Women’s basketball snags two top recruits
By Matt Stevens
Nov. 19, 2008 10:08 p.m.
Wednesday afternoon, women’s basketball coach Nikki Caldwell announced the signing of two recruits that will make up part of her first recruiting class at UCLA.
Markel Walker, a 6-foot-1-inch forward of Schenley High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., comes in touted as the No. 4 high school player in the nation and the No. 1 wing player according to ESPNU.
Joining Walker will be Mariah Williams, a 5-4 point guard out of Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colo., whom ESPNU ranked as the No. 21 point guard in the country. Williams was a first-team All-State selection last season according to the Rocky Mountain News.
“These two young ladies have given us a great start as the first recruiting class for our new coaching staff here at UCLA,” Caldwell said. “They both bring quite a bit of ability and character with them, and we look forward to them joining the Bruin family and helping us to continue to build on the successes of the program.”
Walker had verbally committed to Pitt her junior year, where her sister Marcedes averaged a double-double in points and rebounds as an impact post player last season. But Markel decommitted from Pitt last May and signed with the Bruins Wednesday.
Walker was named the 2007-2008 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Pennsylvania and was invited to the USA under-18 National Team trials. She averaged 16.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game as a high school junior last season.
According to ESPN.com, Walker “really likes to get up in the offensive player and put serious pressure on the ball,” and “she can sky to the rim and snatch a rebound, then start and finish the break all by herself.” All this matches up well with Caldwell’s desire to create a team identity that focuses on defense and board play.
Williams, who averaged 11.5 points, 4.2 assists and 3.3 steals per game told ESPN.com that coach Caldwell was a huge reason she chose UCLA over Stanford and Arizona State.
“I really feel Nikki can maximize my potential as a young lady,” Williams said. “I really liked her personality on and off the court.”
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