Yori, Huskers Sign Talented Class

Lincoln - Nebraska women’s basketball coach Connie Yori announced on Thursday the signing of a large and talented five-player recruiting class to join the Huskers in 2010-11.

Headlining the Husker class is Alliance High School star Jordan Hooper. The 6-2 forward averaged 23.2 points, 14.2 rebounds, 4.6 steals and 4.6 blocked shots to earn her second straight spot on the Omaha World-Herald’s All-Nebraska team and Lincoln Journal Star’s Super-State squad in 2009. A three-time Class B all-state selection, Hooper has led the Bulldogs to three straight state tournament appearances, including the 2007 Class B state title and a 2008 runner-up finish. Last season, Alliance finished third in the state, and Hooper exploded for 34 points, 18 rebounds and 13 blocks in a win over Holdrege to finish the year.

Hooper chose Nebraska over Kansas, Kansas State, Wyoming and Colorado State.

"Jordan is the best senior in the state of Nebraska and one of the best players to ever come out of our state," Yori said. "She is extremely athletic and versatile. She is more than just a good athlete. She has great basketball skill and is a very good student. When you add Jordan in with the rest of our class, we have added size and athleticism across the board."

Joining Hooper inside will be 6-3 forward/center Adrianna Maurer, who led Bishop Miege Shawnee Mission, Kan., to the Class 5A state title in 2009. Maurer was a Class 5A honorable-mention all-state pick by both the Wichita Eagle and Topeka Capital Journal as a junior.

Katie Simon, a 6-2 forward from Roseville, Calif., will give the Huskers another versatile, hard-working player in the paint. Last season, Simon averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 2.5 steals and 2.1 assists per game for Roseville High School in the suburbs of Sacramento. In addition to her success on the court, Simon carries a 4.1 GPA and considered several Ivy League schools because of her academic success.

The Huskers will also add a pair of big guards in 2010-11 with the signing of Rebecca Woodberry and Kellie McCann-Smith. Woodberry, a 5-10 guard out of Tolleson Union High School in Phoenix, Ariz., averaged 23.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game as a junior. She also hit 44 percent of her three-pointers. Woodberry helped Tolleson to a state title in Arizona’s second-largest class, while earning first-team all-state honors.

McCann-Smith, a 5-9 guard out of Clarkston High School in Washington, rounds out NU’s class after averaging 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game as a junior. She was a first-team Class 2A all-state selection in 2009 and is an excellent student, carrying better than a 3.9 GPA.

"We really like the versatility, size and work ethic we have added with the five players in this class," Yori said. "Obviously we needed a great recruiting class to replace the six seniors we expect to lose at the end of this season. I couldn’t be more pleased with this class because it is loaded with talent, character and potential."

Jordan Hooper
6-2, Forward, Alliance, Neb. (Alliance)
Jordan Hooper committed to Nebraska in April following her junior season at Alliance High School. Hooper, a three-time Class B all-state selection and two-time all-class, all-state pick heading into her senior season, has powered the Bulldogs to three straight top-three Class B state tournament finishes. She helped Alliance to the school’s first-ever state title as a freshman in 2007, before guiding the Bulldogs to a runner-up finish in 2008 and a third-place showing in 2009.

As a junior, the 6-2 forward averaged 23.2 points, 14.3 rebounds, 4.6 steals and 4.6 blocked shots per game. In her final game as a junior in a state tournament win over Holdrege, Hooper exploded for 34 points, 18 rebounds and 13 blocked shots. She was named the captain of the Lincoln Journal Star’s Class B all-state team in both 2008 and 2009.

In addition to her success on the basketball court, Hooper is also an all-state volleyball player and has competed in track and field. She received a scholarship offer from traditional national power Nebraska to play volleyball, but chose to pursue basketball at the collegiate level. She finished among the top five in the state in Class B in both the long jump and 200 meters in 2009.

"Jordan is the best senior in the state of Nebraska and one of the best players to ever come out of our state," Nebraska Coach Connie Yori said. "She is extremely athletic and versatile. She is more than just a good athlete, she has great basketball skill. She can score on the low block and off the dribble. She can shoot the three and is a very good ball-handler and passer for her size. She is also going to enhance our rebounding, and she is a very good student."

Hooper chose Nebraska over Kansas, Kansas State, Wyoming and Colorado State among others, but was focused on remaining close to home early in her recruiting process.

"I know a lot of people from Alliance go to school at Nebraska," Hooper said. "I think there will be a comfort level for me there. Going to Nebraska seems like a great fit for me."

Adrianna Maurer
6-3, Forward/Center, Shawnee Mission, Kan. (Bishop Miege)
Adrianna Maurer will join the Huskers following a distinguished high school career at Bishop Miege in Shawnee Mission, Kan. Maurer was an honorable-mention All-Class 5A selection by both the Wichita Eagle and the Topeka Capital-Journal at the conclusion of her junior season when she helped Bishop Miege to a state championship. She is also a two-time All-East Kansas League selection, including second-team honors in 2008-09. As a junior, Maurer led the Stags in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots for Coach Terry English. She helped Miege to its 16th state basketball title in history.

