Michigan State Adds Three International Freshmen
The Spartans' 2026-27 women's basketball class features players from Australia and France, continuing a recruiting approach built on overseas relationships.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Basketball
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Michigan State women's basketball has signed three international freshmen for the 2026-27 season: Monique Bobongie from Australia, and Kathy-Emma Otto and Emma Broliron from France. The program also has five newcomers with international roots and is a finalist for 2027 Australian recruit Jemyma Manyok.
Why it matters
Michigan State values international players for their passing, unselfish play, and team-setting upbringing, which fit the style the program wants to play. Assistant coach Joel Whymer has led the overseas search through frequent trips and relationships built abroad.
Michigan State has added three international freshmen and five newcomers with international roots to its roster. Whymer has made more than 10 recruiting trips overseas in recent years, though how those trips translate to playing time is not yet known.
The players
Robyn Fralick
Fralick is the head coach of Michigan State women's basketball, who said international players are serious about the game and skilled at playing without the ball.
Joel Whymer
Whymer is a Michigan State assistant coach who has led the program's overseas recruiting through trips and international relationships.
The details
Monique Bobongie and Kathy-Emma Otto started for Michigan State in its exhibition game, and Emma Broliron is expected to be a factor. Colorado transfer Tabitha Betson and South Georgia Technical College transfer Uche Kaine add further international depth.
Timeline
Tuesday, Nov. 3: Michigan State opens its season at home against Valparaiso.
2024: Inês Sotelo from Spain joined the program, later transferring to Stanford.
2025: Sara Sambolić from Slovenia joined the recruiting class.
2027: Jemyma Manyok, an Australian recruit, has Michigan State as a finalist.
Season Trajectory
Michigan State's recent classes have repeatedly drawn players from Spain, Slovenia, France, and Australia, extending a program-wide reliance on overseas recruiting. The approach ties the roster to the international talent pipeline that has become a regular feature of college women's basketball.
Fans following the program can track the three international freshmen as they enter the rotation during the Spartans' home opener against Valparaiso. Those tracking the 2027 class should watch whether Manyok commits to Michigan State.
The takeaway
Michigan State's international recruiting shows how overseas relationships can build a roster around a particular style of play. Watching how these freshmen develop will show whether that approach translates to results on the court.
What happens next
Michigan State opens its season at home against Valparaiso on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Further reading
Explore more East Lansing Basketball coverage for context on the Spartans' roster moves.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lansing State Journal.
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Should college programs recruit more international athletes instead of American players?
