Women's Basketball Signs Two
November 15, 2005 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 15, 2005
Louisville, Ky. - Two players have signed national letters-of-intent to continue their basketball playing careers at the University of Louisville announced head coach Tom Collen. Forward Jasmine Smith and guard Brandie Radde give the Cardinals a great start to matching last season's top recruiting class.
"We are excited about both of our early signees," said Collen. "We set the goal of signing a couple of big wings who could shoot the three and that's exactly what we landed."
Smith, a 6-1 forward from Stone Mountain, Ga., is ranked 30th in the nation by Blue Star Basketball Rankings. She helped guide Stephenson High School to a regional championship and a Final Four appearance last season. She finished her junior year averaging 12 points, seven rebounds and two steals per game.
She was named Offensive Player of the Year her junior season. Smith played AAU for the Magic which won the national championship in 2003. She was named to the Peach State Holiday Tournament all-tournament last season. Along with her athletic abilities, she has been on the honor roll the last three years.
Smith chose Louisville over Georgia and Georgia Tech.
"Jasmine is a great athlete with a physique to play the two, three or four positions," Collen said. "And she might even play some point guard for Stephenson High School this season. She has a great shot at competing for a state title this season. We love that fact that Jasmine is also an excellent student and is considering pre-med as a major."
Radde, a 5-11 guard from Niles, Mich., was ranked 89th in the nation by All-Star Girls Report and as the 14th best wing in the nation. She finished her junior season averaging 16.7 points, ranking her seventh in the state in scoring. She earned all-state honors last season and was ranked as one of the Top 30 Players in Michigan by the Detroit Free Press.
Radde holds the school record for three-point goals with 111 made after her junior season. She averaged six rebounds, three assists and three steals per game last season. She is a two-year starter and a three year letterwinner for Niles High School, helping them to a 60-15 record the last three seasons.
"Brandie is a very complete player who will do whatever it take for her team," said Collen. "She plays hard and smart all the time. We feel she may be one of the top three-point shooters in the country. She has a very complete game that will add many dimensions to our program."
Radde chose Louisville over Purdue and Marquette.
"We expect to sign a couple of players in the spring after we have a chance to evaluate our team this season," said Collen.
Smith and Radde join Cincinnati transfer Toni Slaughter to the Cardinals recruiting class.
