PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown University women’s basketball has officially announced its newest team member, signing nine-year-old Grace Ryan through Team IMPACT, Monique LeBlanc, the Elizabeth F. Turner ’98 Coaching Chair for Women’s Basketball, announced on Tuesday evening at an official signing ceremony at the Pizzitola Sports Center.
 
“This is a really exciting day for our women’s basketball program because today is the signing day for our top recruit of the Class of 2035 – Grace Ryan everybody,” LeBlanc said. “In our recruitment of Grace, it was really clear to us that Grace aligned with our core values of no excuses, energy, excellence, and toughness.”
 
Grace, who lives with a serious lung disease officially signed with the team today in the Joukowsky Room at the Pizzitola Sports Center. She will participate in many activities with the Bears including games, practices, and other team events, over the next two years.
 
“I just want to say how lucky and grateful we are to have you join us here today,” junior guard Monét Witherspoon said. “Having you on this team is a huge win for us. We’ve already gotten to know you, and as Coach Mo said, you already fall in with our values and fit in perfectly.”
 
Team IMPACT, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multiyear program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience. 
 
“Something else that we love about Grace – she doesn’t make excuses about anything even when it might be easy to, and she certainly displays toughness,” LeBlanc said. “We know that Grace is going to challenge and inspire all of us to match her level of toughness, and that she’ll keep leading by example.”
 
Brown Athletics has worked with Team IMPACT for over a decade, matching more than 30 children across nearly every sports team.
 
“We are so thrilled to welcome your entire family into our program,” LeBlanc said. “You are 100 percent a part of our family now. We’re just excited to be on this journey with you. Welcome to Brown.”
 

Gallery: (10-13-2026) Women’s Basketball Team IMPACT Signing

 
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT’s unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win, effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 4,000 children with 750+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.

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