Sooners Add Three During Early Signing Period

NORMAN – University of Oklahoma women's basketball signed three elite prospects to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, head coach Sherri Coale announced on Thursday.

The Sooners will welcome guard Ana Llanusa (Choctaw, Okla./Choctaw HS), guard Shaina Pellington (Pickering, Ontario, Canada/Dunbarton HS) and forward Mandy Simpson (Boise, Idaho/Boise HS) to their squad for the 2017-18 season.

“This 2017 class is refreshing and exciting and talented,” Coale said. “Recruiting them has been fun — and I rarely use the word 'fun' in reference to this often overwhelming facet of our sport — but all three of these guys are just so about the right things. I just love the way they are wound.”

Llanusa is a 6-0 guard that is rated a five-star prospect by ESPN Hoop Gurlz (No. 8 guard/No. 32 overall) and Prospect Nation (No. 3 guard/No. 20 overall). The Choctaw, Okla., native averaged 20.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game along with a .510 shooting percentage as a junior at Choctaw High School.

Ana Llanusa

Llanusa a is a three-time selection to The Oklahoman's Super Five Team after averaging 22.6 points per game as a sophomore and 19.8 points a contest as a freshman. She has helped Choctaw High School to three consecutive appearances in the Oklahoma state tournament.

“We have literally watched Ana Llanusa grow up, which has been a fantastic advantage,” Coale said. “When I think about her game, I immediately think of how difficult she is to stop offensively. Ana can really score the ball. She's fast in the open floor and quick getting to the rim — both of those being great compliments to her 3-point range and efficiency. But what drew us to Ana initially and, what I think will ultimately give her a chance to have a special career here, is her competitive mindset. She is just one of those kids you want on your team.”

Shania Pellington

Pellington is rated a four-star prospect by Prospect Nation and the No. 23 point guard in the class of 2017 by ESPN Hoop Gurlz. The 5-7 guard The Pickering, Ontario, Canada, native brings valuable international experience to the Sooners after competing at the FIBA U17 World Championships in 2016 with Canada. She averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game during the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championships.

"This 2017 class is refreshing and exciting and talented. All three of these guys are just so about the right things. I just love the way they are wound."
— Sherri Coale

She also led the Canadian U16 team to a gold medal at the FIBA Americas Tournament in 2015. The win marked the first gold medal for any Canadian women's age-group team at the FIBA Americas Tournament. Pellington is the fourth Canadian to sign with the Sooners in program history, joining the likes of Stacey Dales, Jennifer Cunningham and Theresa Jantzen.

“Shaina Pellington is an 'X' factor. She is an amazing athlete who I believe has only scratched the surface of her potential,” Coale said. “The competitive arc for her is going to be special. She is explosive — to say she is fast would be a dramatic understatement. Her ability to break down the defense with the ball and find the open guy is extraordinary.

"I believe that she has the capacity to become a lockdown defender as well. I just don't think there is anything on the basketball court that she will not be able to excel at as she sets her mind to it. We've had some fantastic Canadian athletes in our program and that tradition continues with the signing of Shaina Pellington.”

Simpson, a 6-0 forward from Boise, Idaho, put up impressive numbers as a junior by averaging 17.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game at Boise High School. She earned first team all-state honors as a junior, helping Boise High School to a third-place finish at the Idaho state tournament.

Mandy Simpson

“Discovering Mandy Simpson was like finding the perfect black dress,” Coale explained. “I just watched her play and I knew she would always make us better. Her play would cover our flaws and her 'way' would continually put us in the best place for potential success. This kid plays basketball with her whole heart. She is a solid scorer, a surprisingly adept passer and she is an indefatigable rebounder.

“I haven't seen a kid go after the ball with this much diligence in a long, long time. Great rebounding is about instinct and understanding and good hands, but it is also about going after every single shot attempt — and Mandy goes after every single one. We're honored that she has chosen to join our family.”

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