Fresno State Athletics
White Unveils 2015 Signing Class
11/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State first-year women's basketball head coach Jaime White has announced the signing of five players to her 2015 class. The group includes junior college standout Anais Kirvan, California natives Zaria Branch and Candice White, Raven Johnson from Dallas, Texas, and Breanne Knishka from central Washington.
"We are extremely pleased with our recruiting class this year," White said. "The five players we have signed bring a multitude of talent and diversity. We are pleased to welcome them to the Bulldog family and anticipate much success.
"All five recruits have high character and will be a positive addition to our Fresno State tradition of excelling in the classroom and on the basketball court."
Anais Kirvan | Forward/Center | 6-2 | Ashfield, New South Wales, Australia | Burwood Girls High (Vincennes University)
Kirvan is rated as the No. 1 junior college center in the 2015 class and the No. 12 overall prospect in the junior college ranks this season according to Dan Olsen's Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. Before joining Vincennes University, Kirvan was a standout center in Australia, leading Burwood to three state championships and earning Sportswoman of the Year in both 2010 and 2012.
Coach White's comments...
"Anais is a junior college standout who will be a presence early at both the four and five spots. She brings with her a balanced attack inside and out."
Zaria Branch | Guard | 5-10 | San Diego, Calif. | Mt. Miguel High School
Branch finished her junior year averaging 13.9 points per game. During the posteason she was named first-team All-EastCountySports.com and first-team All-Grossmont Valley League. She was also selected to the California All-State Division III team as selected by CalHiSports.com, and the California All-State Division III second team as selected by MaxPreps.com.
Coach White's comments...
"Zaria will bring athleticism and an unstoppable scoring mentality. She is also very versatile, having the ability to play anywhere from the one, two or three spot."
Raven Johnson | Guard | 5-11 | Dallas, Texas | Skyline High School
Johnson was Skyline's Sixth Man of the Year and named second-team all-district during the 2013-14 season for Cassandra McGurdy's squad. She was also an all-district second team honoree that season for a program that had captured three straight district championships and reached the regional finals in 2014 with a record of 32-7. She has competed for both DFW Elite and Urban DFW Elite, which has competed at both the Adidas Nationals and Nike Nationals.
Coach White's comments...
"She's tall, quick, and athletic. Raven will be able to defend any perimeter in our league. She has the speed, explosiveness and vision to get to the rim."
Breanne Knishka | Guard | 5-10 | Dryden, Wash. | Cashmere High School
An all-around athlete, Knishka rarely lost a game at Cashmere. She was an all-league performer both as a freshman and junior, and earned first-team all-state honors last season as she led Cashmere to a 26-1 record where they finished third at the state finals. Under the guidance of Steve Klees at the Northwest Orange Blazers, Knishka played for the AAU team for three summers, and averaging 14.5 points, five rebounds this past summer. She has been nominated twice for the Adidas Nationals tournament team.
Coach White's comments...
"Bree has the diversity to play anywhere from the two through the four. She is a smart perimeter player with the ability to shoot the three or get to the rim. Defensively, she is outstanding and has a great head for the game."
Candice White | Point Guard | 5-8 | Modesto, Calif. | Modesto Christian
White is a local product that comes to Fresno State after captaining Modesto Christian and head coach Robb Spencer's Crusaders squad in 2013-14 as they captured the first CIF Division III championship in the program's storied history.
Coach White's comments...
"Candice comes to us from a great program in California state champion Modesto Christian. With good size and strength, she can play both the one and the two. She has great vision and exceptional shooting range."
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