Huskies Sign Talented Duo to National Letters of Intent
November 16, 2017 | Women's Basketball
SEATTLE – University of Washington women's basketball head coach Jody Wynn announced on Thursday (Nov. 16) the signing off a pair of talented high school players Haley Van Dyke and Tyiona "TT" Watkins to National Letters of Intent to join the Huskies for the 2018-19 academic year.
"We are excited to welcome Haley, Tyiona and their families to the University of Washington and our Husky basketball family," said Wynn. "Both young women have tremendous character and the work ethic and desire to achieve success in the classroom and on the court. They are both versatile players that will fit in to our offensive and defensive system and will make immediate impacts to our program. Haley and TT both played at the highest level of club basketball with Nike EYBL teams Cal Stars and West Coast Premier, and they know what it takes to be successful."
Van Dyke, a 6-0 forward, is beginning her senior season at Campolindo High School in Moraga, Calif. As a junior, Van Dyke scored the fifth-most points in the state of California, pouring in 765 points in 32 games for a 23.9 points per game average. She helped the Cougars to a 27-7 record and the CIF NorCal championship and runner-up finish in the CIF State Championship. Van Dyke was impressive in the sectional championship game, scoring a record 46 points on 20-of-28 shooting and adding 20 rebounds in the 78-56 victory.
Van Dyke wrapped up her junior season averaging 23.9 points, 15.4 rebounds, 4.9 steals, 3.8 assists and 3.5 blocks per game. Overall, she is ranked 21st among Class of 2018 forwards according to ESPN and ranks as the No. 82 player overall according to Prospects Nation. Van Dyke is a three-time all-Diablo Foothill Athletic League selection including being named MVP as a junior and was also an All-NorCal first team selection.
"Haley is a versatile player that can score from the perimeter as well as make plays around the basket," Wynn said. "She is an instinctive rebounder and can defend multiple positions. Haley has a great upside and will continue to expand her versatility in our system. She is a terrific teammate and student, and will really flourish here at UW."
"Haley is an extremely versatile player that should make an immediate impact at Washington and the Pac-12," said Van Dyke's Cal Stars Club coach Kelly Sopak. "Haley is one of the most coachable players I have had and will grow big time under the coach Wynn's mentorship."
"Haley is a very dynamic and athletic player," said Campolindo High School coach Art Thoms. "She has a very good work ethic and is always improving. Haley is also a great teammate and a high character kid."
Watkins is a 5-11 wing who will wrap up her high school career at Walnut High School in Walnut, Calif. after three seasons at Brea Olinda High School. She is currently ranked as the No. 14 wing player in the class of 2018 by ESPN and No. 20 by Prospects Nation. As a junior, Watkins earned Crestview League MVP honors and was named to the All-CIF Southern Section second team.
During her sophomore season, Watkins earned All-County First-Team and All-CIF Southern Section Second-Team honors. She scored 22 points in the Division I state final, helping Brea Olinda to its 10th state championship. Watkins made an instant splash on the high school scene, being named Cal-HI Sports All-CIF Freshman First Team in 2015. Watkins comes from a solid athletic family as her mother was a track star at Western Kentucky and her grandmother, Dr. Gayle Harris Watkins, was a world-class hurdler.
"TT is another versatile player we're excited to have a part of our Husky basketball program. Her length and athleticism are a special combination," said Wynn. "She can really get after it on the defensive end and plays well in transition. TT has an excellent mid-range jumper and has expanded her game to shoot the three. She is a wonderful teammate and will be exciting to watch her develop as a Husky!"
"TT is one of the most athletic kids that I have ever coached," said Watkins' West Coast Premier Club coach Brian Crichlow. "She was great teammate and a very coachable player that always wanted to know how she could be better for the team. She's a high character kid whose best basketball is ahead of her. I'm proud to have gotten to be a part of her journey."
"After coaching great teams and athletes at Brea High School for 25 years, I can safely say that Tyiona is by far the most athletic young player I ever coached," said Brea Olinda coach Jeff Sink. "She is a classic version of the new prototypical basketball player—she is long and fast and her skill set is so versatile. She will be an excellent addition to Washington's very fine program."
"Tyiona is an outstanding athlete and leader," said Walnut High School coach Lori Huckler. "She works hard on and off the court to always improve as a player and a student. Tyiona is exciting to watch on the court, as she seems to always be involved in a great basket, assist or a tremendous defensive play."
