LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Hope Sivori, the 2021 Conference USA co-Freshman of the Year, has signed with the Bellarmine University women's basketball team after transferring from Western Kentucky, Knights Head Coach Chancellor Dugan announced Thursday.

A 5-foot-5 guard and product of Mercy Academy in Louisville, Sivori will have two years of eligibility remaining with Bellarmine as she pursues an MBA. She will bring a wealth of seasoning to the Knights' backcourt after appearing in 85 games for the Lady Toppers.

"We are so excited to welcome Hope to Bellarmine," Dugan said. "She brings a great enthusiasm and experience. I love how she plays with so much heart. She will have an immediate impact, and I look forward to coaching her!"

Dugan's interest in Sivori dates back to her freshman year at Mercy. Sivori said her first college offer came from Bellarmine.

"Timing is everything," said Sivori, whose uncle, Chip Sivori, is a Knights men's basketball alum. "It may not have worked out after high school, but it has now. I'm excited to see what we can do together."

Sivori made her presence felt from the get-go at Western Kentucky. In 2020-21, she was honored as the C-USA co-Freshman of the Year and recognized on the C-USA All-Freshmen Team after averaging 9.6 points, 4.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds over 23 games. WKU played Bellarmine that season, and Sivori delivered a standout performance with 15 points, 11 assists and five rebounds.

Last season, Sivori appeared in all 33 games while averaging 8.0 points for WKU, which advanced to the C-USA Tournament championship game and earned a berth in the WNIT. Becoming a bigger threat from 3-point range each season, she knocked down a career-high 52 3-pointers while shooting 36.4 percent from long range. Sivori buried a season-best five 3-pointers while scoring a season-high 22 points in a December win over Indiana State.

In her three years at Western Kentucky, Sivori averaged 8.2 points, 2.0 assists, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals while sinking 120 3-pointers. She averaged nearly 21 minutes per game in that span while playing shooting guard after being a point guard in high school.

From a position standpoint, she wants to lean on her versatility and provide the Knights options.

"Really, wherever you need me," Sivori said. "I have a lot of flexibility. I'm just excited with the personnel they have already. I think we can make some noise."

Sivori has been an exemplary student — she's been a fixture on the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll — and Bellarmine's academic reputation was another aspect of its appeal.

"The face Bellarmine has in the Louisville community is very powerful," Sivori said.

Prior to her time at WKU, Sivori averaged 18.4 points per game as a senior at Mercy, leading her team to back-to-back 6th Region titles in 2018 and 2019, including a trip to the state championship game in the former year. She earned All-Region honors and was tabbed as a McDonald's All-American nominee.

Sivori said Bellarmine "felt like home" and that she's looking forward to the support she'll receive in Freedom Hall.

"There will be a huge section for me," she said. "It's like I'll be at Mercy again."

For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights) and Facebook (BUKnights).