SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara women's basketball has added a pair of transfers from New Mexico. Guard Joana Magalhaes and forward Emma Najjuma will both join the program with two years of eligibility remaining.
"We are so excited to welcome Emma and Joana to the Bronco family," Santa Clara head coach Loree Payne said. "Emma is an exceptionally athletic post who will strengthen our front court with her rebounding and rim protection. Joana is a dynamic, high-speed guard who can also stretch the floor from three. She will elevate our offensive pace and bring a tenacious presence on the defensive end. Each has experienced both individual achievement and team success at their previous institution, and they know what it takes to perform at a high level on and off the court."
Joana Magalhaes | 5-5 | G | Lisbon, Portugal | New Mexico
Magalhaes played in 30 games with 28 starts as a captain last season for the Lobos. She averaged 8.7 ppg and finished second on the team with 49 steals while also adding 51 assists.
As a freshman, Magalhaes was named to the Mountain West All-Freshman Team after appeared in 32 games and made 20 points while averaging 7.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, and 1.4 spg. She scored in double-figures 11 times with a season-high of 20 and recorded a steal in 22 games with multiple 14 times.
Magalhaes graduated fro Quinta Do Marques and played fro CRC Quinta Dos Lombos where she helped them win the National Championship in 2023-24. She also won a championship at Quinta Do Marques in 2021-22 and was named one of the five best players of the championship.
Emma Najjuma | 6-4 | F | Mukono Seeta, Uganda | New Mexico
Najjuma appeared in 32 games and started nine times during the 2025-26 season. She scored 3.2 ppg while shooting 64.8-percent from the field and pulling down 6.3 rpg. Najjuma also led the Lobos with 21 blocks.
Prior to New Mexico, Najjuma played one year at New Mexico Junior College after redshirting her freshman year in 2023-24. For the Thunderbirds, Najjuma played in 34 games with three starts and averaged 5.4 ppg on 51.7-percent shooting, 6.9 rpg, and 0.8 bpg. She scored in double-figures three times and grabbed double-digit rebounds six times, posting a 23-point, 20-rebound double-double.
Najjuma played for Uganda National Team the 2023 FIBA Women's Afro Basket. She also played for the Uganda National Team at the 2019 FIBA U16 Women's AfroBasket where she averaged 17.8 ppg, 28.0 rpg, 5.5 bpg, and 1.8 spg and was named an All-Star Five selection. In the quarterfinals against Mozambique, she scored 33 points with 49 rebounds and 13 blocks for the triple-double. In 2019, Najjuma was selected to the NBA Academy Africa Women's Program Training Camp.
She graduated from Christchurch School in Richmond, Virginia in 2022.
