Women's Basketball Announces The Signing of CeCe Harper, Brooke Jelniker, Keena Mays and Diara Moore
Nov. 11, 2009
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Kansas women’s basketball head coach Bonnie Henrickson announced the signing of four players Wednesday. A trio of guards from Texas, CeCe Harper (San Antonio), Keena Mays (Arlington) and Diara Moore (Cedar Hill) along with Colorado native Brooke Jelniker (Highlands Ranch) signed national letters of intent to join the KU program beginning in the 2010-11 academic year.
“This is a tremendous group of playmakers,” said Henrickson, who opens her sixth campaign as the head coach of Kansas on Sunday. “I think all four of them will fit well in our uptempo style of offense. They are a great combination of shooters and scorers and are great in transition. I am pleased to have them joining our program.”
Harper, who attends Madison High School, is a former high school and AAU teammate of current Jayhawk freshman Monica Engelman. Harper averaged 17.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game as a junior while playing for Tracy Hastings at MHS. She is rated the 29th best point guard in the class of 2010 by ESPN’s HoopGurlz.com.
“CeCe has an extremely high basketball IQ,” said Henrickson. “She is a good shooter who can extend the defense with her range. At the same time she is effective off the dribble and has great court vision. She is the complete package.”
Jelniker picked up First Team All-Conference honors as a junior at Thunder Ridge High School after averaging 14 points, six rebounds, two blocks and two steals per game. Coached by Bill Bradley at TRHS, Jelniker is rated the 19th best small forward by HoopGurlz.com and is ranked the 45th best prospect overall on GregSwaim.com.
“Brooke is a fantastic shooter,” said Henrickson. “She is long and athletic and comes from one of the top high school programs in the state of Colorado. She is an aggressive rebounder and really knows how to play the game.”
Mays is the highest rated signee in the class as she is tabbed No. 61 overall player in the Class of 2010 by HoopGurlz.com. Mays, who averaged 10 points and three assists per game as a junior playing for Candi Harvey at Timberview High School, was named to the All-District 8-4A Team, while also picking up District 8-4A Offensive Player of the Year honors. In addition, Mays earned All-Tournament Team honors from Class 4A after leading THS to a runner-up finish a the 2009 Texas State Tournament.
“Keena has the ability to make plays all over the court,” said Henrickson. “She is great at getting her teammates the ball in a position to score and can also knock down the shot herself. She has good range and can get to the rim and finish.”
Moore, who plays for Andrea Robinson at Cedar Hill High School, helped lead CHHS to a 25-7 mark and an appearance in the third round of the Texas District 7-5A playoffs. Moore averaged 13 points, four assists and two steals per game in 2008-09.
“Diara is a strong, athletic guard,” said Henrickson. “She is very physical and really knows how to attack the hoop. In addition, she is a great rebounder and will bring an element of toughness to our program.”
Kansas will officially open the 2009-10 season with a home game versus Oral Roberts on Sunday, Nov. 15. Game time is slated for 2 p.m., in Allen Fieldhouse.
Kansas Women’s Basketball 2010-11 Signing Class
Name Ht. Pos. Hometown (Previous School)
CeCe Harper 5-8 G San Antonio, Texas (Madison HS)
Brooke Jelniker 6-1 G Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Thunder Ridge HS)
Keena Mays 5-7 G Arlington, Texas (Timberview HS)
Diara Moore 5-9 G Cedar Hill, Texas (Cedar Hill HS)
