Nov. 16, 2000
SAN DIEGO - Bringing difference-makers into your program is the goal of every coach when recruiting. San Diego State head coach Barb Smith believes she has done just that during the 2000-01 early signing period as she announced Thursday that three players, Maggie Sauls, Claudia Wilson and Heather Wolf, have returned signed National Letters of Intent with SDSU.
The three, all of whom are currently high school seniors, will enroll at SDSU next fall and begin playing in the 2001-02 season.
"This is a very talented group of players," said Smith. "My assistants did a great job of scouting out the talent and then staying on them until they committed. I expect all three to have a big impact on the continuing evolution of the program."
All three players are rated among the nation's best seniors by the All-Star Girls Report (ASG), including Sauls and Wilson who are ranked top 200. Sauls, a 5-9 swing player, hails from Borger, Texas, and averaged 15 points per game as a junior last season at Borger High School. She is ranked No. 159 nationally by ASG and No. 25 in Texas.
"Maggie brings another shooter to our perimeter game," Smith said of the West Texas native. "She is also very athletic and can run the floor. Maggie works very hard and I expect her to come in and fight for a perimeter spot right away."
Wilson, who is ranked No. 110 by ASG, is currently attending Proviso West High School in Chicago, Ill. As a junior, the 6-2 forward was one of the top players in the state of Texas while playing for coach Lucy Haug at Plano East High School in Plano, Texas.
"Claudia is a tremendous athlete who, at 6-2, can play inside or outside and that kind of versatility should help her see a lot of early playing time," said Smith. "She is a slashing type of player who can drive to the hoop but is also very tough on the boards. I am excited that we were able to add this kind of athleticism at both ends of the court to out team."
A native of Stayton, Ore., Wolf is a 5-6 point guard out of Regis High School. A second team all-Oregon selection as a junior, Wolf has led Regis to back-to-back 23-0 regular seasons and pair of conference championships. The Tri-River Conference's 2000 player of the Year, Wolf averaged 14.3 points and 4.1 assists as a junior.
"Heather will fill in a huge gap in the point guard spot following the graduation of Sophia Sledge and Shannon Lee this spring," said Smith. "She has a tremendous work ethic and will bring a lot of hustle and fight to our defense. She also has a true jump shot and is another point that can score."
Fall 2000 San Diego State Women's Basketball Signees
Player Pos. Ht. Yr.* Hometown (Previous School)Maggie Sauls G/F 5-9 Fr. Borger, Texas (Borger HS)Claudia Wilson F 6-2 Fr. Chicago, Ill. (Proviso West HS)Heather Wolf G 5-6 Fr. Stayton, Ore. (Regis HS)
*Incoming class year.