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Women’s Hoops Inks Four During Early Period of National Signing Week

Early class includes a trio ranked in Top 55 prospects in the country

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Nov. 15, 2019) – Rutgers women’s basketball head coach C. Vivian Stringer has signed four recruits to National Letters of Intent during the early period of National Signing Week. The early class includes three players ranked among the Top 55 prospects in the country.

Post Sakima Walker (No. 21), forward Chyna Cornwell (No. 48), guard Elizabeth Martino (No. 53) and wing Erica Lafayette are set to join the Scarlet Knights as freshmen for the 2020-21 season.

All four recruits are engaged students, in addition to being competitive, confident and versatile basketball players. They possess the skills and potential to be effective on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. But we are not done yet; we still need two impact players to help us next season.
C. Vivian Stringer

Sakima Walker
6-4 | Post | Columbus, Ohio

Walker is a four-star recruit and No. 21 overall prospect according to All-Star Girls Report. On November 12, Walker was named as one of 50 players nationally on the 2020 Naismith Trophy Girls High School Player of the Year Watch List. She won consecutive Division III Ohio State Championship titles with the Africentric Early College girls basketball team, including a perfect 28-0 season in 2018-19. USA Today ranked the Nubians No. 4 in the country with Walker at the center of the frontcourt.

Coach Stringer on Walker: “Sakima can play both inside and out. Her length and athleticism will help us inside and her ability to stretch the defense with her shooting range will give her an opportunity to be a unique player. Her passing ability is praiseworthy. Her size on the perimeter allows her to make passes that will greatly expand our offensive abilities. She will be an excellent defender and rebounder for our program.”

Chyna Cornwell
6-3 | Forward | Conover, N.C.

Cornwell is a four-star recruit and No. 48 overall prospect according to All-Star Girls Report. A North Carolina All-State performer from Newton Conover High School, Cornwell averaged 28.3 points and 20.5 rebounds per game as a junior on her way to All-District 10 Player of the Year accolades. She has 1,848 points and 1,616 rebounds in her high school career entering her senior year.

Coach Stringer on Cornwell: “Chyna is a tremendous frontcourt athlete who can positively affect the game through her versatile skill set. She's a very good finisher with the capacity to face up to the basket with her speed. Her leaping ability makes her the type of player you need to compete night in and night out in the Big Ten. In addition to being a hard-working player who runs the floor effortlessly, she has the versatility to defend multiple positions and rebound the basketball out of her area.”

Elizabeth Martino
6-0 | Guard | Upper Marlboro, Md.

Martino is a three-star recruit once ranked as high as the No. 25 prospect in the nation according to espnW Hoopgurlz before a knee injury ended her junior season. She is currently the No. 53 overall prospect according to Blue Star Basketball. Playing her high school ball with Riverdale Baptist, Martino caught the eye of USA Basketball with an invitation to try out for the 2017 FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship with Team USA. She also competed in the USA Basketball 2019 3x3 U18 National Championships as part of the SW Stealers.

Coach Stringer on Martino: “Elizabeth is a great shooter who believes every single shot is going down as she shoots it. She has to learn to expect and seek perfection, while understanding that perfection is impossible. Most people think that great shooters are born, but great shooters are made because of their work ethic and commitment. Liz has done that and is still doing it. Rutgers Nation will be excited when she takes the court next season.”

Erica Lafayette
6-0 | Wing | Baker, La.

Lafayette is a three-star prospect and No. 40 ranked wing according to espnW Hoopgurlz. She is one of the top recruits out of the state of Louisiana, ranked No. 2 by Blue Star Basketball, No. 3 by All-Star Girls Report and No. 4 by espnW Hoopgurlz. Named a Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 5 All-State Honorable Mention following her junior season with McKinley High School, Lafayette averaged near 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game – leading her squad to a runner-up finish in District 5-5A.

Coach Stringer on Lafayette: “Erica is a highly versatile combo guard who is just as effective making plays for her teammates as creating offense for herself. She can attack the basket or shoot the three-pointer. She has good size and speed to be effective on both ends of the floor. Her ability to rebound the ball, push the ball in transition and attack the basket will be a great addition to the team.”

I would like to thank my entire coaching and support staff, our players and athletic department administration for all of their efforts during the recruiting process.
C. Vivian Stringer
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