McFerrin adds one more to 2010-11 roster
By: Joseph Russell
Issue date: 11/14/09 Section: Sports
In an effort to uphold her promise that The University of Memphis women's basketball team will soon become the class of Conference USA, coach Melissa McFerrin added yet another player to the Tigers' already-impressive 2010 recruiting class.
Sharee "KK" Harvey, a 6-foot-2 post player from Mesquite, Texas, became McFerrin's first signee for the 2010-11 season when she signed a National Letter of Intent yesterday. She will also be the Tigers' only early signing period signee, as she will join three other players who are already in Memphis but are sitting out this season due to NCAA transfer rules or injury.
"We feel that we landed one of the most skilled and versatile (post players) in the class with the signing of KK Harvey," said McFerrin. "Her footwork, passing ability and great hands will allow her to play both facing and back to the basket. She will be extremely effective in our offensive system."
Harvey, ranked the No. 60 small forward in the 2010 class according to the Collegiate Girls Basketball report, averaged 9.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game last year at North Mesquite High School. She earned academic all-district honors each season from 2006-2009, and was a first team all-district selection in her sophomore and junior seasons.
The left-handed forward recently tore her ACL and will miss her senior season while undergoing rehabilitation for the injury.
Harvey's signing brings McFerrin's Class of 2010 total to four players, as she will join transfers Mary Jackson and Jasmine Lee, along with freshman Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, who tore her ACL during the preseason and will retain her freshman year of eligibility. Harvey joins a group of incoming players that is already ranked No. 53 in the nation and second in C-USA by the Allstar Girls Report.
Since taking over the reigns as coach in 2008, McFerrin has stressed the importance of recruiting to become successful.
"Everyone would agree that recruiting is the lifeline of an elite-level program," she said. "We are proud to bring our second consecutive nationally ranked recruiting class to The University of Memphis. KK, along with top-100 players Mary Jackson and Jasmine Lee, will help us continue or climb to the top of Conference USA and beyond."
The Tigers are expected to look for one more signee during the spring basketball signing period, as there are currently two seniors on the squad - guards Tehani Goldsmith and LaToya Bullard. Although Goldsmith will graduate, Bullard is eligible to request a medical redshirt after undergoing season-ending back surgery last year.
The U of M will begin its 2009-10 regular season at 5 p.m. Friday against Indiana at FedExForum.
Sharee "KK" Harvey, a 6-foot-2 post player from Mesquite, Texas, became McFerrin's first signee for the 2010-11 season when she signed a National Letter of Intent yesterday. She will also be the Tigers' only early signing period signee, as she will join three other players who are already in Memphis but are sitting out this season due to NCAA transfer rules or injury.
"We feel that we landed one of the most skilled and versatile (post players) in the class with the signing of KK Harvey," said McFerrin. "Her footwork, passing ability and great hands will allow her to play both facing and back to the basket. She will be extremely effective in our offensive system."
Harvey, ranked the No. 60 small forward in the 2010 class according to the Collegiate Girls Basketball report, averaged 9.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game last year at North Mesquite High School. She earned academic all-district honors each season from 2006-2009, and was a first team all-district selection in her sophomore and junior seasons.
The left-handed forward recently tore her ACL and will miss her senior season while undergoing rehabilitation for the injury.
Harvey's signing brings McFerrin's Class of 2010 total to four players, as she will join transfers Mary Jackson and Jasmine Lee, along with freshman Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, who tore her ACL during the preseason and will retain her freshman year of eligibility. Harvey joins a group of incoming players that is already ranked No. 53 in the nation and second in C-USA by the Allstar Girls Report.
Since taking over the reigns as coach in 2008, McFerrin has stressed the importance of recruiting to become successful.
"Everyone would agree that recruiting is the lifeline of an elite-level program," she said. "We are proud to bring our second consecutive nationally ranked recruiting class to The University of Memphis. KK, along with top-100 players Mary Jackson and Jasmine Lee, will help us continue or climb to the top of Conference USA and beyond."
The Tigers are expected to look for one more signee during the spring basketball signing period, as there are currently two seniors on the squad - guards Tehani Goldsmith and LaToya Bullard. Although Goldsmith will graduate, Bullard is eligible to request a medical redshirt after undergoing season-ending back surgery last year.
The U of M will begin its 2009-10 regular season at 5 p.m. Friday against Indiana at FedExForum.