IRVINE, Calif. - The 2017-18 UC Irvine women's basketball team will feature 10 newcomers with five true freshmen and five returning redshirts suiting up in an Anteater uniform for the first time. Fans can get to know each of these student-athletes through our Meet the Newcomers series which continues this week with freshman guard Dani Guglielmo.




#20 DANI GUGLIELMO
Year: Freshman
Position: Guard
Height: 5-9
Hometown: Los Gatos, Calif. (Archbishop Mitty HS)
Major: Undeclared


1. The Early Years
Some of Dani's earliest memories involve basketball. She remembers dribbling a ball as early as two years old, and when she turned five, her parents put her in a YMCA league. From that moment she fell in love with the game, and that love never wavered, even growing up as a two-sport athlete.
 
"I played soccer up until middle school," Guglielmo said. "I actually wanted to play both sports in high school, but the seasons conflicted. I talked to my parents about it and decided that I loved basketball more. I knew I wanted to play at the Division I level, so I'm thankful that my parents were supportive and that I had a great high school coach who helped and pushed me to get here."
 
It's no surprise Dani was introduced to sports at such a young age as she comes from an athletic family with her mother and cousins playing basketball, and her older brother playing football.

 
2. Highs & Lows
Dani definitely made the right choice to continue basketball at Archbishop Mitty High School. She was a four-year varsity letterwinner and two-time all-league selection. She helped the Monarchs to three NorCal, Central Coast Section and West Catholic Athletic League titles, as well as three appearances in the state finals. Her best moment at Mitty came during her sophomore year when they won the CIF Division II State championship.
 
"Winning the state championship my sophomore year of high school was awesome," Guglielmo said. "My first year, the four freshmen on the team talked about wanting to win state every single year. Freshman year, we went to the final and lost, so that was tough, but then sophomore year we were able to make it back and win. It was amazing because all of the hard work paid off."
 
Although Dani saw a lot of success on the court, it wasn't always a smooth road. While she was dealing with the loss of her aunt, Dani also had the sport she loved taken away from her with a knee injury, but she was able to lean on her family and teammates to get through the tough times.
 
"It was rough," Guglielmo said. "It was the middle of season and I was upset because my aunt passed away and because of my knee. That was tough to overcome, but I just dove into my rehab and really focused on that. My teammates and coaches were great. They were understanding, and knew I still wanted to be there because that is what would help me out. My parents and brother also came together to get through it."


3. An Easy Choice
During the recruiting process, Dani was also looking at a couple schools on the East Coast, but everything she wanted was at UC Irvine.
 
"I had known the coaches from when they were at New Mexico State, and I loved them," Guglielmo said. "When they moved here and I visited, I also loved the team. They were really nice and fun, but were intense and worked hard. And the area is just great; I have family around here in Southern California. I also really liked the potential of where the program is going."
 
The decision was easy, but the road to UC Irvine and an NCAA Division I basketball career required the help and support of family, friends and coaches.
 
"My parents were really helpful," Guglielmo said. "They always supported me and pushed me to do things that were out of my comfort zone. They also supported me with club, and all the time and money that goes into that. My brother was always pushing me to be better, playing one-on-one with him. And, my coaches and trainers helped me get here, working with me on my skills and improving my weaknesses."

 

MORE ABOUT DANI…
Hobbies off the court
I love to bake. I can't really cook, but I enjoy baking because it's like a science.
 
Favorite song
Alone With You by Jake Owen
 
Favorite sports team
San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors
 
If you weren't playing basketball, what would you be doing?
I would say I'd probably be playing soccer. I played defender and mid.
 
Why did you choose #20?
In high school I was #23, which I liked. Then, coming here there were a couple numbers available and I thought 20 would be fun and different. It would be a new start and new number.
 
What are you looking forward to in your freshman season?
I'm looking forward to coming together as a team and really pushing to go as far as we can, and win as many games as we can. I want to improve on last year's record and just get better every day.
 
 
MEET THE NEWCOMERS SERIES
Deijah Blanks
Haleigh Talbert
Yazzy Sa'Dullah
Tahlia Garza
Morgan Green
Jordan Sanders
Lauren Saiki