FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball program has announced the addition of Shannel Kovalsky, a power forward from Fairbanks, Alaska. Kovalsky spent last season with Bellevue College in the NWAC. 

"We're thrilled to welcome Shannel back home to Fairbanks," said head coach Michael Ricks. "She had an outstanding freshman season at Bellevue College and established herself as one of the top players in her conference. Shannel brings size, physicality, and a strong presence around the basket, and we believe she has the potential to make a significant impact in our program." Kovalsky graduated from Monroe Catholic High School in 2025. There, she built an impressive legacy with the Rams. During her four seasons, the team qualified for the Alaska State Tournament every year, won at least 20 games each season, and never finished lower than fifth in the state tournament. In addition to the strong postseason runs, Kovalsky was a First Team All-State ASAA 3A selection in her junior and senior seasons, and a career 1000-point scorer. 

This led her to Bellevue College for one season. This past year, Kovalsky played in 25 games, making 23 starts for the Bulldogs. The 5-11 power forward posted 11.3 points per game while shooting 48.8% from the floor. She added 7.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and nearly one block and assist per game. She had 16 double-digit scoring performances last season, including a career-high 25 points at Everett Community College on Jan. 10, 2026, in a 27-point victory. She went 12-17 from the floor and added 12 rebounds. She had five games of 10+ rebounds last year, including a career-high 13 on Dec. 12, 2025, at Linn-Benton. 

Bellevue finished 15-14, 10-4 NWAC North and qualified for the NWAC Championships before falling in the Sweet 16. Kovalsky was named the NWAC North Region Freshman of the Year and earned All-Region First Team honors as voted by the NWAC North Region coaches. 

"Coming home to play basketball means everything to me," said Shannel Kovalsky after her signing. "The game has taken me so many places and opened so many doors, but nothing compares to the opportunity to represent where I'm from. I'm excited and grateful to be part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks basketball program, because no matter where basketball takes me, nothing is like home!"

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