Gabriela Solis Drafted to Puerto Rico Pro League

CARLINVILLE, IL -- Former Blackburn College Women's Basketball student-athlete and 2026 graduate, Gabriela Solis, was drafted to the Baloncesto Superior Nacional Femenino, the top professional women's league in Puerto Rico. 

Solis was drafted #10 overall to the Cariduras de Fajardo, an expansion team who will begin play next season. With this pick, she became the first player drafted in team history.

"It feels surreal and I still can't believe it," Solis said. As a Beaver, she joined the team her senior season and was an integral part to the team posting their best season in over 12 years.

"I am so incredibly happy for Gaby," said Head Women's Basketball Coach Allen Dehority. "Gaby came in to our program and was a key figure in our growth. On day one she came in and gave us a new level of leadership, toughness, and intensity. She was an integral part of our success this past season and I know she will do the same thing for her new team. I'm excited to watch her lead her new team!" 

Solis averaged 7.7 points as the team's point guard and led the team with nearly three assists per game and was second with 48 steals. He efforts helped the team to their most points and scoring average since the 1996-97 season. Their scoring average is the third-best in school history. The team also posted their most steals since the 2000-01 season and is fourth in school history. 

She scored double figures six times, including a career best 21 against Lake Forest College. She tallied a career-best seven steals in the team's win over Hilbert College during their trip to Hawaii to compete in the Big Island Classic. The senior guard posted five assists six times throughout the season. Prior to coming to Blackburn, she played at Florida National University.  

Off the court, Solis was a justice administration and psychology major, and served as a resident assistant in Jones Hall. She served as the Black Student Union President and the won the Martin Luther King Student Leadership Award and the Community Service Award at the Beaver Awards, an award celebration held by Blackburn Athletics. 

She is excited to begin her professional journey. "When I was little, my parents used to take me to games and if we went with any type of basketball uniform we would get in for free. Being able to watch them growing up and now to be a part of it, it's crazy! I'm so happy and grateful with this opportunity. I hope to be an inspiration for the girls coming to games and them knowing that one day this could be them too!" 

Cariduras de Fajardo will begin play this coming season with games beginning in mid-September.