Kansas Women's Basketball Announces 2011 Signing Class
Nov. 10, 2010
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Kansas women’s basketball head coach Bonnie Henrickson announced the signing of five players Wednesday. A trio of players from Texas in guard Donielle Breaux (Missouri City) and forwards Chelsea Gardner (DeSoto) and Catherine “Bunny” Williams (Duncanville) along with Michigan native Asia Boyd (Detroit) and Sunflower state native Natalie Knight (Olathe) signed national letters of intent to join the KU program beginning in the 2011-12 academic year.
“We are excited about the quality of basketball players we are getting,” said Henrickson, who opens her seventh campaign as the head coach of Kansas on Sunday. “As a class we are thrilled to be signing a player at each position. It is a class with a lot of balance and one that will definitely improve our skill, athleticism and depth as a team.”
Boyd, a 6-foot-1 guard, is top player to commit to the Jayhawk program under Henrickson. She is currently ranked as the 39th best player in the country by ESPN Hoopgurlz.com, earning four stars. Additionally, the site lists Boyd as the 10th best three player in the country and the second best player in the state of Michigan. She averaged 12.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals a game for last year’s Detroit city champs and Michigan state runner-up team. Boyd chose the Jayhawks over LSU, Michigan State, Michigan, Miami, South Carolina and UCLA.
“Asia is a big, strong, athletic lefty,” said Henrickson. “She can shoot the three or take it to the basket. She can score in a variety of ways, but it also very unselfish. She is also a very strong rebounder.”
Breaux, a 5-10 guard, was tabbed the 35th best guard in the country by ESPN Hoopgurlz.com. She was an All-State selection last season by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. She averaged 21.0 points, 3.5 steals, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game as a junior. She was recently tabbed Preseason Second Team All-Area by the Houston Chronicle. Breaux chose Kansas over Missouri and UNC-Wilmington.
“Donielle has played all three guard positions, but will play primarily on the wing here,” said Henrickson. “She is tremendously athletic and versatile. She really attacks the basket on offense, but we are also excited about her defense. She is a great defender and someone who can really turn it up on that end of the floor.”
Gardner, a 6-3 forward, averaged 7.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game last season at DeSoto High School. She took home All-District honors from the Dallas Morning News and chose the Jayhawks over Texas and TCU.
“Chelsea is a very skilled, long and athletic in the post,” said Henrickson. “She is excellent in transition as she can really get up and down the court. She is a capable scorer by either posting up or facing the basket. She will be a great asset to our inside game.”
Knight, a 5-7 guard from Olathe South High School, helped lead her team to a 24-1 record and the Class 6A state championship in 2010. She averaged 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 4.0 steals per game. Knight was the Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year runner-up and was the 2010 DiRenna Award winner as the top player in the Kansas City metro area. Knight, who has three uncles who played for the Kansas men’s basketball team, chose KU over Kansas State and Iowa State.
“Natalie is a fantastic playmaker with an extremely high basketball IQ,” said Henrickson. “She doesn’t turn the ball over and knows how to get her teammates involved in the game, but at the same time knows when she needs to take control. We are thrilled to have whom we consider to be the top player in the state of Kansas joining our program. It is very important for us to get the top local players to join our program and we excited Natalie chose to do that.”
Williams, a 6-1 forward, averaged 13.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.0 block per game last season at Duncanville High School. She was named the Texas District 7-5A 2010 Defensive Player of the Year. Williams, who teamed with Gardner on the Texas Top Prospects AAU team, chose the Jayhawks over Memphis and Kentucky.
“Bunny is very physical in the post,” said Henrickson. “She already has the physical presence and build of a college post player. She is versatile in that she can play facing the basket or with her back to the basket. In addition, she has a high basketball IQ and is a good communicator.”
Kansas will officially open the 2010-11 season with a home game versus South Dakota on Sunday, Nov. 14. Game time is slated for 2 p.m., in Allen Fieldhouse.
Kansas Women’s Basketball 2011-12 Signing Class
Name Ht. Pos. Hometown (Previous School)
Asia Boyd 6-1 G Detroit, Mich. (Renaissance HS)
Donielle Breaux 5-10 G Missouri City, Texas (Elkins HS)
Chelsea Gardner 6-3 F DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto HS)
Natalie Knight 5-7 G Olathe, Kan. (Olathe South HS)
Catherine “Bunny” Williams 6-1 F Duncanville, Texas (Duncanville HS)
