MALIBU, Calif. – The Pepperdine women’s basketball team signed four players today, including two of the best prep players in California from Sacred Heart Cathedral High School.
The Waves signed four guards, Skye Barnett (Albuquerque, New Mexico / Cibola HS), Audrey Rae Miller, (Portland, Ore. / Central Catholic HS), Jazmine Jackson (Oakland, Calif. / Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep HS) and Lauren Bell (San Bruno, Calif. / Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep.)
“I really appreciate all the hard work our staff did in signing such high-caliber players with high character and morality,” said Pepperdine Head Coach Julie Rousseau. “I expect these players to fill the void our senior class will leave. They all have exceptional skills and talents.”
Information about each signee and coaches’ comments follow:
SKYE BARNETT
Guard, 5’11”, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Cibola High School
Listed as one of the 2007 New Mexico top ten prep players ... 2007 District 1-5A Co-Player of the Year ... 2007 all-city first team ... Leading scorer for her high school team ... Averaged 13.2 points, 8.9 rebounds. 2.2 steals and 2 assists ... Six time Pepsi Player of the Week 2005-07 ... APS Outstanding Female Athlete, winter 2007 ... Led team to first district championship in school history.
Pepperdine Coach Julie Rousseau said “Skye is one of the most gifted natural athletes in this class. Her versatility and athleticism make her an excellent defender. We look at her skills and we’re excited to develop the athlete within. Skye and Audrey Miller played on an AAU team together, so the transition should be easier for both of them.”
“I decided to come to Pepperdine mainly because it’s a Christian College with high academic standards, after seeing how dedicated and hardworking the coaching staff and student athletes were, I knew without a doubt in my mind that Pepperdine is the school where God wanted me to be,” said Barnett.
AUDREY RAE MILLER
Guard, 5’11” Portland, Ore. / Central Catholic High School
Was selected to the 2006 Mount Hood Conference first team ... Received 2006 state honorable mention ... Tabbed 2007 Mount Hood Conference second team ... Named to Lake Oswego Interstate Shootout all-tournament team in 2006 ... Elected as captain of high school squad ... Member of National Honor Society.
Pepperdine Coach Julie Rousseau said “She’s a sharpshooter; however she has a lot more to her game. She has the ability to pass, see the floor well and understand a higher level of basketball. I’m excited about what she will bring to the game ... She’s a specialist in terms of what she does and she does it well.”
“I love the coaches and the players and feel as though the team has an uncompromising commitment to the pursuit of excellence,” said Miller.
JAZMINE CATRINA JACKSON
Guard, 5’9 1/2” Oakland, Calif. Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep
Named as one of the top ten prep players in Northern California ... Tabbed by CalhiSports as a Top Six Player ... Made Division III all-state first team as a junior ... Was picked as a first team San Jose Mercury all-leaguer in 2006 ... San Francisco Examiner Player of the Year (2005-06) ... San Francisco Chronicle Player of the Year (2006) .. Helped lead team to win Division III State Championships (2005-06).
Pepperdine Coach Julie Rousseau said “Jazmine is a teammate of Lauren Bell’s. I’m thrilled they wanted to stay together and play another four years as teammates. They play well together and they’ll definitely make our team more solid. Jazmine is very versatile and an excellent defender. Offensively, I expect her to create havoc on the perimeter for our opponents.”
“I chose Pepperdine for the academics, the wonderful campus and community and also because of the wonderful players, staff and coaches of the women’s basketball program, Coach Julie, Coach Vanessa, Coach Shelley and Coach Tina who all wanted me to become a new member of the Wave family. Attending Pepperdine will allow to me to get a quality education at a great school!” said Jackson.
LAUREN ASHLEY BELL
Guard, 5’6”, San Bruno, Calif. Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep
First recruit to commit to Pepperdine from the 2007 class ... Teammate of Jazmine Jackson ... Averaged 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals per game ... Chosen to first team All-WCAL in 2006 ... Helped lead team to back-to-back Division III California State Titles (2005-06) ... Cousin Joseph Walsh graduated from Pepperdine (class of 68’) .
Julie Rousseau said “Lauren is a very versatile guard. She has a lot of skills and is a defensive specialist. Having her with us will make us a better defensive team. She’s a member of a two-time California State Champion team. She’s a winner in every aspect.”
“Academically, I felt Pepperdine offered the best in education. After spending much time with the coaching staff and team, my decision was made. Pepperdine was the perfect fit for me. The thing that impressed me the most about the coaching staff is there love and caring towards their players. They are there for you on and off the court,” said Bell.
