The Kentucky women?s basketball team signed four outstanding prep players to a national letter-of-intent in the fall signing period, coach Mickie DeMoss announced Monday. Arnika Brown (pronounced are-KNEE-ka), a 6-2 power forward from Hopkinsville?s Christian County High School, Lydia Watkins, a 6-1 guard/forward also of Christian Co., Brittany Edelen, a 5-9 versatile forward of Washington Co. High School in Springfield, Ky., and Amani Franklin, a 5-11 guard from Redan High School in Decatur, Ga., have signed to play for the Wildcats next season.
?We have signed a very athletic class as we continue to build on our athleticism, speed and quickness,? DeMoss said. ?These players have the ability to play in the top conference in the nation, the Southeastern Conference. They will help us be successful in this league and we are excited about these four talented players joining our Kentucky family.?
According to the Blue Star Index, Kentucky?s recruiting class ranks 23rd nationally.
Brown is ranked as one of the top 50 seniors in the nation and as high as No. 10 in her position by several recruiting services. She is a front runner for Kentucky Miss Basketball honors after averaging 21.4 points and 9.5 rebounds a game as a junior. Brown is a two-time first-team All-State selection and helped lead Christian Co. to three consecutive state tournament appearances. Brown already is her high school?s all-time leading scorer heading into her senior year and the Lady Colonels have posted a 139-17 record since Brown slid into a starting role in eighth grade. Brown, who was named National Freshman of the Year by Student Sports, has tallied more than 2,100 career points under Coach Don Dillard. She chose UK over Tennessee and Western Kentucky.
?Arnika is a tremendous athlete,? DeMoss said. ?There are a variety of ways she can score. She can face up to the basket, score over you or take you off the dribble. She is so versatile and is extremely quick. She is one of the best players to come out of the state of Kentucky.?
Watkins, also a member of the Christian Co. Lady Colonel team, is an athletic guard/forward who verbally committed to the Wildcats during her junior season. Watkins transferred to CCHS from Port St. Lucie, Fla., before her sophomore season. As a freshman, Watkins was named the Florida Freshman of the Year after averaging 18.1 points per game in her rookie campaign. An all-around athlete, Watkins also competes in track and field.
?Lydia is extremely fast,? DeMoss said. ?She runs the anchor for her high school track team and is a very talented athlete. She will provide our team with quickness and speed in the front line. She has the potential to be a very good defensive player as well.?
Franklin is a 5-11 guard from Redan High School in Decatur, Ga. She was judged a ?Best of the Best? selection at the Adidas Top-10 All-American camp this past summer by USA Today. As a sophomore, Franklin led her squad to a 23-4 record and a No. 38 national ranking. The versatile guard also is known as an effective three-point shooter and a heady floor leader. Last season, RHS went 23-9 and advanced to the championship game of the Georgia state finals before falling in the title tilt. She was among the top 20 three-point shooters in DeKalb County last season and ranked third in the county in free-throw percentage, shooting 76 percent (54-of-71). Franklin chose Kentucky over Georgia Tech, Mississippi State and Louisiana Tech.
?Amani is a versatile guard who can play the point, two guard or small forward spot,? DeMoss said. ?She also has a solid three-point shot and can take it off the dribble. She should be a solid perimeter defender.?
Edelen comes to UK from Washington County High school where she is the Commonwealth?s fourth-ranked senior. She already is the career leader at Washington Co. with 2,016 points and holds the record for most points in a single season with 754 in 2004-05. Last season, she was named to both the 2005 All-State and 19th District All-Tournament teams after averaging 22.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per game and leading her squad to the 5th Region championship title and an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. She also was a third-team All-State selection. Edelen chose the Wildcats over Kansas, Louisville and Western Kentucky.
?Brittany is strong and athletic, can face up or post up the opponent,? DeMoss said. ?She adds quickness to both ends of the floor and she is an excellent rebounder.?
The early signing period ends Wednesday, Nov. 16.
