Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Sign Three To National Letters Of Intent
November 12, 2009 | Women's Basketball
"I am pleased to announce another great class for the University of Colorado women's basketball program," McConnell-Miller said. "These three young women will represent the University of Colorado with excellence in the classroom and on the court."
Kelley, a 6-foot forward from Denver, is gearing up for her senior season at East High School, where she is a two-time All-Denver Prep League first team selection. She averaged 13 points per game as a junior, guiding the Angels to a 16-8 record and a spot in the Colorado Class 5A State "Sweet 16." Kelley, a 2008 Denver Post Class 5A All-State honorable mention pick, helped the Angels to the 2009 DPL title with a perfect 8-0 mark. As a sophomore, Kelley helped East to a 21-4 record as the Angels advanced to the 2008 Class 5A "Great 8." Kelley was the lone underclassman on the All-DPL team and earned honorable mention to the Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post Class 5A All-State teams.
"Shae is a perfect fit into our system," McConnell-Miller said. "She's long, lean and versatile. She has a natural instinct and scoring ability. Shae is an extremely physical player that makes a difference offensively and defensively. She is a highly touted player and we are very pleased to get the top player out of the Denver Public Schools system. Receiving her NLI continues to solidify our commitment to keep the state's best players at home. The Kelley family's commitment to excellence in academics and athletics parallels our basketball program and university.
Kelley, who ranks as the 54th best wing/small forward in the nation according to ESPN.com's HoopGurlz, will be just the fifth Denver Public Schools girls basketball player to suit up for the Buffaloes, and the first since Montbello's Nikki Weddle (1997-99).
"We are excited that she is staying here in state with this coaching staff and program, they are a quality group of people and we we're really impressed by them," Shae's father Lewis Kelley said. "Kathy and her staff made it clear to us that Shae was a priority for them. (CU) was very consistent with that interest and downright enthusiastic, and we wanted that situation for her. We know she is gifted and a good student, but she needs someone that cares about her as an individual. I'm excited Kathy got her, she will be a great teacher for her."
The Wilson twins from Long Beach, Calif., will come to Boulder after playing for one of the most storied programs in Southern California. Ashley and Brittany are getting set to help Long Beach Poly try for a fifth straight California Division I State title. The twin 5-8 guards played key roles in helping the Jackrabbits to a 32-3 record in 2008-09 and a fourth consecutive state title. ESPN RISE FAB 50 had Long Beach Poly ranked No. 1 in the nation early in the 2008-09 season, ending at No. 30 while USA Today's final Super 25 rankings had the Jackrabbits at No. 23. Poly enters the 2009-10 season at No. 16 in ESPN RISE FAB 50 rankings. The duo have played in a number of elite prep tournaments, including the 2008 Nike Tournament of Champions, the 2008 Hawaii Iolani Classic, the 2008 T-Mobile Classic.
Ashley and Brittany will give CU two sets of identical twins in 2010 as the Wilson's will join Brenna and Meagan Malcolm-Peck who are true freshman forwards for the Buffaloes this season.
"When you hear Ashley and Brittany Wilson you think of two proven winners, coming off back-to-back-to-back state championships," McConnell-Milller said. "They've excelled against the best competition in the country both in high school and their national AAU program."
Ashley averaged 6.2 points and shot 48 percent from the field for the Jackrabbits as a junior. She also ranked third on the team with 88 steals, helping Poly to the Moore League title with a perfect 12-0 mark. As a sophomore, Ashley averaged 6.2 points and 2.2 steals as Poly won its final 22 games to finish 31-2 and a third straight state crown. She contributed to the Poly powerhouse and was voted team co-Newcomer of the Year as freshman in 2007, as the Jackrabbits finished 36-1 and ranked No. 2 in the final USA Today's Super 25 national rankings. Ashley ranks as the 53rd best guard in the nation according to ESPN.com's HoopGurlz.
"I felt very comfortable there, like I was home with my teammates," Ashley said. "On our visit, we had a chance to watch the team work out and it fit my type of play. (The CU staff) is similar to our coaches here, they expect a lot from you, and there is nothing you can't get accomplished.
"I hope to become a better player, get more of an understanding of the game and my position. I want to make my weaknesses stronger and do the things I'm good at even better. I just want to become an all around better person."
Brittany averaged 7.9 points and 3.5 steals as a junior as she was named to the All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)-Southern Section first team and the All-Moore League first team. As a sophomore, Brittany averaged 4.1 points and 2.3 steals per game, assisting Poly to a No. 3 final national ranking by USA Today's Super 25. She was voted the team co-Newcomer of the Year, along with her sister, as a freshman in 2007. Brittany is ranked as the No. 31 shooting guard in the country, according to ESPN.com HoopGurlz.
"The team was very welcoming, you can tell they are really a family," Brittany Wilson said. "(CU) was as excited about me signing as I was signing with them."
"Colorado was the one since the beginning. I saw them constantly at our games and that communication was there. It showed me they really wanted me to be there."
"They are two very athletic guards," McConnell-Miller said. "They are quick, have a great court presence and see the floor extremely well. Every time they step on the floor, they set the tone through their defense and make everyone around them better. The expectation is for them to come in and make an immediate impact on our back court."
The Collegiate Girls Basketball Report has already ranked CU's 2010 early signing class as No. 33 in the nation.
Colorado opens its 36th season of intercollegiate women's basketball by hosting UC Irvine on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m. at the Coors Events/Conference Center.
