Fresno State Athletics
Bulldog Basketball Announces Signing Of Three Players
11/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 14, 2006
Fresno, Calif. - At the conclusion of the early recruiting period, women's basketball head coach Adrian Wiggins has announced the signing of three recruits. The three players will be eligible to play during the 2007-08 season, following the end of the year at their current institutions.
All three signees are part of top California programs, with one playing for defending state champion Long Beach Poly and two joining the Bulldogs from semifinalist Pinole Valley High School. "We find a lot of value in players that used to winning and working hard," said head coach Adrian Wiggins. "Players like these that are used to setting academics and basketball as a priority adjust very well to our program."
Taja Edwards, a 5-11 forward out of Long Beach Poly, has been a multi-year starter for the southern California powerhouse, helping lead the team to last year's state championship victory, as well as playing for the California Sparks, one of the top AAU teams in the area. "Taja is a great combo player from one of the best programs in the country," said Wiggins. She is a very physical athlete, and can score off the dribble from any position."
Joining Edwards are a pair of athletes from Pinole Valley high school, Jaleesa Ross and Marnique Arnold. Arnold has gained a reputation as one of the top defenders in the state, if not the best, and Ross has been one of the team leaders in scoring, averaging 12.6 ppg last season. Both have been integral to the team's recent success, one that saw the team go undefeated in league play as well as posting a 30-2 record last season.
"Marnique is a very intelligent player, and an excellent defender. We're very excited to have her join us here, and I feel like she'll have a great career at Fresno State," said Wiggins. "As for Jaleesa, she is a very explosive and exciting player, a true scoring point guard. She has a chance to make an immediate impact on our program."
With the end of the early signing period, the Bulldogs will focus on the upcoming season while still preparing for the main signing window, which comes at the end of the season in April.
"With this class we signed three top California players which is a sign that our program is growing, that interest in our program throughout the state is growing, and that's a positive for where we are headed," said Wiggins. "We are still looking to solidify some post positions through the rest of our incoming class, but this group gives us a great head start as we enter the regular season."