The Huskies continue their season on Wednesday, hosting BYU at 7:00 p.m. at Alaska Airlines Arena before traveling to face No. 9 Ohio State on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. PT.
Haley Van Dyke
6-0 • Forward
Walnut Creek, Calif. // Campolindo High School
High School: Played three seasons of varsity ball at Compolindo High School in Moraga, Calif., scoring 1,559 points and pulling down 1,073 rebounds in 85 career games…ranked 21st among Class of 2018 forwards according to ESPN and ranks as the No. 82 player overall according to Prospects Nation…as a junior, scored the fifth-most points in the state of California, pouring in 765 points in 32 games, averaging 23.9 ppg…added 15.4 rebounds, 4.9 steals, 3.8 assists and 3.5 blocks per game…helped Cougars to CIF NorCal Championship, setting championship game records with 46 points and 20 rebounds on 20-of-28 shooting…earned All-NorCal first team and All-Metro first team honors and named All-Diablo Foothill Athletic League MVP…named San Francisco Chronicle Sophomore of the Year and DFAL First-Team as a sophomore, averaging 18.8 points and 12.9 rebounds per game…helped Cougars to a 25-6 overall record and state quarterfinal berth….saw action in 25 games as a freshman, scoring 10.7 ppg and adding 8.7 rpg…received All-DFAL honorable mention honors.
Tyiona Watkins
5-11 • Guard/Forward
Walnut, Calif. // Walnut High School
High School: Played one season at Walnut High School (Walnut, Calif.) after playing previous three seasons at Brea Olinda High School (Brea, Calif.)…enters her senior season ranked as the No. 14 wing player by ESPN and No. 20 by Prospects Nation…Earned Crestview League MVP honors along with All-County Third-Team and All-CIF Southern Section Second-Team honors as a junior…Named West Coast Jamboree Gold Division MVP in 2016…earned All-County First-Team honors and All-CIF Southern Section Second-Team honors as a sophomore…scored 22 points in the Division I state final, helping lead Brea Olinda to its 10th state championship…Cal-HI Sports 1st-team All-CIF Freshman in 2015…Mother ran track and played basketball in high school, receiving a full scholarship to Western Kentucky University for track…Grandmother, Dr. Gayle Harris Watkins, was a world-class hurdler, competing in the 1980, 1984, and 1988 Olympic trials, and ranked No. 1 on the USA list for long jump in '81 and No. 2 on world list for 50-meter hurdles in 1986.
"We are excited to welcome Haley, Tyiona and their families to the University of Washington and our Husky basketball family," said Wynn. "Both young women have tremendous character and the work ethic and desire to achieve success in the classroom and on the court. They are both versatile players that will fit in to our offensive and defensive system and will make immediate impacts to our program. Haley and TT both played at the highest level of club basketball with Nike EYBL teams Cal Stars and West Coast Premier, and they know what it takes to be successful."
Van Dyke, a 6-0 forward, is beginning her senior season at Campolindo High School in Moraga, Calif. As a junior, Van Dyke scored the fifth-most points in the state of California, pouring in 765 points in 32 games for a 23.9 points per game average. She helped the Cougars to a 27-7 record and the CIF NorCal championship and runner-up finish in the CIF State Championship. Van Dyke was impressive in the sectional championship game, scoring a record 46 points on 20-of-28 shooting and adding 20 rebounds in the 78-56 victory.Van Dyke wrapped up her junior season averaging 23.9 points, 15.4 rebounds, 4.9 steals, 3.8 assists and 3.5 blocks per game. Overall, she is ranked 21st among Class of 2018 forwards according to ESPN and ranks as the No. 82 player overall according to Prospects Nation. Van Dyke is a three-time all-Diablo Foothill Athletic League selection including being named MVP as a junior and was also an All-NorCal first team selection.
"Haley is a versatile player that can score from the perimeter as well as make plays around the basket," Wynn said. "She is an instinctive rebounder and can defend multiple positions. Haley has a great upside and will continue to expand her versatility in our system. She is a terrific teammate and student, and will really flourish here at UW."
"Haley is an extremely versatile player that should make an immediate impact at Washington and the Pac-12," said Van Dyke's Cal Stars Club coach Kelly Sopak. "Haley is one of the most coachable players I have had and will grow big time under the coach Wynn's mentorship."
"Haley is a very dynamic and athletic player," said Campolindo High School coach Art Thoms. "She has a very good work ethic and is always improving. Haley is also a great teammate and a high character kid."
