FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason University women's basketball head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis has announced the addition of Nalani Lyde to the 2022-23 roster. 
 
Lyde, a multi-sport athlete from the DMV, finished a three-year tour with the Charlotte women's volleyball team in 2021-22. She will have three years of eligibility remaining with the Patriot women's basketball program. 

"We are excited to welcome Nalani back to the DMV," said Blair-Lewis. "Her athleticism and relentless rebounding ability will be a welcomed addition to our front court. She can finish around the rim and attack the basket from the outside while also being able to knock down a jump shot from the outside consistently. Her ability to run the floor and defend will make her a formidable presence inside."

The 6-foot-2 forward played basketball at national powerhouse Sidwell Friends High School in Washington, D.C. She totaled 1,035 points and 1,300 rebounds, averaging a double-double in three straight seasons for the Quakers. 
 
As a senior, she averaged 12.0 points and 13.6 rebounds per outing. She posted 10+ rebounds in all but one game and recorded 16 double-digit scoring performances. 
 
Lyde averaged 14.7 rebounds as a junior. She grabbed 20+ rebounds four times, including a personal-best 26 boards against Connelly School of the Holy Child. 
 
A native of Washington, D.C., Lyde celebrated a decorated basketball career where she earned All-State, All-League and All-Met accolades. She also was named First Team All-USA Today. She won similar awards with the Quakers' volleyball and track & field programs. 
 
The outside hitter played in 73 matches and 264 sets over three seasons with Charlotte (2019-21). She tallied 520 kills, 259 digs and 169 blocks in her career. She was named to the Charlotte Invitational All-Tournament Team and NCCSIA All-State. 
 
Lyde joins Mason's incoming class that features transfers Trey Kenndy (Binghamton, N.Y.), Riley Childs (Medway, Mass.) and Sonia Smith (Upper Marlboro, Md.), and incoming freshmen Nekhu Mitchell (Owings Mills, Md.) and ZaZa Walton (Seattle, Wash.).