LAS VEGAS - (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV women's basketball team is bringing in potentially one of the top if not the best recruiting class in program history as two players that were ranked in the top 70 nationally highlight Lindy La Rocque's first-ever full class as the Lady Rebels head coach. A total of five players have signed national letters of intent to play for UNLV starting in the fall of 2021-22.

"We are super excited to officially add this stellar recruiting class to our Lady Rebels family," said La Rocque. "First and foremost, they are outstanding young women with high character and great students in the classroom. On top of that, they are excellent basketball players with a burning love for the game and a deep desire to be the very best they can be." 

This marks the first time UNLV has ever signed multiple top-100 ranked recruits, as Alyssa Durazo-Frescas (Costa Mesa, California) was ranked #64 and Alyssa Brown (Tucson, Arizona) #66 by ESPNHoopGurlz this fall. Also joining La Rocque's recruiting class is Kenadee Winfrey (Canyon, Texas), Kiara Jackson (Grand Prairie, Texas) and Taylin Smith (Beaverton, Oregon).

Durazo-Frescas is a 5-7 combo guard who played for both Mater Dei High School as well as the West Coast Premier EYBL club team. For Mater Dei, she has already scored over 1000 points while leading the Monarchs to three Trinity League championship titles and the CIF open division championship. Named First-Team All-Trinity League, All-Orange County and All-CIF Open Division, she was nominated for the USA Today Los Angeles Sports Award after averaging 13.8 points per game her junior season.

"Alyssa Frescas is a high energy player," said La Rocque. "She is a total gym rat and flat out three-point shooter. She can shoot! We are pumped to have a threat like Alyssa on our team that can stretch the floor."

Brown comes to the Scarlet & Gray from Sahuaro High School in Tucson, and she claimed almost every single award available last season, as she was named Player of the Year in Arizona by Gatorade, Arizona Republic, Arizona Central, MaxPrep and was the Arizona Female Athlete of the Year, Twice selected as the Southern Arizona Player of the Year, the 6-1 forward holds the school's single season scoring record at 932 points and is a member of the 2,000 points club. A three-time first-team all-state and all-conference selection, she already ranks sixth in the Southern Arizona career scoring leader charts and 25th statewide. Brown led the Cougars to the state semifinals all three years, including one state championship runner-up finish. She played for the AZ Supreme in AAU.

"Alyssa "AB" Brown is a very mature and driven young woman," said La Rocque. "A high achieving student in the classroom that matches her work ethic and passion for basketball on the court. She is a skilled, versatile forward that can score in many different ways to punish defenses. We are thrilled to have Alyssa on our team!"

UNLV signed two players from Texas this season. First is Winfrey, a 5-11 shooting guard who led the Canyon HS Eagles to a pair of district championships as well as to the state regional quarterfinals in both 2017-18 and 2019-20. The District Co-MVP as a junior, she also was named TABC All-State, All-Region, and TGCA All-State. As a freshman, she claimed both Freshman of the Year and District Newcomer of the Year honors for the Eagles. Winfrey plays her club ball for the D.C. Queens.

"Kenadee is a fierce competitor," said La Rocque. "With her size and perimeter shooting ability, she can play multiple positions and attack mismatches on the court. Kenadee's work ethic will elevate our team and culture."

The next Texan native, Jackson led the South Grand Prairie High School Warriors to both a regional quarterfinal and a regional finals finish in her three years on the team. A 5-7 point guard, she posted season averages of 11.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.3 apg and 2.1 spg on the way to earning District MVP honors. Jackson is also a two-time all-state and all-region selection as well as a first-team all-district honoree. She played AAU for the North Texas Shockers.

"As a point guard, Kiara is a natural leader on the court," said La Rocque. "Her court vision and basketball IQ allow her to have great command of the floor and know when to be assertive. We're excited to see how Kiara can impact our team." 

Smith is the first Lady Rebels signee from the state of Oregon since Lake Oswego's Brittany Halberg (2005-09). A 5-6 point guard, she claimed Pacific Conference Player of the Year honors for Liberty High School after averaging 16 points, 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals per game her senior year. Smith led the Talons to a pair of conference championship titles and a state semifinal appearance in 2020 while claiming first team all-state recognition. She was a member of the Upper Left Legion AAU squad as well. 

"Taylin is a super dynamic guard. She can play with the ball in her hands as a point guard or on the wing looking to score. She is tough and a tireless worker. Her pace and tempo will be a great addition to our offensive style of play."