Rutgers Women's Basketball Adds Laney To 2011 Recruiting Class
Apr 13 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (April 13, 2011) – The Rutgers women’s basketball program added Smyrna High School wing Betnijah Laney (Clayton, Del.) to its 2011 recruiting class, head coach C. Vivian Stringer announced. Laney is rated as the 11th-best recruit overall and the No. 2 wing in the country by ESPNU HoopGurlz.
“Betnijah is a very talented and versatile player who has the ability to play positions 1-4,” said Stringer. “She has tremendous vision and can score from three-point range, off the bounce and in the post. Betnijah’s versatility makes her one of the premier players in the country. I know this decision has been difficult for her, with so many great schools to consider but I’m happy that in the end, she put her trust in me and our program.”
Laney signed a National Letter of Intent Wednesday, joining Briyona Canty (Willingboro, N.J.), Shakena Richardson (Neptune, N.J.), Syessence Davis (Neptune, N.J.) and Christa Evans (Jackson, N.J.). Prior to the addition of Laney, the group which features four New Jersey products, was rated as the fifth-best recruiting class nationally ESPNU HoopGurlz. With Laney and Canty Rutgers has a pair of McDonald’s All-Americans and the Scarlet Knights now have four players who appear on the ESPNU HoopGurlz 100 with Canty at No. 6, Laney at 11, Richardson at No. 18 and Davis at 51.
“This has been a dream come true,” said Stringer. “I have never waited on a player as long as Betnijah. It’s been 18 years. I first held her in my arms at three months old and I believed then that she would be a great talent and I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to coach her. Her skills are what everyone talks about; she’s a relentless athlete and one of the most competitive people I know which is not a surprise because I coached her mother Yolanda.”
Yolanda Laney was All-American under Stringer, helping guide Cheyney State to a pair of Final Fours, including a National Championship appearance in 1982.
Laney, the second-best prospect at her position according to ESPNU HoopGurlz, is a 6-0 wing with the combination of size and skill to play both on the perimeter and in the post. The consensus Player of the Year in the state of Delaware, Laney was also a three-time First Team All-State selection.
The reigning and two-time Gatorade girls’ basketball player of the year for Delaware, Laney guided Smyrna High School to 22-2 record and a second-straight appearance in the semifinals of the state tournament, averaging 23.7 points, 10 rebounds, 4.4 steals, 4.3 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.
Laney was selected to compete in both the McDonald’s All-American and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-American games. Laney has extensive experience on the international level as a member of USA Basketball. She won two FIBA gold medals with the U16 and U17 national teams.
