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Women's Basketball
Law Signs Pair of Top-100 Recruits
Nov. 12, 2009
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois women's basketball coach Jolette Law announced the signing of two talented student-athletes to national letters of intent on Thursday during the early signing period. Alexis Burke, a 5-11 small forward from Bainbridge, Ga., and Centrese McGee, a 5-8 guard from Calumet City, Ill., will join the Fighting Illini for the 2010-11 season. Burke, ranked as high as No. 50 in the nation by ESPN HoopGurlz, is a relentless competitor with a silky-smooth outside shot. She plays primarily in the post for her high school team, but is projected as a shooting guard or small forward in college. McGee, who is ranked No. 86 by Blue Star, is an explosive scorer and a lockdown defender. She is projected as a combo guard in college but has the tools to be a full-time point guard as well. "Here at the University of Illinois, we are always looking for student-athletes who are the perfect fit as we build our program," said Law, who is beginning her third season at Illinois. "Both of these individuals epitomize what it means to be a student-athlete. These two athletes are outstanding young women who are fierce competitors, winners and have had tremendous success on the high school and AAU levels. Our program continues to bring in student-athletes who have admirable work ethic and passion for the game of basketball." PROFILES ON THE FUTURE FIGHTING ILLINI
5-11 // Small Forward Hometown/High School: Bainbridge, Ga./Bainbridge HS High School Coach: Latreisha Moon AAU Team: Essence AAU Coach: Kimberly Davis-Powell Notes: Ranked No. 50 nationally by ESPN HoopGurlz and No. 56 nationally by Blue Star ... Ranked as the No. 11 small forward in the nation by HoopGurlz ... Ranked No. 12 nationally, No. 2 in the Southeast and No. 1 in the state by peachstatehoops.com ... Averaged 22.5 points and 12.3 rebounds per game as a junior while leading Bainbridge High School to the 2009 Georgia Class 4A Final Four ... Named first team All-State, Region Player of the Year and first team All-Region in 2008-09 ... Helped her club team, Essence, win the Nike National Championship in 2008 ... Named one of the Top 12 performers in the summer of 2009 by HoopGurlz ... Chose Illinois over Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Rutgers. Coach Law on Burke: "Alexis Burke is a great fit for the up-tempo, defensive-driven basketball we play. Alexis will bring a high level of competitiveness, skill and confidence that will complement the talent on our current roster. She has a great outside shot and her versatility on the offensive end and rebounding ability will provide us with more second-chance opportunities. Alexis' drive and will to win will be felt on the practice floor and at game time. We are thrilled to welcome her to the Illini family." Burke on why she chose Illinois: "I wanted to come to Illinois because I believe in Coach Law's vision for the program and I want to be one of the players that helps make that vision come true. On my visit, the team and staff felt like one big family and I fit right in. Coach Law is a big believer in skill development so I know she'll help me become a better player on the court. I can't wait to get there and help put Illinois on the map in the college basketball world. With Coach Law there, I know it will happen and I'm excited that I'll get to be a part of it."
5-8 // Guard Hometown/High School: Calumet City, Ill./Thornton Fractional North HS High School Coach: Tim Zasada AAU Team: Chicago Hoops Express AAU Coach: Jerald Davis Notes: Ranked No. 86 nationally by Blue Star, No. 102 by All Star Girls Report and No. 126 by ESPN HoopGurlz ... Averaged 13.1 points, six rebounds, five steals and 2.4 assists as a junior ... 2009 All-State selection by the IBCA (fourth team) and Chicago Tribune (Special Mention) and All-Area by the Chicago Sun-Times, Northwest Times and Daily Southtown ... Spent her first two years of high school at Chicago Washington, the same school that former Illini great Angelina Williams attended ... Averaged 15 points, 5.5 rebounds, five steals and four assists as a sophomore and was named All-City, All-Chicago Public League and All-Area ... Averaged 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.2 steals and 4.3 assists to earn All-City and All-Public League honors as a freshman ... Chose Illinois over DePaul, Marquette, Minnesota and Northwestern. Coach Law on McGee: "The puzzle is coming together as our Illini family grows with the addition of Centrese McGee. We are excited about keeping top Illinois players at home to represent the University of Illinois. Centrese will bring hustle, work ethic and incredible athletic ability to our team. Defensively, Centrese will bring a strong presence and determination to that end of the court and, offensively, she is extremely quick off the dribble and plays with a scorer's mentality. Her passion to win will help take our program to the highest level. We are proud that she has chosen to be a part of helping build the Illini program into national prominence." McGee on why she chose Illinois: "I chose Illinois because I love the way Coach Law teaches and interacts with her players. I know that she'll help me reach my full potential as both a player and a person. By choosing Illinois I feel like I can be a part of something great. I love that it's close to home and it will mean a lot to me to represent my home state when I put on the Illini uniform."
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