HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University Norse women's basketball has added to it's backcourt, as Gaia Castelli signed with the Norse. 

"Gaia is a guard who can really make plays on and off the ball," stated Norse head coach Jeff Hans. "Her quickness and ability to change speeds make her difficult to defend, and she has a natural ability to both score and set up her teammates. Adding a player with international experience brings a different level of maturity to our freshman class."

Castelli, a guard from Castenaso, Italy, most recently competed for Rhodigium Basket Asd, based in Rovigo, Italy, and competing in Serie A2, the second division of the Italian women's basketball championship. In 2025-26, Gaia played in 24 games, averaging 8.2 points, 1.8 assists, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game, while shooting 31.0% from the field, 70.5% from the free throw line, and 26.8% from three.

MORE ABOUT GAIA: Her favorite TV shows are The Summer I Turned Pretty and Grey's Anatomy…Her favorite movies are Anyone But You and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days…Gaia's favorite musicians are The Weeknd and Ariana Grande…Her favorite song is "Nessuno Vuole Essere Robin" by Cesare Cremonini…Her favorite athletes to watch are Stephen Curry, Paige Bueckers, and Kobe Bryant…Her favorite teams are Virtus Bologna, Golden State Warriors, and Bologna FC…Her hobbies include video games, going to the gym, listening to music, and playing sports…Her first job was as a tutor at a summer camp…A bucket list travel destination of Gaia's is the Grand Canyon and the West Coast…Her favorite foods are pizza, sushi, and tortellini…Someone she'd like to meet is Stephen Curry and Ariana Grande…Her nicknames are Gaietta, Iaia, Gaiuz, and Ga.

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