Emily Esposito (GHS ’17) is heading to the Boston University Terriers as a new member of the 2019/2020 team. Esposito capped off her senior year at GHS as part of the GHS Lady Rams championship team in 2017. There were many suitors vying for the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year and Miss Maine Basketball recipient, but Esposito ultimately chose Villanova as her landing spot.
While she was successful on the court after being a red-shirt freshman, playing in all 32 games for the Wildcats her sophomore year, Esposito felt it was a struggle. “In terms of basketball there were many adjustments I needed to make to my game to prove that I could play at that level,” she said. With the help of a couple of teammates she said she was able to contribute in her first year of eligibility. “I saw about 20 minutes of playing time a game and several times I thought that it was more time than I deserved.”
“Toward the end of the season I even started a couple of games,” she said. The first game she started was against ODU (Old Dominion) in the WNIT. “My mom and some of my best friends were there but I didn’t feel any nerves, and to be honest, I think a major part was because by this time I knew in my heart that I was for sure transferring. Therefore, I decided for the first time in my college career that I was going to just play carefree like I did in high school.”
Esposito never thought that she would have had a career high of 27 points in her first year. “However, the best part of that game was that I got to share it with my mom and my best friend,” she said.
Esposito’s high school coach, Laughn Berthiaume, shared, “Emily was very successful at Villanova. She made the Big East All Freshmen Team and in the first round of the WNIT, she played 42 minutes and scored a career high 27 points, including seven three pointers. She certainly solidified her standing with the team and had proven she can play with anyone.” Ultimately, there was something missing. “She wasn’t feeling the same joy for the game that she had grown up with and she was considering another major that she wanted to pursue,” Berthiaume said.
Photo courtesy of BUEmily Esposito, #21, is shown with Boston University’s head coach Marisa Moseley.
Esposito wants to be clear that she isn’t “bashing” Villanova. “When I made my decision to go to Villanova I was an immature 17 year old,” she said. In her first recruiting process she said she never took into consideration a life without basketball. “After two years at Villanova, I simply wasn’t enjoying what I was studying or basketball and that’s when I knew that I needed to make a change.”
After confiding in her three biggest role models, Allie Clement, Jannah Tucker, and of course her mom, Esposito made the final decision to put her name in the transfer portal. “The decision needed to be mine and mine alone,” she said. It was a decision that she said almost ended with quitting the sport she grew up loving. “From there I reevaluated what was important to me and so for the first time in my life I made a decision for Emily the person instead of just Emily the athlete.”
When looking for a place to transfer, Esposito wanted a school that had more science based majors that she could choose from. She was also looking a program that had good team chemistry and a passionate coach. “When I came for my visit (at Boston University) I felt like the girls genuinely cared for one another and as for Coach (Marisa) Moseley I knew right away that she was going to be a coach that would push me to be a better player, leader, and person.” Esposito said it’s also a bonus that BU is so close to home.
Marisa Moseley (who is entering her second year as coach) said, “When we saw that Emily had entered the portal, some of my assistants were familiar with her from her initial recruiting process the first go round and knew she was a very talented player. Coming from a program like Villanova, I knew that she had been taught how to play, so I was intrigued to learn more about Emily as a person.”
According to NCAA transfer rules, Esposito must sit out a season. Though she is appealing that decision, she said, “No matter if I can or cannot play I am just looking forward to being a part of an up and coming program. I want to be able to contribute in whatever way they need me to. Whether that means having tons of energy on the bench and encouraging my teammates or being a scorer if that’s what they need.”
Esposito looks forward to enjoying her college experience and the game again. “It is incredibly difficult to play a Division I sport when you’ve lost the passion you once had. With that being said, I know it will be helpful to have friends and family close and able to attend many games.”
Berthiaume added, “I am extremely happy for her. It is very difficult to make such a big decision, but it is about her pursuing what is going to make her happy. I am very excited to get an opportunity to see her play in Boston.”
According to Moseley, if Esposito is to sit out for the upcoming season, she would still have two years remaining as a Terrier. She would be allowed to practice with the team and attend all home games sitting on the bench. “Emily has been a great addition to our team. She immediately ingratiated herself into the group and it feels as if she has been here for years. I am excited for her future as a Terrier,” Moseley said.
“I have been down here for almost a full summer session now and can’t thank the Boston University coaching staff and team enough for taking me in and allowing me to be part of their program.”