DeLAND, Fla. — Incoming Stetson women's basketball freshman Desireck "Dessy" Nieves helped Puerto Rico complete an undefeated run and capture the women's basketball gold medal at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Puerto Rico defeated Mexico, 57-44, in Sunday's championship game to secure its second gold medal in the event and its first since 2010.
Nieves appeared in all five games during Puerto Rico's perfect 5-0 tournament run, averaging 8.0 points and 1.4 assists per contest. She shot 41.7 percent from the field, including 52.9 percent on two-point attempts, and connected on six three-pointers.
The Kissimmee, Florida, product opened the tournament with eight points and four assists in a 63-35 victory over Nicaragua. She followed with consecutive 11-point performances as Puerto Rico defeated Panama, 70-61, and Costa Rica, 86-46.
Against Panama, Nieves shot 5-for-9 from the field and made five of her six two-point attempts. She then connected on three three-pointers in the victory over Costa Rica.
Puerto Rico advanced to the championship game with a 60-47 semifinal victory over the Dominican Republic. Nieves contributed five points on 2-of-3 shooting, including a three-pointer, while adding an assist.
She scored five more points in the gold-medal victory over Mexico, knocking down a three-pointer and converting two free throws as Puerto Rico held its opponent to four points in the second quarter and 44 for the game.
Across the five contests, Nieves totaled 40 points, seven assists and six made three-pointers. Puerto Rico earned group-stage victories over Nicaragua, Panama and Costa Rica before defeating the Dominican Republic and Mexico in the medal round.
Nieves joins the Hatters after attending Central Pointe Christian Academy, where she earned SIAA All-Star honors in 2025 and 2026 and was named the 2026 NISSAA Most Valuable Player.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