Maurer also competed in volleyball and track and field, participating in the javelin and high jump. She helped Miege to the school’s 19th state volleyball title in history. She earned the Bishop Miege Academic Excellence Award in 2009 after posting a 3.8 grade-point average. She is also a National Honor Society member. Adrianna’s sister, Leah, is a 6-5 sophomore outside hitter on UNLV’s volleyball team.

"Adrianna is a very good low-block scorer and rebounder and has range to 15 feet," Nebraska Coach Connie Yori said. "She came to our camp and showed the ability to score on the low block against bigger players. She was part of a state championship team in both basketball and volleyball, and she is also an outstanding student."

Kellie McCann-Smith
5-9, Guard, Asotin, Wash. (Clarkston)
Kellie McCann-Smith will be looked to help fill the void left by departing senior guards Yvonne Turner, Kala Kuhlmann and Nicole Neals on next year’s Nebraska women’s basketball team.

McCann-Smith averaged 20.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game for Coach Scott Thompson at Clarkston High School in Washington. McCann-Smith was a first-team Class 2A all-state selection as a senior and has earned all-state honors each of her first three high school seasons. She also competed for the Northwest Blazers - one of the dominant club teams in the nation - coached by Steve Klees out of Spokane, which is approximately two hours from Clarkston.

A talented all-around athlete, McCann-Smith was also a four-year volleyball letterwinner and earned two letters in tennis. She is the youngest of six sisters. Academically, she was a Washington State Scholar-Athlete and carries better than a 3.9 grade-point average.

McCann-Smith continues Nebraska’s recent recruiting success in the Northwest, joining 2009 Washington High School Player of the Year Lindsey Moore and Canadians Kaitlyn Burke and Harleen Sidhu from British Columbia.

McCann-Smith chose Nebraska over New Mexico, Washington and Long Beach State.

Nebraska Coach Connie Yori said McCann-Smith’s competitive nature could help her make the transition to Division I basketball.

"Kellie is a scoring combo-guard who is extremely competitive. She can shoot the three or create shots off the dribble. She attended our camp this summer and really competed well. She is also a very good student."

McCann-Smith said the people she met in Nebraska made an impact on her decision to choose the Huskers.

"The people seemed like good people, and I feel like I will be supported and get the highest education possible at Nebraska."

Katie Simon
6-2, Forward, Roseville, Calif. (Roseville)
Katie Simon will add to Nebraska’s versatile group of forwards in 2010-11. The 6-2 native of suburban Sacramento, Calif., averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds, four blocked shots and two assists as a junior for Coach Ron Volk at Roseville High School. Last season, Simon earned All-Sierra Foothill League honors in Division II of the California Interscholastic Federation. She also played club basketball for the Sacramento Believers and Coach Marvin Nakamoto. Scholastically, Simon carries a 4.1 GPA, earned an academic merit award and is a National Honor Society member. She was also a two-time letterwinner as a volleyball player.

Simon will join current freshman Meghin Williams as California natives on the 2010-11 Nebraska roster. Simon chose Nebraska over San Diego, Princeton and Long Beach State.

Nebraska Coach Connie Yori said Simon’s athletic ability and work ethic would benefit the Huskers.

"Katie is a very mobile post who fits our transition style on both offense and defense. She plays with a continuous moter, has range to 15 feet and can guard multiple positions on the floor. She can also rebound, and is a terrific student."

Rebecca Woodberry
5-10, Guard, Phoenix, Ariz. (Tolleson Union)
Rebecca Woodberry joined Jordan Hooper and Adrianna Maurer in committing to the Nebraska program in April of 2009. She also attended Coach Connie Yori’s Nebraska Women’s Basketball Summer Camp in July, along with Maurer and Kellie McCann-Smith.

Woodberry averaged 23.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game while leading Coach Todd Nelson’s Tolleson Union High School team to the 2009 Arizona Class 5A Division II title. Woodberry, who connected on 44 percent of her three-point attempts on the season, helped lead the Wolverines to a 29-3 record while being named first-team Class 5A, and the region player of the year. Along the way she set a school record with 56 three-pointers made on the season.

She also played club basketball for Coach Gregory Strickling and the Arizona Swish, while also playing for the Arizona Rebels and Coach Mike O’Guinn. Woodberry also earned one varsity letter in track, helping the 4x800-meter relay team finish second in the state with a school-record time. She also lettered once in golf.

Off the court, Woodberry carries a 4.3 grade-point average, is a member of the National Honor Society and is a state finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman.

Woodberry is the second player out of the state of Arizona to commit to Nebraska in recent years, joining current Husker senior Nicole Neals from Chandler, Ariz. Neals, a three-time letterwinner, was the first player from Arizona to earn a letter in Nebraska women’s basketball history.

Nebraska Coach Connie Yori said Woodberry could provide an explosive presence for the Huskers on the perimeter.

"Becca is an athletic guard who can score in a variety of ways. She shoots the three well, gets to the basket, scores in the post, scores on offensive rebounds and is great in transition. She can guard multiple positions, and defensively she will be a stopper for us. She is a perfect fit for our up-tempo style. She is also a very good student."

Woodberry said NU’s overall athletic and academic programs made her decision to travel from the Southwest to Nebraska easy.

"I chose Nebraska because I like their style of play and they have a great coaching staff and community support."