The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Women's Basketball Signs Four in Early Period
11/14/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 14, 2001
UAB women's basketball coach Jeannie Milling announced the signing of four players to national letters-of-intent on the first day of the early signing period.
The Lady Blazers signed 5-11 guard Danielle Jackson of Huffman, Ala., Kate Sams, a 6-2 forward from Macon, Ga., Netra Smith, a 5-9 guard from Harvest, Ala., and Christine Whitt, a 6-4 center from Gahanna, Ohio.
?We're losing a great player in Deanna Jackson this season, and Shaquetta Rhodes, another inside player, so we needed to sign some size, plus we got a really good point guard,? said Milling. ?This is another great class to add to our program. Amy Champion has done an outstanding job coordinating our recruiting efforts.?
Jackson was named by the Birmingham News as the top player in the state of Alabama. She averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds per game as a junior. She led Huffman High School her team to the sub-state finals as one of the top eight teams in the state. She was ranked in the top 40 guards, No. 36, by All Star Girls Report.
?We're very excited about Danielle. She is a great player, rated the best in Alabama, and a local player,? Milling said. ?We are just very glad to have her coming here.?
Sams played her high school ball at Westside High in Macon. She averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds last year. She was ranked No. 38 among the top 40 forwards by Girls All Star Report. ?Kate is one of the top 10 players in Georgia and adds a lot to this recruiting class. She gives us good size inside.?
Smith is a point guard, who averaged 12 points and six assists per game at Sparkman High School. ?Netra is a very talented true point guard. She is an explosive athlete who sees the court well and is very good at distributing the ball around,? Milling said.
Whitt played her high school ball at Gahanna Lincoln High School, averaging 24 points and 12 rebounds. ?Christine will give us great size and a great scorer inside. She has a great touch around the basket, is a strong rebounder and a very physical player.?
The Lady Blazers have been to postseason play each of the last two years. They advanced to the NCAA's Sweet Sixteen in 2000 and to the final eight of the Women's NIT last year.