Watkins is a 5-11 wing who will wrap up her high school career at Walnut High School in Walnut, Calif. after three seasons at Brea Olinda High School. She is currently ranked as the No. 14 wing player in the class of 2018 by ESPN and No. 20 by Prospects Nation. As a junior, Watkins earned Crestview League MVP honors and was named to the All-CIF Southern Section second team.During her sophomore season, Watkins earned All-County First-Team and All-CIF Southern Section Second-Team honors. She scored 22 points in the Division I state final, helping Brea Olinda to its 10th state championship. Watkins made an instant splash on the high school scene, being named Cal-HI Sports All-CIF Freshman First Team in 2015. Watkins comes from a solid athletic family as her mother was a track star at Western Kentucky and her grandmother, Dr. Gayle Harris Watkins, was a world-class hurdler.
"TT is another versatile player we're excited to have a part of our Husky basketball program. Her length and athleticism are a special combination," said Wynn. "She can really get after it on the defensive end and plays well in transition. TT has an excellent mid-range jumper and has expanded her game to shoot the three. She is a wonderful teammate and will be exciting to watch her develop as a Husky!"
"TT is one of the most athletic kids that I have ever coached," said Watkins' West Coast Premier Club coach Brian Crichlow. "She was great teammate and a very coachable player that always wanted to know how she could be better for the team. She's a high character kid whose best basketball is ahead of her. I'm proud to have gotten to be a part of her journey."
"After coaching great teams and athletes at Brea High School for 25 years, I can safely say that Tyiona is by far the most athletic young player I ever coached," said Brea Olinda coach Jeff Sink. "She is a classic version of the new prototypical basketball player—she is long and fast and her skill set is so versatile. She will be an excellent addition to Washington's very fine program."
"Tyiona is an outstanding athlete and leader," said Walnut High School coach Lori Huckler. "She works hard on and off the court to always improve as a player and a student. Tyiona is exciting to watch on the court, as she seems to always be involved in a great basket, assist or a tremendous defensive play."
The Huskies continue their season on Wednesday, hosting BYU at 7:00 p.m. at Alaska Airlines Arena before traveling to face No. 9 Ohio State on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. PT.
Haley Van Dyke
6-0 • Forward
Walnut Creek, Calif. // Campolindo High School
High School: Played three seasons of varsity ball at Compolindo High School in Moraga, Calif., scoring 1,559 points and pulling down 1,073 rebounds in 85 career games…ranked 21st among Class of 2018 forwards according to ESPN and ranks as the No. 82 player overall according to Prospects Nation…as a junior, scored the fifth-most points in the state of California, pouring in 765 points in 32 games, averaging 23.9 ppg…added 15.4 rebounds, 4.9 steals, 3.8 assists and 3.5 blocks per game…helped Cougars to CIF NorCal Championship, setting championship game records with 46 points and 20 rebounds on 20-of-28 shooting…earned All-NorCal first team and All-Metro first team honors and named All-Diablo Foothill Athletic League MVP…named San Francisco Chronicle Sophomore of the Year and DFAL First-Team as a sophomore, averaging 18.8 points and 12.9 rebounds per game…helped Cougars to a 25-6 overall record and state quarterfinal berth….saw action in 25 games as a freshman, scoring 10.7 ppg and adding 8.7 rpg…received All-DFAL honorable mention honors.
Tyiona Watkins
5-11 • Guard/Forward
Walnut, Calif. // Walnut High School
High School: Played one season at Walnut High School (Walnut, Calif.) after playing previous three seasons at Brea Olinda High School (Brea, Calif.)…enters her senior season ranked as the No. 14 wing player by ESPN and No. 20 by Prospects Nation…Earned Crestview League MVP honors along with All-County Third-Team and All-CIF Southern Section Second-Team honors as a junior…Named West Coast Jamboree Gold Division MVP in 2016…earned All-County First-Team honors and All-CIF Southern Section Second-Team honors as a sophomore…scored 22 points in the Division I state final, helping lead Brea Olinda to its 10th state championship…Cal-HI Sports 1st-team All-CIF Freshman in 2015…Mother ran track and played basketball in high school, receiving a full scholarship to Western Kentucky University for track…Grandmother, Dr. Gayle Harris Watkins, was a world-class hurdler, competing in the 1980, 1984, and 1988 Olympic trials, and ranked No. 1 on the USA list for long jump in '81 and No. 2 on world list for 50-meter hurdles in 1986.
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