Kansas Women's Basketball Signs Catic, Orgas

Nov. 10, 2004

Lawrence, Kan. — The University of Kansas women’s basketball team signed two recruits – Ivana Catic and Jennifer Orgas – to national letters-of-intent, head coach Bonnie Henrickson announced Wednesday.

“With these first two signings, we’ve filled two of our most important needs in a point guard and a post player,” Henrickson said. “Ivana is a point guard who brings great playmaking ability and a tremendous basketball I.Q. Jen will play the post and has a fantastic physical upside.”

Catic, a 5-8 point guard who will play her senior season at Mt. deChantal Academy in Wheeling, W.V., averaged 13 points and seven assists while playing in Zrenjanin, Serbia and Montenegro last year. Prior to coming to the United States, Catic also played in the Serbia and Montenegro Junior National and National Team programs. Catic chose the Jayhawks over Colorado and Richmond. At Kansas, she plans to major in business and language.

“Ivana is an outstanding athlete who makes everyone around her better,” her high school coach John Rowan said. “She has great leadership skills and a tremendous knowledge of the game. She will be a perfect fit for where Kansas is trying to go with its program.”

“We’re thrilled to have Ivana join our program,” Henrickson added. “She brings enthusiasm and has a great personality. When she visited during Late Night and played with our kids, everyone told us that we needed her because she was a great leader. Playing for Coach Rowan, she’ll be playing for a great coach this year who runs his program the same way we run ours. Her international experience will also be a huge asset.”

Orgas, a 6-2 forward, is a senior this season at Skutt Catholic High School in Omaha, Neb., for coach Mark Zulkoski. As a junior, Orgas posted averages of 12.8 points and seven rebounds per game while shooting just under 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line. She was named second team all-state and also was named to the state all-tournament team for all classes. Orgas plays in the summer on the AAU circuit for the Chicago Hoops Express, coached by Jerald Davis. Orgas, who is considering majoring in pre-med, committed in April after receiving interest from many Big 12 schools.

“Jen is special to us because she was our first commitment. She believed in us right away,” Henrickson said. “She will provide us with a strong body in the post with her tenacity and work ethic.”

Kansas is expected to sign at least two more student-athletes in the early signing period, which ends Wednesday, Nov. 17.

Kansas Signees At-a-Glance
Ivana Catic (point guard, 5-8, Wheeling, W.V. – Mt. deChantal Academy)
Jennifer Orgas (forward, 6-2, Omaha, Neb. – Skutt Catholic HS)