PITTSBURGH – Pitt women's basketball head coach Tory Verdi announced Tuesday morning that rising junior Mia Simpson will be transferring from Morton College for the 2023-24 campaign. Simpson becomes the third transfer to sign with the Panthers for the upcoming season and she will have two years of eligibility remaining.
 
"Mia is an athletic and speedy guard who can run with the best of them," stated Verdi. "She has a knack for getting downhill and aggressively attacking the basket. We will rely on her to create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. I know that our fans will love her explosive first step and enjoy watching her rebound over some of the best post players in the ACC."
 
Simpson, a 5-8 guard, comes to Pitt following two seasons successful seasons in the junior college ranks at Morton College. The speedy guard appeared in 68 career games while earning 41 starts at point guard across her two seasons while becoming just the third player in Morton College women's basketball history to surpass the 1,000 career point plateau, netting 1,005 points in her impressive career.
 
The Waukegan, IL native helped lead the Panthers to a 64-4 overall record with two conference championships, two Region IV crowns and second and fifth place finishes at nationals during her two year career. Simpson also led all players in NJCAA Division II in field goal percentage twice during her career.
 
As a sophomore, Simpson appeared in all 35 games while earning 32 starts as she averaged a double-double with 17.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 4.0 steals per game while shooting a nation-leading 71.2% from the floor. The electric guard was named Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Most Valuable Player, Region IV Tournament Most Valuable Player and World Exposure Report NJCAA Division II Sophomore Player of the Year. She also helped lead her squad to a 34-1 overall record while earning a fifth place finish at nationals.
 
Overall, Simpson ranked inside the top-10 nationally in four different categories - No. 1 in FG% (71.2%), No. 2 in steals (141), No. 3 in total rebounds (404) and No. 8 in points (608). She capped her second season posting 26 double-doubles while scoring in double figures 31 times including 10 games with 20+ points. Posted 26 games with 10+ rebounds including a pair of games with 20 rebounds. Posted the best game of her career in the Region IV title game win over No. 9 Rock Valley as she finished with a career-high 38 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals while going 18-for-24 from the floor.
 
As a freshman, Simpson appeared in 33 games while earning nine starts as she helped lead the squad to a 30-3 overall record and second place finish at nationals. She finished her freshman season averaging 12.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 steals while leading the nation in field goal percentage (64.2%) and earning Second Team All-Skyway Collegiate Conference honors. She capped her first season scoring in double figures 25 times while snagging at least 10 rebounds in four games.
 
Simpson is the third signee for Verdi joining Jala Jordan (Seton Hall) and Bella Perkins (USC). Simpson will be added to a Pitt backcourt that features Perkins and sophomores Marley Washenitz and Aislin Malcolm for the 2023-24 campaign.
 
 
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