The North Dakota State women’s basketball program has announced the resignation assistant coach-recruiting coordinator Morgan Paige, as Paige is set to pursue other coaching opportunities.

Paige recently completed her fifth year on the staff, and second under Collins. She added the recruiting coordinator title in the summer of 2019.

“It’s always hard to lose an assistant who has done an awesome job for you, but Morgan has earned a great opportunity, and we’re very excited for her,” Collins said. “I’m very grateful she stayed on staff two years ago. She was terrific in getting me up to speed on day to day operations. At the same time, she served as a bridge for returning players that first year and made the transition as smooth as possible to a new coaching staff.”

Prior to joining the Bison, Paige spent a year as a graduate assistant at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where she helped extensively with the video editing systems, community relations, player development and on-campus recruiting.

“I want to thank NDSU for the opportunity to start my coaching career,” Paige said. “I have grown up as a coach, and as a person, within this athletic department. I am so thankful to Jory for welcoming me into his family with open arms, and his support and encouragement in my professional growth has brought me to where I am today.”

A native of Marion, Iowa, Paige was a four-year letterwinner and starter for the University of Wisconsin Badger women’s basketball team. She was a third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2013. Paige became the 23rd Badger to reach 1,000 career points in her senior season and currently ranks 18th in school history with 1,230 career points.

Bison add Gabby Forde to recruiting class

In other NDSU women’s basketball news, coach Collins has announced another signing for the class of 2021.

The Bison have added Gabby Forde, a 6-3 forward from Brampton, Ontario, to the recruiting class. During the fall signing period, NDSU added Ellie Dague, a 5-10 guard from Minnesota, Katie Hildebrandt, a 6-2 forward from Wisconsin, Abbey Kubas, a 5-11 forward from Dickinson and Sophie Olson, a 5-10 guard-forward from California. All five will start at NDSU in the fall of 2021.

“We are very excited to announce the addition of Gabby Forde,” coach Collins said. “Gabby is 6-3 and very long and athletic. Along with her size, she is very skilled as well. She has the ability to put the ball on the floor and also stretch the floor with her three ball. The game is getting more skilled and Gabby fits that mold really well. I expect her to become a very versatile post player with a face up game that allows her to score inside and out.”