Megan Duffy and Virginia Tech signed Špela Brecelj from Slovenia. (Jon Fleming)

Virginia Tech women’s basketball announced the signing of Špela Brecelj (pronounced SHPEH-lah BREH-tsl-y) on Thursday.

She hails from Ajdovščina, Slovenia, and brings versatility at 6-foot-2, though she’s more of a traditional frontcourt player. She’s the fourth member of the Hokies’ freshman class for the upcoming season, joining Amani Jenkins, Kate Sears and Aniya Trent.

“We are thrilled to welcome Špela to our Virginia Tech women’s basketball team,” Tech head coach Megan Duffy said in the program’s release. “Her experience playing all across Europe for the Slovenian national team has been impressive to follow. Špela is a versatile player that can play multiple positions and will bring a great work ethic and passion for the game to Hokie Nation.”

Brecelj comes to Blacksburg by way of Kortrijk, Belgium, where she averaged 8.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in the country’s top league in 2024-25. She also shot 47.5 percent (76-of-160) from the field and 76.5 percent (39-of-51) from the foul line. In 24 appearances, she had 11 double-figure performances, three of which were double-doubles.

She also played for her country at the U20 EuroBasket this summer in Senhora da Hora, Portugal. Brecelj averaged 4.1 points and 5.3 rebounds over seven games, which included an eight-point, nine-board outing vs. France.

Moreover, she trained with the senior national team in preparation for the EuroBasket 2025. She won a gold medal in 2022 with the U18 squad and two more in 2023 with the U18 and U20 teams.

Brecelj gives the Hokies 13 scholarship players for the 2025-26 season and provides some flexibility and experience. Tech returns Carys Baker and Kayl Petersen in the frontcourt and added Texas Tech’s Kilah Freelon and freshmen Amani Jenkins and Aniya Trent.

Europeans to play for the Hokies in the last decade include Matilda Ekh (Sweden), Alex Obouh Fegue (France) and Regan Magarity (Sweden).

Here is a look at the roster for the upcoming year: