Nov. 12, 2008
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State women's basketball head coach Beth Burns announced the signing Wednesday of two, 5-9 guards, Ashley Duffy (Lakeside, Calif.) and Kiyana Stamps (Moreno Valley, Calif.), to National Letters of Intent. The pair will join the Aztecs in 2009.
"This was our first specific-need (recruiting) class, because of the graduation of guards LaSandra Dixon this year and Jené Morris, Quenese Davis and Kim Spinardi next year," Burns said. "Our major focus was the backcourt and we couldn't be more excited about the addition of Kiyana Stamps and Ashley Duffy to the Aztec basketball family.
"Ashley will play more on the wing (position) for us and can be a great ball-pressure guard. Her speed allows her to fill the lane and develop into a real scoring threat. Kiyana's versatility enables her to play any of the perimeter positions. When we were recruiting her, all anyone wanted to talk about was her defense, but what goes unnoticed is her untapped offensive ability, which is where she will really shine when she takes her game to the next level."
Ashley Duffy attends El Capitan High School in Lakeside, Calif., where she is slated to be a four-year starter under coach Frank Quinones.
"When you think about (Ashley and Allison Duffy), you think about athleticism and toughness, and Ashley is all of that in a slightly smaller package (than her sister) at 5-9," Burns said. "She has great size to play on the perimeter and is strong and fast."
Duffy averaged 18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 6.7 steals as a junior last season to garner Grossmont League North MVP honors for the second year in a row. She helped the Vaqueros to the Division III San Diego Section semifinals in 2008 and was a first-team all-CIF pick.
"I'm extremely excited for Ashley to go to San Diego State and to play for coach Burns," Quinones said. "Not only can she post up and shoot, she can also handle the ball well on the floor. She's grown into a fine young lady and I look forward to having her play (at El Capitan) again this season."
Duffy has twice been tabbed as the San Diego Union-Tribune athlete of the week, including last February when she just missed a triple-double with 24 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists against league rival West Hills.
"I liked the coaching staff at San Diego State and it's a place that I felt most comfortable at," Ashley Duffy said. "I also wanted to play with my sister again and have my family be able to attend my games."
Daughter of Don Duffy and Kimberly Hall, she competes for San Diego Swish with coaches Roger Moses and John Saric.
"Ashley plays with a lot of character and heart," Moses said. "She always plays hard and is a huge competitor. She will fit in well with the style of play that coach Burns likes to play. Coach Burns got a great player and I think (Ashley) has put herself in a good position."
Duffy's older sister, Allison, is a sophomore forward on this year's Aztec squad and the pair played together at El Capitan in 2005-06, when Ashley was the Grossmont League North Freshman of the Year.
"Teams are extended families and for our team, to go from Desiree to Paris (Johnson), from Q to Coco (Davis) and now from Allison to Ashley, is a great tribute to our coaches and staff that we're doing the right thing. It also makes our team that much closer and we're excited to keep our tradition of sisters alive."
A highly-touted recruit out of Perris High School in Perris, Calif., Kiyana Stamps (pronounced key-ON-uh) averaged 15.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a junior. She especially excelled on the defensive side of the ball, tallying 2.6 steals an outing last season. A three-time all-league pick, Stamps was rated the No. 39 guard in the nation by ESPNU HoopGurlz.com.
"First and foremost, Kiyana is a good person," said Marvin Williams, the head coach at Perris High School. "She's a coach's dream, because she's such a hard worker and has a big heart. She is a 100-percent team player and is a winner in life, because she wants to win the right way."
Stamps has led the Panthers to three-straight Sunbelt League titles, including a perfect 10-0 mark a year ago. Daughter of Reggie and Pam Stamps, she has been named first-team all-CIF two straight years and was the Sunbelt League MVP as a junior.
"I have great respect for coach Williams and it's extra special to have a player come from Perris High School to SDSU," Burns said. "(Perris) has a similar playing style to ours and Kiyana's athleticism, ability to take the ball to the rim, shoot the three and play full-court pressure defense is a big asset. She will hit the ground running and will fight for playing time when she steps on campus."
Stamps received MVP honors at the prestigious Santa Barbara High School Tournament of Champions last December, helping her team to the Gold Division title with 20 points in the championship game. Perris High finished the 2007-08 campaign with a 26-5 overall record and advanced to the CIF semifinals.
"I see signing with San Diego State as a good opportunity to help put the program on the map and to start a dynasty," Stamps said. "I loved coach Burns' energy and you can tell she has a love for the game. When I made my official visit, I saw how hard the team works and it made me want to be a part (of the team)."
Stamps plays club basketball for coach Brian Crichlow and West Coast Premier. She also has run track at Perris High School, competing in the long and triple jump as well as the 4x100 and 4x400 relays.
"Kiyana is a very hard worker and is passionate about the game and about winning," Crichlow said. "She is tenacious on defense and explosive on offense and has evolved into a complete player."
Besides Duffy and Stamps, SDSU will also add 6-3 forward Jessika Bradley to the mix for next season after the Baylor transfer sits out this year due to NCAA guidelines.
"As we targeted what are needs were, the opportunity to sign a great young backcourt and put in an elite front-line player like Jessika, has us really looking forward to the future," Burns said.
San Diego State officially kicks off the 2008-09 season this Friday when the Aztecs play host to Northwestern State at 7 p.m. at Cox Arena.
| 2008-09 Aztec Basketball Signees | |||||
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Cl.* | Hometown/Last School | |
| Ashley Duffy | G | 5-9 | Fr. | Lakeside, Calif. (El Capitan HS) | |
| Kiyana Stamps | G | 5-9 | Fr. | Moreno Valley, Calif. (Perris HS) | |
| Jessika Bradley^ | F | 6-3 | Jr. | Sacramento, Calif. (Sacramento HS/Baylor) | |
* - 2009-10 classification | |||||