COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Maryland women's basketball head coach
Brenda Frese officially signed Nicole Fritea (NEE-cole FREE-tay-a) from Romania to the roster for the 2025-26 season Thursday.
NICOLE FRITEA
Forward • 6-2
Freshman
Arad, Romania • CSU Oradea
- Member of the U18 and U20 Romanian National Teams
- Had highest efficiency numbers on Romanian national team and led national team in rebounding
- Two-time best rebounder in U18 and U19 championships in Romania
- Two-time Top 5 in U18 and U19 championships in Romania
- Competed in the 2024 EuroBasket qualifiers, where she averaged 5.6 points, 7.4 rebounds
Frese on Fritea: "Nicole comes to Maryland from Romania. She's a talented young player with good athletic ability. She's shown she can rebound and block some shots. She's got good hands and can finish in traffic with a soft touch around the rim. I love how she runs the floor and she should be able to attack off the dribble. An underrated quality we saw is she seems to have the ability to draw fouls and get to the free throw line. Nicole's best basketball is ahead of her and we want to help her develop it. She seems to be a true team player and tries to make everyone around her better. That should fit in with us well."
Fritea on Maryland: "I chose the University of Maryland because it gives me the opportunity to study in a top academic environment while continuing my athletic career at a high level. Basketball is an essential part of my life, and being able to join a team with such a rich history supports my dream of reaching places I never thought I could get to so quickly. For me, Maryland is the place where I can grow, learn, and build the future I truly want.I am truly grateful to have this opportunity, and I deeply appreciate all the support I've received from the team's staff. Their guidance and encouragement mean a lot to me and that gives me even more motivation to give my best every single day."
