Top-10 Recruit Headlines Hurricanes' Incoming Class
Nov. 12, 2008
CORAL GABLES – Morgan Stroman, Anisha Wilson and Hannah Shaw have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at the University of Miami beginning with the 2009-10 season, Hurricane head coach Katie Meier announced Wednesday.
“We really targeted a low post scorer and a dynamic scoring point guard,” said Meier on the planning of the recruiting efforts. “In addition, we wanted to make sure we challenged the traditional powers in going after and signing one of the nation’s top players. We are quite pleased to have hit the mark in signing Hannah, Anisha and Morgan. All three young ladies have a real competitive spirit and understand what their commitment to `THE U’ family means. They are extremely likable people who strive for excellence and they all come from championship programs.”
“I want to compliment my staff for their efforts, and express my confidence in this class and in their ability to make an immediate impact on this program.”
Stroman, a 6-2 forward from Lower Richmond High School in Hopkins, S.C., has recently been named to the Sporting News Prep All-American Second-Team, which makes her one of the top-ten players in the country. Last year she was selected to the sixth-team. In addition, she ranks No. 8 nationally by the Blue Star report and No. 33 by HoopGurlz.com. HoopGurlz has Stroman as the No. 8-rated wing. After averaging 14.8 points per game as a junior, Stroman has scored 1,437 points since playing varsity basketball. Her varsity career began when she was in seventh grade.
“Morgan is one of the top-ranked players in the nation who has her best basketball still ahead of her. She is an extremely hard worker who loves the game, but most of all she is an incredibly smart and beautiful young woman that will be successful in whatever she does. It has been an incredible seven years coaching the `Fab Five’ from South Carolina which Morgan was an integral part of,” said Stroman’s AAU coach Anthony Toney.
Stroman, who is the back-to-back South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, has led her team to three consecutive 4A state championships and has been named the state tournament MVP in each of those seasons. Last year, her team finished with a perfect 26-0 record and rose to a No. 6 final ranking on ESPN HIGH Elite 25 High School Girls national poll
“The signing of Morgan Stroman certainly raised some eyebrows nationally,” said Meier. “She is a legitimate All-American player, and her versatility makes her a tough match-up for anyone who guards her.”
“What I love about Morgan is that she sees what is about to happen down here in Miami. She did her research and was impressed by our recent nationally ranked signing classes.”
Meier goes on to say, “The kid is a winner. Her mom is one the most successful coaches in South Carolina history and was a great player in her day as well. We’ve added a tremendous competitor who, no doubt, will bring that spirit to the `U’. She’s athletic, bright, talented and to top it off was the homecoming queen at her high school. She is a truly special young lady and this is a big addition to our family.”
Shaw hails from Nottingham, England where she plays on the U-18 National Team. The 6-4 center has participated in the European Championships on four occasions. In the 2007 championship in Romania Shaw averaged 8.6 points and 4.5 rebound with 1.4 blocks. This year the championships were held in Macedonia and she score 6.9 points per game and pulled down 4.9 rebounds.
When not competing for the national team, Shaw plays for the Nottingham Wildcats. Last season the center averaged 14.6 points per game to go along with 9.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. Currently, Shaw is in the midst of the 2008 season and has scored 13.1 points per contest and has grabbed 9.0 boards.
“Hannah is the most talented post player I have had the privilege of coaching,” said Shaw’s head coach Leanne Chandler. “Hannah and myself both believe she can go on to great things. With that in mind, we know that Miami was the right choice for her. She is going to be part of a great program and surrounded by an excellent coaching staff that understand her goals and ambitions.”
Shaw has been identified as a Great Britain prospect for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, to be held in London, by the British Olympic Association.
“Anytime you sign someone with Olympic possibilities in their future, you know you have signed a good one. Hannah is one of the top international post prospects, mainly because of her ability to score in a variety of ways in the paint. She is an extremely bright young lady, which makes her a very crafty post player. Because of her anticipation she rebounds very well and always seems one step ahead of her opponents. We are thrilled to have Hannah join our family.”
Wilson, who led Career High School (New Haven, Conn.) to a Class LL state championship in 2007-08, will be the third early signee for the Hurricanes. The point guard was a second-team all-state selection last season and a third-team pick the year before.
“I think the Hurricanes found the most underrated point guard on the east coast, as well as one who has continued to develop year after year,” said the coach of Wilson’s Gaucho AAU team, Earl Elliotte. “I am sure if she wants to continue to get better, she found the right place at the University of Miami.”
The two-time all-area selection averaged 16 points, three steals and three assists in carrying her team to their second-straight Southern Connecticut Conference Championship and state title as a junior.
“Anisha is a very gritty, hard-nosed point guard, who can also move to the off guard and give you some scoring. She uses her quickness very well, especially on the defensive end. She pushes tempo extremely well and is very difficult to guard in the open court, which fits perfectly with our style of play. Anisha is coming off a state championship and we love that she is a winner”
The Hurricanes open their 2008-09 campaign on Friday, Nov. 14, against Norfolk State at the BanKUnited Center, with first tip at noon.
