Women's Basketball Signs Nationally Ranked Recruiting Class
November 16, 1999 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 16, 1999
Los Angeles, Calif. -- Ebony Hoffman of Narbonne High in Harbor City, Calif., the top-rated post player in the country, has signed a letter-of-intent with the USC women's basketball team, head coach Chris Gobrecht announced today. Signing with Hoffman are guards Aisha Hollans of Berkeley High in Berkeley, Calif., and Ryane Alexander of Copperas Cove (Tex.) High.
Hoffman, a 6-foot-2 center, averaged 15.7 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game as a junior last season, and earned All-America, All-State and All-L.A. City accolades. She has been one of the main reasons why Narbonne is tabbed as the season's No.1-ranked team, according to several national pre-season polls. USA Today listed her as the No. 2 prep recruit and top post player.
"Ebony is the biggest thing that has happened to USC basketball since Lisa Leslie," said Gobrecht. "She is the type of player you can build a program around, not just because of her ability, but because of all the other intangibles she brings with her."
Also a highly-touted player, Hollans was recently ranked No. 21 among the nation's recruits by the All-Star Girls Report. Primarily a two guard, she is a playmaker and a strong shooter who has also led her prep squad to top national ranks. Berkeley High enters the season ranked No. 15 by USA Today. The 5-foot-9 guard has scored a total of 1,825 points in her prep career.
"Hollans is one of the most gifted guards in the nation," said Gobrecht. "She will give us a dimension that all great teams need to have, and her presence will complement Ebony.
Alexander, a 5-foot-7 point guard, hails from the 14th-ranked prep team in the country. Last season she averaged 8.2 points, 3.8 steals and 3.8 assists per game. A two-time all-region player, Alexander led the 1998 Texas Express to the U-16 National Championship.
"Ryane brings an element of toughness and greatness that I need to have on my teams. She also has the ability to inspire teams to play that tough," said Gobrecht.
"Collectively, the most notable thing about Ebony, Aisha and Ryane is that they come from three of the most highly regarded programs in the country. These players are winners through and through. Not only do we get the benefit of their talent, but we get their ability to inspire winners."
