AOSR's DiMatteo dominates on court, earns Athlete of the Year

The senior forward led her team to a third DODEA-Europe Division II title in four years.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:03am

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Natalia DiMatteo, a senior forward for the American Overseas School of Rome, had a standout 2025-2026 basketball season, leading her team to an 18-2 record and a successful defense of their DODEA-Europe Division II championship. DiMatteo was named tournament MVP and earned first-team All-Europe honors, and was selected as the Stars and Stripes' 2025-2026 girls basketball Athlete of the Year for Europe.

Why it matters

DiMatteo’s performance this season highlights her growth as a player after missing most of her junior year due to injury. Her ability to regain her love for the game and focus on fundamentals and defense helped propel AOSR to another title, cementing the program’s dominance in the mid-size tier.

The details

DiMatteo, a 5-foot-10 forward from Syracuse, New York, put together a big senior campaign after missing most of her junior season with a fractured metatarsal bone. She said the injury and rest period helped her regain her love for the game. In the 38-36 victory over Vicenza in the DODEA-Europe Division II title game, DiMatteo scored 22 points, attacking the bucket and helping break the Cougars’ press. Despite her standout performance, DiMatteo expressed humbleness about her game, saying she isn’t fancy or exciting, but focuses on intensity, fundamentals, and defense.

  • DiMatteo missed most of her junior season due to a fractured metatarsal bone.
  • In the 2025-2026 season, DiMatteo led AOSR to an 18-2 record and a successful defense of their DODEA-Europe Division II championship.
  • The DODEA-Europe Division II title game was played on February 14, 2026 at the Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany.

The players

Natalia DiMatteo

A 5-foot-10 senior forward for the American Overseas School of Rome, who was named tournament MVP and first-team All-Europe, and was selected as the Stars and Stripes’ 2025-2026 girls basketball Athlete of the Year for Europe.

American Overseas School of Rome

The high school basketball program that DiMatteo played for, which has won three DODEA-Europe Division II titles in the last four years.

Vicenza

The opponent that AOSR defeated 38-36 in the DODEA-Europe Division II title game.

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What they’re saying

““There’s no slacking in those games. You have to go hard to come out on top, and I think that’s really fun.””

— Natalia DiMatteo

““I definitely don’t have too much skill. I don’t have any crazy moves or anything, but I think it’s just intensity and fundamentals.””

— Natalia DiMatteo

““A lot of it is how hard you try and how hard you focus, and for me that’s really great. Even if you’re having a bad game shooting-percentage wise or something’s not going your way, you can always play the best defense that you can.””

— Natalia DiMatteo

What’s next

DiMatteo will now turn her attention to track and field, where she will try to help the Falcons defend their co-championship from 2025.

The takeaway

DiMatteo’s standout senior season, marked by her leadership, defensive intensity, and fundamental play, helped AOSR maintain its dominance in the DODEA-Europe Division II basketball landscape, showcasing how a player’s dedication and love for the game can overcome obstacles and propel a team to success.