WEST HARTFORD, Conn. –The Hartford women's basketball team has signed one player to a National Letter of Intent, third-year head coach Kim McNeill announced on Tuesday. The Hawks inked Kaela Dothard (Lexington Park, Md.) on Wednesday for the 2019-20 season.
 
"I am extremely excited to announce the signing of Kaela Dothard," said McNeill. "Kaela is a wonderful young lady that will work hard both on and off the court. She has a high basketball IQ and has the ability to stroke the ball from the three-point line. This summer, she played on a competitive AAU circuit and displayed a lot of toughness which obviously fits into our style of play. I'm looking forward to coaching Kaela and helping to continue her growth as a student-athlete."
 
Dothard, a 5-foot-8 guard from Lexington Park, Md., looks to earn her second consecutive WCAC All-Conference selection during her senior season after transferring to Mary's Ryken High School for her junior year. She scored 8.7 points per game and grabbed 4.2 rebounds per game as a junior last season, and was named MVP of the Rose Classic Super Jam after leading the team to the tournament title.
 
Dothard started her high school career at Kings Christian Academy, where she was a two-time MISAL All-Conference selection. She led Eagles to back-to-back Maryland State Christian School Championships and was named to the All-Tournament Team both years.
 
Dothard joins a Hartford squad that is 1-2 to start the 2018-19 season. Hartford wraps up the Preseason Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) on Sunday at New Mexico. Opening tip is 12 p.m.