Nov. 16, 2011
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Four California natives, Amie Callaway, Jehiah Cook, Rejane Verin and Jazzmeen Williams have all signed national letters of intent to play for the UNLV women's basketball team starting in the fall of 2012-13, head coach Kathy Olivier announced on Wednesday.
Callaway, a 6-2 forward/center from La Mesa, was an all-league selection for San Diego High last year while leading the team to a 27-9 overall record and a perfect 10-0 mark in conference play. She averaged a double-double of 12.7 points and 13.4 rebounds, and is ranked as No. 54 at her position by ESPN/HoopGurlz in this year's recruiting class. She plays for the EBO (Elite Basketball Organization) club team, and was a teammate of current Lady Rebel freshman Danielle Miller. Callaway is also a standout on the volleyball court, named the league MVP in her junior season.
"Amie is a physical presence down low, but can also run the floor very well," said Olivier. "She's a really smart player on the court, and a strong rebounder as well, having averaged a double-double last year."
Cook is a 5-5 point guard and native of Sacramento, where she played for Sacramento High and helped them to a 28-6 record as well as an appearance in the state semifinals. She also helped her team to a perfect 14-0 mark and the CIF DIII section championship. After spending her first two seasons backing up Brittany Shine, currently a sophomore on the University of Florida squad this year, Cook averaged 4.6 points and 2.0 assists per game as a junior. She is rated No. 128 at her position by ESPN/HoopGurlz.
"Jehiah is a very speedy, quick point guard," said Olivier. "She's active on both ends of the court, she plays feisty on defense, will get up and down the court fast, and just has a huge passion for the game."
Verin, a 6-2 guard/forward, is another Lady Rebel recruit that averaged a double-double last year, with totals of 11.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per contest. A native of Los Angeles, she helped Serra High to a 29-6 overall record and to the semifinals of the CIF DIII section championships, before falling to eventual champion St. Joseph's. Verin, who plays for the Balboa Elite club program in the summer, is originally a native of Guadalupe.
"Rejane is perhaps our most athletic recruit," said Olivier. "She has good hands, great instincts, and we expect her to make a very good contribution on the defensive side of the floor with her skills in rebounding and blocking shots."
The final recruit is Jazzmeen Williams, a 6-4 center from San Bernardino. Though she is playing her senior year for San Bernardino High, Williams played her junior year at Cajon High, and averaged 8.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game on the way to earning all-league and all-area honors. She helped the Cowboys to a final 29-2 record and to the quarterfinals of the CIF Division 1AA sectional tournament.
"Jazzmeen should be another good addition for us defensively," said Olivier. "At 6-4 she has a good-sized body, and will also help us on offense in the post."
