Madeleine ‘Maddy’ Ada will be playing for Emmanuel College in Boston later this fall. Ada, a recent graduate from the Academy of Our Lady of Guam, was a three-time ISA/IIAAG all-island basketball player as a guard/forward.
The announcement took place at the AOLG auditorium. Ada, who sat next to her parents Bill and Meagan Ada, announced she will play collegiate basketball for the Emmanuel College Saints. Her season officially starts in January, but she will partake in pre-season games this fall.
According to AOLG coach Arleen Mad, Ada is one of her most hard-working athletes.
“She works on her craft not just once a day, sometimes twice or three times a day, seven days a week,” said Mad. “She can space the floor and shoot threes, and a very important quality she has is her leadership skills.”
Ada was a key player in the Kanto Classic Basketball Tournament in Japan, scoring 18 points in the championship game to help the Cougars win the title in 2025. Her efforts also earned her a spot on the all-tournament first team. Ada plays well on both sides of the court; her versatility is a coach’s dream with her ability to guard any position on defense and play inside or handle the ball on offense.
Ada noted she is excited to start her new chapter and will study Nursing at Emmanuel College.
“I chose Emmanuel College because of its Nursing Program and the college is surrounded by many medical facilities,” she said. “It will be a challenge for me to adjust to the fast-paced city life. Im going to miss the culture here (on Guam) and I will mostly miss my family and friends.”
The Emmanuel College women’s basketball program is one of the most successful NCAA Division III programs in the country. Since becoming a varsity program in 1978, the Saints have built a tradition of sustained excellence under Head Coach Andy Yosinoff, the winningest coach in NCAA Division III women’s basketball history.
Under Yosinoff’s leadership, Emmanuel has made numerous NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the Sweet 16, Elite Eight, and the 2001 Final Four. Competing in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference, the Saints are recognized for combining a winning culture with a strong emphasis on academic achievement, leadership, and community service.
Before heading off to Boston, Ada will compete in one last tournament. She will join her teammates on the Guam Women’s National team, under coach Mad, to play in the 2026 FIBA Micronesian Cup against teams from Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia. The tournament will take place from August 14-16 at the University of Guam Calvo Field House.