Meier Welcomes 2021 Signing Class
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami head women’s basketball coach Katie Meier announced the signing of four players to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.
The 2021 signing class features a group of immense talent in Jasmyne Roberts, Lashae Dwyer, Ja’Leah Williams and Chisomaga Okafor. The quartet is made up of a pair of Florida natives (Roberts and Williams), a top-80 recruit (Dwyer) and an international standout (Okafor).
In two seasons at Bishop Kenny, Roberts is averaging 18.6 points and 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.3 steals per game. She has helped her team to back-to-back state runner-up finishes and will serve as a captain for the 2020-21 season.
A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Roberts is the reigning Florida Times-Union All-First Coast Player of the Year and News4Jax Player of the Year.
“Jasmyne is such a versatile player, which fits the style of position-less basketball that we play,” Meier said. “She has a strength and physicality to her game that allows her to penetrate defenses effectively and she’ll be able to come in and compete right away. She comes from a high school with a tradition of winning and one that has consistently produced Division I players.”
The true point guard of the class, Dwyer is the No. 79 player in the nation and the No. 15 player at her position, according to espnW HoopGurlz. In three seasons at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tenn., Dwyer helped her team to a 72-7 overall record.
Originally hailing from Toronto, Dwyer was named a BioSteel All Canadian Basketball Games nominee in 2020.
“Lashae is an explosive guard with a strong build and a fantastic downhill game,” Meier commented. “Not only is she a crafty offensive player, but she is also a menace on the defensive side of the ball, forcing tips and turnovers. She is a threatening player with the ball and her attitude on the court creates a spark for her teammates.”
A Broward County native, Williams is staying close to home at The U. The combo guard has racked up the awards during her three years at Blanche Ely, including being named the Sun Sentinel Broward County Class 7A-6A Player of the Year in 2019-20.
As a junior, Williams averaged 18 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and five steals per game, helping Ely to its first state championship since 1992. She totaled 10 points, five rebounds and four assists in the title game.
“Ja’Leah is so dynamic in transition and thrives in the open court. One of her biggest strengths is her ability to facilitate and make plays for her team,” Meier said. “Her basketball IQ is extremely high, making her an asset on both offense and defense and she has the ability to play multiple positions on the court. Playing at a high school where winning is the standard has allowed Ja’Leah to develop into an elite basketball player.”
A product of Mataró, Spain, Okafor rounds out the 2021 class. The forward joins Paula Fraile Ruiz as the second Spanish player on the roster for 2021-22.
Okafor has a wealth of international experience, most recently competing at the 2019 FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship in Skopje, Macedonia. The forward averaged 11.6 points and 7.3 rebounds over seven games, helping Spain to a third-place finish.
In a victory over France, Okafor tallied 23 points and 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the tournament.
“Chiso provides the team with an aggressiveness under the basket, going hard for rebounds and loose balls,” Meier said. “She stretches the defense with her ability to shoot not only mid-range jumpers, but also threes and brings a toughness in the paint that we fell in love with. Having played on the international stage for Spain, Chiso knows what it takes to win at a high level.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT MIAMI’S RECRUITING CLASS
ASGR Basketball’s Bret McCormack
On Miami’s recruiting class…
“The Miami Hurricanes 2021 early signing class features three very athletic guards. All three would be considered 4-star recruits and affect the game on offense and defense. They all are tough to defend and present problems for their opponents. They will fit right in with head coach Katie Meier’s style of play.”
On Ja’Leah Williams…
“Ja’Leah is a great athlete, aggressive on both sides of the ball with a high motor. She has three-level scoring ability and can score or set teammates up, making for a tough matchup.”
On Jasmyne Roberts…
“Jasmyne is an athletic, strong, attacking power guard. She has a scorer’s mentality with the ability to score at all three levels.”
On Lashae Dwyer…
“Lashae is an ultra-quick, explosive guard that likes up-tempo games. She attacks the rim and reads the defense and has the ability to finish in traffic. She will be an aggressive, defensive disruptor for the Canes.”
GoGlobal Recruiting CEO Rachel Galligan
On Chisomaga Okafor…
“Chiso has worked tremendously hard to get to the position she is in both on and off the court. She has proven time and time again why she is one of the top prospects coming out of Europe, not to mention her extremely high ceiling that has yet to be scratched. Chiso and her family clicked with coach Meier and her staff immediately, this is the perfect fit for both. Chiso will have the whole ACC on notice in no time.”
