FSU sports information:
Florida State women’s basketball head coach Brooke Wyckoff announced the signing of Mari Gerton and Pania Davis, who will join the Seminoles for the 2025-26 season.
Considered one of the best combo guards in Ohio, Gerton was named the District 16 Player of the Year in 2024 after averaging 21.6 points and 3.1 assists per game for Princeton High School in Cincinnati.
Gerton notched 12 games with three or more steals and 14 games with 20 or more points as a junior. She was named to the 2024 All-Ohio Girls Basketball First Team and is currently ranked the No. 4 player in the state of Ohio 2025 class, according to Prep Girls Hoops.
As a sophomore, Gerton averaged 12.9 points per game and capped off a successful season in the 2024 Division I state semifinal game where she led the Vikings to victory with 25 points. Gerton led Princeton to the state title in 2023 and was named a special mention for the All-Ohio high school girls basketball teams for Division I.
Gerton played for renowned Ohio AAU program, Legends U. She topped off a very successful AAU career as P24 U17 National Champions in July 2024. The Collegiate Girls Basketball Report has Gerton ranked 31st nationally in the 2025 class, stating that she is an, “athletic lead-guard with confident floor game handles and attacks in transition; tough to contain, best in up-tempo; changes pace, freezes the defense and finds the rim with regularity.”
“We are thrilled to announce the signing of Mari Gerton to our Florida State women's basketball program,” Wyckoff said. “Mari is a skilled, agile guard who fits our offensive and defensive system perfectly with her ability to handle the ball, shoot the three and defend quick, athletic opponents. Mari has won and competed in several championship games in her high school and AAU career and is a proven winner. She is also a person of high character who excels in the classroom and will be an impactful addition to our roster next season. I am looking forward to welcoming Mari to our team next season!”
As the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report No. 1-rated junior college player in the nation, Davis is originally from Perth, Australia and currently playing at New Mexico Junior College. This season she is averaging 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. She will have two years of eligibility remaining after this season.
Davis was named the WJCAC Freshman of the Year in 2023-24. She started in all 32 games she played, averaging 13.6 points per game, while helping the Thunderbirds to a 27-7 record. As a freshman, Davis shot 52.2 percent from the floor, while contributing 434 points and registered six 20+ scoring games. As a rebounder, Davis tallied 318 total rebounds, averaging 9.9 per game. She also added 95 blocks and 43 steals.
Davis led the T-Birds to the ninth WJCAC title in program history in 2024 after defeating Clarendon College 100-84, where she added her 13th double-double of the season, with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Davis was named to the NJCAA All-Tournament Team.
Prior to New Mexico Junior College, Davis played for the Rockingham Flames, an NBL1 West club in Western Australia, where she shot 61.1 percent in 2022.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce the signing of junior college standout, Pania Davis,” Wyckoff said. “Pania brings a wealth of experience at the highest level of junior college competition and her height, athleticism and scoring ability will be a critical factor in our success next season. She is a versatile post player who can score at all three levels, handle the ball and is an excellent passer. Her ability to rim protect and guard multiple positions is a perfect complement to our roster on the defensive end as well. Pania is a leader and amazing teammate, and I know our fans will enjoy watching her on the court next season!”
The Seminoles (2-1) will host Samford (0-3) on Nov. 14 for Seminole Heritage at 6 p.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Center.
