When Adia Barnes was named Arizona’s head coach last April, the Wildcats had no recruits signed for 2016. Or 2017, for that matter.
Not anymore.
Barnes’ staff quickly landed Bria Rice and Lucia Alonso for 2016, and both have developed into contributors.
The coaching staff has since lined up a stellar 2017 class. Five players have signed with a class that is ranked between 30th and 34th nationally.
“We’ve gotten a lot of interest, a lot of excitement nationally,” Barnes said. “They are all good kids. I can’t wait to coach them. We want those kids in our program who want to be here and help us do special things.”
Here’s a look:
SAM FATKIN
Position: Guard
Height: 5 feet 10 inches
Hometown (high school): Snohomish, Washington (Glacier Peak)
Stats: Fatkin is rated a three-star recruit and 30th at her position by ESPN. Fatkin leads the state of Washington with 150 assists this season; she’s averaging 15 points, 7.5 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
Fun Fact: Found a baby picture with her wearing a UA cheerleader’s outfit. “It was meant to be,” she told Barnes.
She said it: “I like the philosophy that coaching staff is instilling in the players. My class has the same mindset and we’re excited to be part of a winning culture.”
Coachspeak: “She’s got a smooth stroke and is a great playmaker. She’s a great ball-handler and makes everyone around her better. She’s a baller and wants to be coached.” — UA assistant Kelly Rae Finley
SAM THOMAS
Position: Forward
Height: 6-0
Hometown (high school): Las Vegas (Centennial)
Stats: Rated a four-star recruit and the 18th-best wing and 95th-best player in the country by ESPN. Thomas is the reigning Nevada State Player of the Year and USA Today Player of the Year. She’s averaging 12 points, six rebounds and two steals per game. Moved to Las Vegas from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, in time for her junior year.
Fun fact: She’s a lefty who selected the UA over Michigan, Northwestern and UNLV.
She said it: “I want to learn and grow as person and player. And Arizona gives me best opportunity to do that.”
Coachspeak: “Her dad coached her (in Michigan), her sister plays college basketball at West Virginia. She has a great basketball IQ. She’s athletic — a finesse player. She can get to the rim and knows how to play basketball.” — Barnes
KIANA CHEW
Position: Forward
Height: 6-3
Hometown (high school): Tampa, Florida (Palm Harbor University)
Stats: Rated a three-star recruit and the 59th-best player in her position by ESPN. Chew is averaging 9.8 points, seven rebounds and 5.9 blocks per game.
Fun Fact: Chew has a 7-foot wing span and can dunk a tennis ball. She played club basketball in Germany for DJK Würzburg.
She said it: “If I work harder, by time I get to Arizona I will dunk a basketball.”
Coachspeak: “She works tirelessly. She wants to be a Wildcat; she believes in our vision, she believes in us and what we are building.” — Barnes
MARLEE KYLES
Position: Point guard
Height: 5-8
Hometown (high school): Elgin, Illinois (Larkin)
Stats: Rated a three-star recruit and the 23rd-best guard in the country by ESPN. Kyles is her school’s all-time scoring leader, male or female. She entered the weekend with 1,973 points.
Fun Fact: Kyles picked the UA over Syracuse. She loves to play pool and is learning to play guitar.
She said it: “I see us starting a winning culture. We will struggle at first — everyone does — but we will grow every year and eventually go to NCAA championship and win it.”
Coachspeak: “She sees the floor well; has great change of speed. She’s a gamer and is ultra-competitive. Not a lot of kids come (to a program) and want to be the first to do great things here. She’s one of those players—like Kelsey Plum at Washington or Sydney Wiese at Washington State.” — Barnes
MALLORY VAUGHN
Position: Forward
Height: 6-5
Hometown (high school): Owasso, Oklahoma (Collinsville)
Stats: Rated a three-star recruit, the 14th-best player at her position and the No. 1 player in Oklahoma by ESPN. She’s averaging 19 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks per game; she registered more than 100 blocks in each of her first three seasons and already has 90 as a senior.
Fun Fact: Vaughn was homecoming queen and is up for valedictorian of her class.
She said it: “I felt completely comfortable when I was on campus and with all the coaches. There wasn’t a moment when I wished I was at home or anywhere else. I’m really excited. I haven’t met the other girls (in the class), but I’ve looked them up and know they are super-successful and all want to win.”
Coachspeak: “Her team is No. 1 in the state. … She is unbelievably competitive and loves to be physical. She is also really important to what we are building here.” — Finley
