June 28, 2002

Lexington, KY – Kristen Grassi, a 5-8 junior college guard from Colleyville, Texas, has signed to play basketball for the Kentucky women’s basketball team, Coach Bernadette Mattox announced today.

In her two years at Hill Junior College, Grassi helped lead the Rebels to an impressive 52-11 overall record and their first winning season. In her freshman year, the team finished 29-3 and advanced to the second round of the JUCO Regional Tournament in Lubbock, Texas. Last season, the Rebels were 25-8 as Grassi, whose versatility allowed her to play at every position, averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game and shot 84 percent from the free throw line and 40 percent from behind the arc. Again HJC advanced to the regional tournament where Grassi hit a career-high six consecutive three-pointers in the opening round en route to a game-high 21 points.

“Kristen is an incredible student-athlete not just on the court but off the court as well.” Mattox said. “She is a tough-nosed player with outstanding shooting abilities. She has a superb point guard mentality and just has the knack for getting the ball to the right people.”

Grassi graduated from HJC as a Phi Beta Kappa and was on the Dean’s List both years. She also was named to the All-North Texas Junior College Academic team.

Prior to HJC, Grassi was a four-year starter at Colleyville Heritage High School where she was named to the All-District first team after averaging 12.0 points and 6.0 assists per game in her senior season. She also was named All-District Player of the Year and All-Area Ft. Worth/Dallas. She was the team-leader in steals and assists and was awarded the Lady Panther’s Most Valuable Player in 2000. Grassi was twice named second-team All-District. She graduated with honors from CHHS and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Grassi joins Racquel Ellis, Samantha Newton, Jenny Pfeiffer and Jennifer Humphrey in the 2002 recruiting class.