SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Aztec women's basketball head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson has announced the signings of four-star guards Cailee Crawford (Albuquerque, N.M.) and Khylee Pepe (Long Beach, Calif.) to National Letters of Intent.
"We are thrilled to add Cailee and Khylee to our program," Terry-Hutson explained. "They are both talented perimeter players who are great passers and can play multiple positions. They will fit in well with our team of versatile players."
Pepe (5'11") is a consensus four-star recruit and is ranked No. 83 in the espnW HoopGurlz top 100 rankings. She is a three-time all-state selection in California and was recruited by numerous power five programs. After playing her freshman season at Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), she transferred to Bishop Montgomery High School (Torrance, Calif.) where she has helped them win two league championships.
"Khylee competes at the highest level every time she steps on the floor," Terry-Hutson said. "She brings versatility to the team and will be a very hard matchup because of her ability to post up as well as attack from the perimeter."
At Bishop Montgomery, she was named to the All-CIF and CalHiSports All-state team the last two seasons and took home league MVP honors last season. This past season, she averaged 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals and had 10 games with 20 or more points. She averaged 25.4 points over her final five games and set a new school record with 41 points in a game.
"I chose San Diego State because I love every aspect of their program," Pepe said. "From competing at the highest level of DI basketball to achieving all my academic goals. I also really love the culture and camaraderie that the school and coaches have to offer. I love everything about the school and can't wait to officially be an Aztec!"
As a freshman at Mater Dei High School, she averaged 11.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists and was a Second Team All-County selection. She helped the Monarchs win the Trinity League and finish fourth in the CIF-SS Open Division.
Pepe comes from an athletic family, having four relatives who played football: brother Kobe (USC), father Paapaa (Humboldt State), uncles Jesse (San Francisco 49ers) and Roman (Oregon State).
A 6'0" wing, Crawford is a four-star recruit according to Prospects Nation and has appeared in espnW's HoopGurlz top 100 rankings for 2021 recruits. Last season, she averaged 19.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists while also contributing a steal and a block per game. She shot an efficient 58 percent from the field inside the arc. She averaged 22.2 points and 6.2 rebounds as a sophomore, helping Highland High School advance to the 4A quarterfinals.
"Cailee is brimming with offensive firepower," Terry-Hutson said. "She is a versatile guard who has an expansive skill set. She can score, rebound, pass and play multiple positions. What excites me the most about Cailee is her ability to pass and create for others in an up-tempo style of play. She is a player that will fill the stat sheet and is going to be fun to watch for Aztec fans."
Crawford is a two-time 4A All-State selection in New Mexico and was the 4A State Co-Player of the year last season. She has also been named to the All-Metro First Team three times while helping Highland High School win over 20 games each season and claiming two district titles.
"I confidently chose SDSU because of the dedication and time they spent recruiting me," Crawford explained. "From day one I felt like a priority for them, I felt they were just as invested in my future as I am. The coaches feel more like family and I can't wait to get on campus and start working."
The Aztecs begin their 2020-21 season next Wednesday when they face Washington in Las Vegas, Nev.