from the SID
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Mizzou Women's Basketball head coachRobin Pingetonannounced the signings of two talented Missouri prep athletes Wednesday, asAijha BlackwellandHayley Frankeach signed national letters of intent and will continue their athletic and academic careers at the University of Missouri. The class is ranked 11thoverall in the nation by espnW, as both signees are five-star recruits and top-30 prospects in espnW's 2019 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings.
"Words can't describe how excited we are about this recruiting class," said Pingeton. "They are elite level players and high character individuals who will help us continue to elevate our program. The fact that they are from the state of Missouri makes it even that much more special."
Blackwell, from Whitfield School in Berkeley, Mo., who was recruited by just about every Division-I program in the country, is ranked No. 8 in the nation and No. 1 in the state of Missouri in espnW's 2019 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings. She is a three-time Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) Class 3 All-State selection (2016-18), and a USA Today first team Missouri selection in 2018. As a junior, Blackwell led Whitfield to the Class 3A state semifinals and a 22-7 record, as she averaged 24.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Entering her senior season, Blackwell is one of 50 high school seniors named to the watch list for the 2019 Naismith High School Trophy.
"I chose Mizzou because it is like home to me," said Blackwell. "I have always dreamed about being a part of a winning atmosphere and culture. This is the best decision I have ever made. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
Blackwell was selected to play for the USA U18 National Team this past summer, where she helped lead Team USA to a gold medal in Mexico City at the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championship. She averaged 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game over six games during USA's championship run, including eight points, four rebounds and three steals in the gold medal game win over Canada.
Blackwell's father, Ernest, was a four-year letterwinner for Mizzou Football who played running back from 1994-97 and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1998.
Frank, from Strafford, Mo., is the No. 29-ranked player in the nation and the No. 2-ranked player in the state of Missouri. Coached by her dad, Steve, Frank has helped lead Strafford High School to three consecutive Missouri Class 3 state championships and 82 consecutive wins. She has been named to the MBCA Class 3A All-State team each of the last three seasons (2016-18), the MBCA Class 3 Player of the Year in 2016-17 and 2017-18, the 2017-18 Gatorade Missouri Girls Basketball Player of the Year and the 2018 Missouri Wendy's High Heisman state winner. Entering her senior campaign, Frank has already racked up 2,293 points and 1,213 rebounds.
"I chose Mizzou because of the values the coaches and the team stand for," said Frank. "I feel it is the best opportunity to grow, not only as a player, but as a person as well."
As a junior, the 6-foot-2 guard led the Indians to a 33-0 record and third straight state title after averaging 24.9 points, 12.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 3.3 steals and 3.0 blocks per game. Frank led Strafford to a second consecutive state title as a sophomore in 2016-17, averaging 24.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.2 blocks per game en route to a 33-0 season. She was named the Class 3 Player of the Year in both seasons.
Frank is an all-state infielder on the Strafford softball team and a state qualifier for the golf team. Away from the court, Frank has maintained a 4.05 GPA, is the vice president of the student body, and is a part of the National Honor Society.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Mizzou Women's Basketball head coachRobin Pingetonannounced the signings of two talented Missouri prep athletes Wednesday, asAijha BlackwellandHayley Frankeach signed national letters of intent and will continue their athletic and academic careers at the University of Missouri. The class is ranked 11thoverall in the nation by espnW, as both signees are five-star recruits and top-30 prospects in espnW's 2019 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings.
"Words can't describe how excited we are about this recruiting class," said Pingeton. "They are elite level players and high character individuals who will help us continue to elevate our program. The fact that they are from the state of Missouri makes it even that much more special."
Blackwell, from Whitfield School in Berkeley, Mo., who was recruited by just about every Division-I program in the country, is ranked No. 8 in the nation and No. 1 in the state of Missouri in espnW's 2019 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings. She is a three-time Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) Class 3 All-State selection (2016-18), and a USA Today first team Missouri selection in 2018. As a junior, Blackwell led Whitfield to the Class 3A state semifinals and a 22-7 record, as she averaged 24.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Entering her senior season, Blackwell is one of 50 high school seniors named to the watch list for the 2019 Naismith High School Trophy.
"I chose Mizzou because it is like home to me," said Blackwell. "I have always dreamed about being a part of a winning atmosphere and culture. This is the best decision I have ever made. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
Blackwell was selected to play for the USA U18 National Team this past summer, where she helped lead Team USA to a gold medal in Mexico City at the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championship. She averaged 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game over six games during USA's championship run, including eight points, four rebounds and three steals in the gold medal game win over Canada.
Blackwell's father, Ernest, was a four-year letterwinner for Mizzou Football who played running back from 1994-97 and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1998.
Frank, from Strafford, Mo., is the No. 29-ranked player in the nation and the No. 2-ranked player in the state of Missouri. Coached by her dad, Steve, Frank has helped lead Strafford High School to three consecutive Missouri Class 3 state championships and 82 consecutive wins. She has been named to the MBCA Class 3A All-State team each of the last three seasons (2016-18), the MBCA Class 3 Player of the Year in 2016-17 and 2017-18, the 2017-18 Gatorade Missouri Girls Basketball Player of the Year and the 2018 Missouri Wendy's High Heisman state winner. Entering her senior campaign, Frank has already racked up 2,293 points and 1,213 rebounds.
"I chose Mizzou because of the values the coaches and the team stand for," said Frank. "I feel it is the best opportunity to grow, not only as a player, but as a person as well."
As a junior, the 6-foot-2 guard led the Indians to a 33-0 record and third straight state title after averaging 24.9 points, 12.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 3.3 steals and 3.0 blocks per game. Frank led Strafford to a second consecutive state title as a sophomore in 2016-17, averaging 24.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.2 blocks per game en route to a 33-0 season. She was named the Class 3 Player of the Year in both seasons.
Frank is an all-state infielder on the Strafford softball team and a state qualifier for the golf team. Away from the court, Frank has maintained a 4.05 GPA, is the vice president of the student body, and is a part of the National Honor Society.
