Welcome the New Knights
Nov 20 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer has announced the signing of Desiree Keeling (Roanoke, Va.), Aliyah Jeune (Westampton, N.J.), Victoria Harris (Snellville, Ga.) and Khadaizha Sanders (Kankakee, Ill.) to national letters of intent to play for the Scarlet Knights beginning with the 2015-16 season.
"Each of these young women who signed with Rutgers believes in our program, its possibilities, and our vision. They know that they will receive a quality education, along with the great support of our loyal fans. It goes without saying that our current team helped set the table for what is expected, what is endured and what we have and will accomplish," said Stringer of the incoming class. "My staff has worked diligently to bring together a group of young women who embody all that we represent. They are prepared to carry on our legacy of excellence as we graduate several very impactful players. They embrace our desire to continue to move toward our goal of a national championship. I am grateful for each and every individual, their families, and coaches for entrusting us with the care and development of Aliyah, Victoria, Desiree, and Khadaizha."
______________________________________________________________________________
Keeling averaged 13.5 points and 12.0 rebounds as a junior at William Fleming High School, helping her Colonels squad to a 26-7 record and an appearance in the VHSL Group 4A Championship game. She was the 4-A North Regional Player of the Year and earned First Team VHSCA All-State and Blue Ridge District VHSL honors. Additionally, as a junior she was a first team all-district, all-conference and all-state honoree. Keeling had 11 points and 15 rebounds in the state 4A championship game.
Stringer on Keeling: "Having a dominant low post presence was a key for this class, and I'm very excited to have Desiree extending her career at Rutgers University. Desiree is a driven young lady, who has steadily made an upward climb each year. It makes it more special knowing that she personally feels that at Rutgers she will be challenged each and every day. On the court, Desiree brings great hands and a soft touch around the rim. She is a tremendous rebounder, who enjoys running the floor and playing with great physicality on both ends."
"Desiree is a great kid. She plays hard and competes and muscles inside. She is a tremendous teammate and has a wonderful attitude. She is a great get for Rutgers."
- Coach Boo Williams, BWSL
______________________________________________________________________________
The younger sister of current freshman guard Ashli, Jeune is a three-time First Team All-New Jersey and all-star selection. She averaged 18.1 points per game as Life Center Academy finished with a 28-6 mark during her junior campaign and a 31-2 record and the prep championship as a sophomore. Jeune led Burlington county in three-point field goals made (109) and scored her 1,000th career point as a junior on the same night as her sister Ashli. Blue Star ranks her as the No. 37 prospect in the country, while Prospect Nation lists Jeune as the No. 14 wing player in the class of 2015.
Stringer on Jeune: "Aliyah was our first commitment nearly four years ago. She and her family have believed in us from the time she picked up a basketball. She will have a great impact on our Scarlet Knights team because of her court vision, athleticism and ability to shoot from well beyond the three. I am extremely proud of Aliyah and her growth over the years. I know she will do well in the next chapter of her life here at Rutgers and represent her family, high school, and club coaches in great fashion. Aliyah is an excellent guard/forward with a flair for making dynamic plays. Known as one of the best shooting guards in the country, she has worked diligently to expand her perimeter skills."
"One of the most gifted guards in America, Aliyah is long, skilled and dynamically creative. She's has deep shooting range. For our NJ Demons team, Aliyah was a loved teammate and a leader for a young team. She's been a pleasure to coach; she will benefit from the opportunity to play for one of the great teachers in the game, Coach C. Vivian Stringer. I am excited to see her play for NJ's team, Rutgers University."
- Coach Rich Leary, NJ Demons
______________________________________________________________________________
Harris averaged 10 points and nine rebounds as a junior at Parkview High School helping the Panthers to a 27-4 record and the Elite Eight of the state playoffs. She also averaged two assists, three steals and shot 71 percent from the free throw line, while her 84 blocks last season ranks her fifth in the Gwinnett County single season record books. She was a First Team 8-AAAAAA and Georgia Athletic Coaches' Association All-State member and an Atlanta Tip-Off Club Metro Atlanta Honorable Mention selection. In addition to her success on the basketball court, Harris competed in shot put and discus for the track & field team, placing second in Gwinnett County in the shot put, and was also a member of Parkview's volleyball team. Prospect Nation lists Harris at No. 16 among power forwards in the class.
Stringer on Harris: "Victoria is a blue-collar worker who plays both the power forward and center positions. She can take her defender to the basket, post up with authority, defend positions one through four, and represent the 15-17 foot shot with consistency. Her upside is tremendous and she will be a matchup problem for most defenders. She is that tough, hard-nosed player that every program needs on their team. Victoria does the intangibles, while producing on both ends of the floor."
"Victoria played her final AAU basketball season with the Georgia Pistols-Martin. She's fun and easy to coach. She's a hard worker and has good court awareness. There is no doubt in my mind that she will blossom under the tutelage of Coach Stringer."
- Coach Lanny Martin, Georgia Pistols-Martin
______________________________________________________________________________
Sanders poured in 22.8 points and 4.1 assists as she led Bishop McNamara High School as a junior to the section finals with a 23-5 record. A First Team Associated Press 3A All-State selection and the Daily Journal Player of the Year, she also shot 89 percent from the free throw line. As a sophomore, Sander averaged 19.3 points per game along with 107 steals and 87 assists. She also netted 39 points in the Class 3A sectional semifinal. Sanders, also known as KK, is listed at No. 38 by Prospect Nation and No. 60 among the ESPNW/HoopGurlz class of 2015 rankings. Prospect Nation also ranks Sanders as the eighth best point guard in the class.
Stringer on Sanders: "KK comes from a phenomenal club team in Baylor Basketball. I applaud Toi Baylor for what she is doing for her players, what she has done for KK, and what she will continue to do. You will often hear rumblings that Rutgers is known for its guard play, or better yet, that a guard with great ball handling skills, an ability to score at will, and a knack for making big plays, equals a `Rutgers-type guard'. While she is small in stature, KK packs a power punch. She's a humbled athlete, with the ability to take her defender off the bounce, stroke it from the three point line, and create shots for her teammates at any given moment. Arguably one of the highest rated players in the Midwest, KK has a passion and work ethic that is insurmountable. She has a very high basketball IQ and will have veteran players around her, allowing her to display her `Rutgers guard' skill set."
"Khadaizha Sanders will truly be a tremendous asset to the Rutgers University Women's Basketball Program. It will be an honor for KK to learn from one of the greatest icons in women's basketball."
- Toi Baylor, Baylor Basketball AAU
______________________________________________________________________________
Follow Rutgers women's basketball on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersWBB), Twitter (www.twitter.com/RutgersWBB) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/RutgersWBB) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on both social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
-RU-
