UCLA women’s basketball adds depth at point guard with four-star recruit Alexis Perry
By Min Kang
May 19, 2011 12:18 a.m.
Seeking to bolster its depth at the point guard position, the UCLA women’s basketball team has signed Alexis Perry of Brea Olinda High School, it was announced Monday.
Perry is listed as a four-star recruit by ESPN Rise. The 5-foot-7-inch guard averaged 10 points per game as a senior for the Wildcats last season, and helped the team amass a 31-2 overall record, along with a No. 4 national ranking.
“The reality is that the point guard position is where we were thinnest in, though we do have some really good pieces already in place,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “In any situation, you want to have as much depth as possible, and Alexis Perry has a great basketball IQ, excellent work ethic and a strong character from a really strong family.
“She has dreamed about being at UCLA, and I think you can’t put a price tag on someone who had four other Pac-12 offers. She was chomping at the bit to become a Bruin.”
With the departure of Doreena Campbell because of graduation, Perry will be joining rising junior Mariah Williams and rising sophomore Thea Lemberger as the three point guards on the team for next season.
“We’re going to find a way to put the best unit of people out on the floor, and I’m not afraid to think non-traditionally about that,” Close said. “My goal is to figure out which group of people puts us in the best position to win possession by possession. In the brief time, I’m really pleased with the guards’ focus and their willingness to be pushed outside of their comfort zone.”
Regarding her assistant coaches, Close has rounded out her staff and expects to make the announcement of her three assistants within the next few days.
Compiled by Min Kang, Bruin Sports senior staff.
