Women's Basketball Inks Three Players

CORAL GABLES, Fla.-Head women’s basketball coach Ferne Labati announced the signing of Yalonda McCormick, Fallon Phanord and Melissa Knight to national letters of intent to attend the University of Miami next fall.

“This is one of the finest recruiting classes we’ve had,” said Labati. “I have to really compliment my coaching staff on the great job they’ve done to get these outstanding recruits to sign with Miami. We are very excited to have all three players join our team.”

McCormick, a 5-8 point guard from Miami, Fla., signs with the Hurricanes out of Monsignor Pace where she averages 21.5 points, 10.5 assists, 10.1 steals and 8.0 rebounds per game. She led her team to a 26-2 finish last season.

She is ranked 29th out of the top 250 players in the nation of the class of 2001 and 5th out of the top 150 point guards in the nation, according to the All Star Girls Report.

“We are extremely excited and proud that Yalonda has chosen the University of Miami to pursue her collegiate career,” said Labati. “She is one of the premier point guards in the nation and posses the natural leadership needed to excel at the position.”

Phanord, a 5-8 guard out of Adventura, Fla., returns for her senior campaign at Dr. Michael M. Krop after averaging 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists her junior season.

“Fallon is an explosive player who has the potential to be a difference maker at the next level,” said Labati. “Her athletic and coach ability will play a major role at the collegiate level.”

Knight, a forward out of Philadelphia, Pa., is ranked 111th out of the top 250 players in the nation of the class of 2001 and 23rd out of the top 150 wings in the nation, according to the All Star Girls Report.

“One (Knight) if not the finest player coming out of the Philadelphia area,” said Labati. “She has the ability to run the fast break, penetrate and finish shots. This will make Melissa one of the premier players in the BIG EAST”