Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Adds Jess Sancataldo to 2018 Class
11/16/2017 9:50:00 AM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern head women's basketball coach Joe McKeown announced Thursday that Jess Sancataldo (Sydney, Australia/Turamurra) has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Wildcats in 2018.
Sancataldo joins Sydney Wood, Veronica Burton, and Courtney Shaw to complete the four-person class of 2022.
"We are really excited to have Jess become part of the Wildcats family," McKeown said. "She is an outstanding student-athlete who will be a great fit at Northwestern on and off the court. She has a burning desire to be a great player and a great teammate, qualities that we place a high emphasis on in our program. She comes from a great family and from a country where basketball is played at a very high level."
The Sydney, Australia, native averaged 24.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last year as a junior. She also played for the Men's A Grade basketball team in 2017 and scored 13 points in her first game. In addition to basketball, Sancataldo is a national champion European handball player, and she competed in field hockey, track and field, and cross country.
Jess Sancataldo
6'0 * Guard
Sydney, Australia/Turamurra High School
High School: Four-year varsity team captain … Averaged 24.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists per game as a junior … two-time team MVP … AAU team (AUSA Gold) was champions of Adidas Gauntlet Finale … Scored 7 points in overtime as AAU team overcame 23-point deficit to defeat Arizona Elite in the Super 64 Tournament … Tallied 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists to lead Australian Club team to victory over top team on the ladder despite only having 6 players … Played for Men's A Grade Basketball team in 2017, scoring 13 points and registering a block in her first game … Sydney North High School Regional team … Competed in New South Wales All Schools National Championships in 2017 … NSW Under 20 team received silver medal at national championships in 2017 … European handball women's open team captain in 2016, co-coach in 2017 … Was European Handball State Championships top goal scorer in 2016, en route to winning the national championship … Competed for European Handball Australian Under-21 National Team and Beach Handball Australian National Team … Cross country champion in 2015 … Recipient of Caltex School All-Rounder of the Year for combined sport and academic excellence … Also competed in javelin, high jump, and field hockey.
Personal: Born Jessica Rose Sancataldo … Parents are Sharon Watt and Gerry Sancataldo … Anticipated major is Architectural Engineering and Design.
Sancataldo joins Sydney Wood, Veronica Burton, and Courtney Shaw to complete the four-person class of 2022.
"We are really excited to have Jess become part of the Wildcats family," McKeown said. "She is an outstanding student-athlete who will be a great fit at Northwestern on and off the court. She has a burning desire to be a great player and a great teammate, qualities that we place a high emphasis on in our program. She comes from a great family and from a country where basketball is played at a very high level."
The Sydney, Australia, native averaged 24.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last year as a junior. She also played for the Men's A Grade basketball team in 2017 and scored 13 points in her first game. In addition to basketball, Sancataldo is a national champion European handball player, and she competed in field hockey, track and field, and cross country.
Jess Sancataldo
6'0 * Guard
Sydney, Australia/Turamurra High School
High School: Four-year varsity team captain … Averaged 24.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists per game as a junior … two-time team MVP … AAU team (AUSA Gold) was champions of Adidas Gauntlet Finale … Scored 7 points in overtime as AAU team overcame 23-point deficit to defeat Arizona Elite in the Super 64 Tournament … Tallied 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists to lead Australian Club team to victory over top team on the ladder despite only having 6 players … Played for Men's A Grade Basketball team in 2017, scoring 13 points and registering a block in her first game … Sydney North High School Regional team … Competed in New South Wales All Schools National Championships in 2017 … NSW Under 20 team received silver medal at national championships in 2017 … European handball women's open team captain in 2016, co-coach in 2017 … Was European Handball State Championships top goal scorer in 2016, en route to winning the national championship … Competed for European Handball Australian Under-21 National Team and Beach Handball Australian National Team … Cross country champion in 2015 … Recipient of Caltex School All-Rounder of the Year for combined sport and academic excellence … Also competed in javelin, high jump, and field hockey.
Personal: Born Jessica Rose Sancataldo … Parents are Sharon Watt and Gerry Sancataldo … Anticipated major is Architectural Engineering and Design.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Women's Basketball - Loyola Chicago Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, December 18
Women's Basketball - Ohio State Postgame Press Conference (12/7/2025)
Sunday, December 07
Women's Basketball - Kansas Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 04
Women's Basketball - ’Cats Battle Back To Win Fifth Straight Over Cleveland State, 75-68 (11/21/25)
Saturday, November 22
