Colorado University Athletics
Payne Signs Swartz And Tuitele For 2018 Recruiting Class
November 08, 2017 | Women's Basketball
BOULDER – Colorado women's basketball coach JR Payne announced the signing of two student-athletes to the 2018 recruiting class. Cameron Swartz and Sirena "Peanut" Tuitele each signed a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday during the NCAA's early signing period.
"We are so excited that Cam and Peanut are officially joining our Buff family today," Payne said. "The truth is, they both felt like family from the moment they stepped foot on campus. Cam and Peanut embody everything that a coach wants in their program. They are hard-working gym rats, extremely selfless, great teammates and will be incredible Buffs for many years to come."
Swartz is a 5-foot-11 guard from Marietta, Georgia, where she is currently a senior at Fellowship Christian School. She averaged 24.1 points and 7.1 rebounds as a junior last season, while accumulating numerous accolades. She was named second-team all-state and first-team all-metro and all-region. She was also a first-team all-region honoree as a sophomore.
She is a three-star recruit, according to ESPN. The ESPN evaluations note that she has deep range with a quick release and plays up-tempo. They also say she is more than just a long-distance shooter as she can see the court well and can score off the dribble.
An excellent all-around athlete, Swartz has also lettered in track, softball and soccer. She placed fourth at the state meet in the long jump and also finished second in the region in the triple jump. In softball, she was an all-region selection as a shortstop and third baseman, where she batted .452. In soccer, she helped Fellowship Christian to a state championship as a sophomore.
"Cam has the ability to play all three guard positions," Payne said. "With one of the purest strokes I've ever seen, she has incredibly deep range. If we were writing a scouting report on Cam, we would say, 'parking lot range,' meaning that she can shoot it all the way from the parking lot. Cameron and her family are already ingratiated in our program here at CU and we are thrilled that it is finally official."
Tuitele is a 6-foot-1 forward from Chico, California, where she is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School. She has been named all-state three times and was the most valuable player of the Northern Section in California. As a junior last season, she averaged 16.4 points and 6.6 rebounds, leading Pleasant Valley to a 22-7 record, including a perfect 10-0 in league play, and the third round of the state tournament. She has scored over 1,000 points in her career and has averaged over 14 points each of her three seasons on varsity.
She is a three-star recruit, according to ESPN, and ranked as the 14th-best forward in the nation. Her evaluation notes that she is tough and competitive and can play on the perimeter and shoot from the outside. She also rebounds and scores against contact.
Like Swartz, she is also a multi-sport athlete and was her high school's leader in kills during the volleyball season.
"Peanut is a coach's dream," Payne said. "She is tough, physical, selfless and extremely competitive. She raises the level of play in her entire team with her passion and competitive spirit. A true leader, I believe that Peanut's presence will be felt immediately, not only on the basketball court, but in our entire community."
The Buffs are coming off a 17-16 record last season, reaching the third round of the WNIT under Payne, who was in her first year in the program. CU begins the 2017-18 season on Friday at Samford.
"We are so excited that Cam and Peanut are officially joining our Buff family today," Payne said. "The truth is, they both felt like family from the moment they stepped foot on campus. Cam and Peanut embody everything that a coach wants in their program. They are hard-working gym rats, extremely selfless, great teammates and will be incredible Buffs for many years to come."
Swartz is a 5-foot-11 guard from Marietta, Georgia, where she is currently a senior at Fellowship Christian School. She averaged 24.1 points and 7.1 rebounds as a junior last season, while accumulating numerous accolades. She was named second-team all-state and first-team all-metro and all-region. She was also a first-team all-region honoree as a sophomore.
She is a three-star recruit, according to ESPN. The ESPN evaluations note that she has deep range with a quick release and plays up-tempo. They also say she is more than just a long-distance shooter as she can see the court well and can score off the dribble.
An excellent all-around athlete, Swartz has also lettered in track, softball and soccer. She placed fourth at the state meet in the long jump and also finished second in the region in the triple jump. In softball, she was an all-region selection as a shortstop and third baseman, where she batted .452. In soccer, she helped Fellowship Christian to a state championship as a sophomore.
"Cam has the ability to play all three guard positions," Payne said. "With one of the purest strokes I've ever seen, she has incredibly deep range. If we were writing a scouting report on Cam, we would say, 'parking lot range,' meaning that she can shoot it all the way from the parking lot. Cameron and her family are already ingratiated in our program here at CU and we are thrilled that it is finally official."
Tuitele is a 6-foot-1 forward from Chico, California, where she is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School. She has been named all-state three times and was the most valuable player of the Northern Section in California. As a junior last season, she averaged 16.4 points and 6.6 rebounds, leading Pleasant Valley to a 22-7 record, including a perfect 10-0 in league play, and the third round of the state tournament. She has scored over 1,000 points in her career and has averaged over 14 points each of her three seasons on varsity.
She is a three-star recruit, according to ESPN, and ranked as the 14th-best forward in the nation. Her evaluation notes that she is tough and competitive and can play on the perimeter and shoot from the outside. She also rebounds and scores against contact.
Like Swartz, she is also a multi-sport athlete and was her high school's leader in kills during the volleyball season.
"Peanut is a coach's dream," Payne said. "She is tough, physical, selfless and extremely competitive. She raises the level of play in her entire team with her passion and competitive spirit. A true leader, I believe that Peanut's presence will be felt immediately, not only on the basketball court, but in our entire community."
The Buffs are coming off a 17-16 record last season, reaching the third round of the WNIT under Payne, who was in her first year in the program. CU begins the 2017-18 season on Friday at Samford.
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