OMAHA, Neb. – College of Saint Mary is excited to announce that Gianna DeForest has signed to continue her basketball career with the school in the 2026-27 academic year.

DeForest is the daughter of Daniel and Jennifer DeForest and a 2024 graduate of Tustin High School in Tustin, Calif. She has spent the past two years at Irvine Valley College in Irvine, Calif.

CSM Coach Markell Cox said the 5-foot-10 DeForest will compete at center and power forward.

"One thing that stood out throughout the recruiting process was Gianna's competitive spirit,'' he said. "She plays hard, rebounds her position and brings a level of maturity that comes from being part of a successful junior college program.''

At Tustin, DeForest was a second-team All-Empire League selection as a junior and a first-team pick as a senior. At Irvine Valley, she earned second-team All-Orange Empire Conference honors this past season, helping her team to a 26-5 record.

"We wanted to add players who understand winning, and Gianna checks that box,'' Cox said. "She brings experience, physicality and a team-first mindset that fits exactly what we're building at College of Saint Mary.''

In her free time, DeForest enjoys going to the gym, hiking, swimming and singing. She chose CSM for "the basketball program and law program.''