Maryland women’s basketball adds Slovenian guard for 2025-26 season

Maryland women's basketball and head coach Brenda Frese announced Wednesday the third transfer portal addition of the offseason in Lea Bartelme, a 5-foot-8 guard from Kisovec, Slovenia who now plans to bring her international talent to College Park.

Since 2023, the 19-year-old has played for the Slovenian National Team. From 2019 to 2025, Bartelme played for Cinkarna Celje in the Women’s Adriatic Basketball Association(WABA).

Both in 2024 and 2025, Bartelme was named to the All Star 5 for the WABA league. She also has multiple league championships under her belt. In 2022, 2023, and 2025 Bartelme’s team won the WABA. Her 2025 season, the team finished as a runner-up.

In her most recent season with Cinkarna Celje, Bartelme averaged 12.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, which led the league in assists.

“She has a really high IQ and has been tested at the international level. She’s a versatile player that displayed the ability to knock down the three and attack the basket," Frese said via release.

"Maryland offers excellent conditions for both academic and athletic development, and with their true long-standing tradition of success, I truly believe this is the right step forward for my personal and professional growth," Bartelme added. "I'm looking forward to what's ahead and can't wait to start this new chapter.

With already two portal transfers and now Bartelme’s commitment this week, the Terps are beginning to swiftly fill the void after departing guards Shyanne Sellers and Sarah Te-Biasu concluded their final season with Maryland.

By: Brinkley Smith

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