INDIANAPOLIS—The Purdue women’s basketball program has attracted one of the nation’s top recruiting classes.
All-Star Collegiate Girls Basketball Report says Michaela “K.K.” Houser, Sam Ostarello and Ashley Wilson are among the nation’s top 100 high school seniors. All three signed letters of intent on Wednesday to play for Purdue next season.
All-Star ranks the class 13th nationally.
Houser, a 5-foot-7 guard from Lincoln, Neb., averaged 14.3 points, 4.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 3.8 steals as a junior and led Southeast High School to a state championship.
“She just brings energy, personality, intensity,” Purdue coach Sharon Versyp said. “She can defend you 40 minutes up and down the court. She’s an outstanding point guard who can shoot the deep three and cause havoc for players handling the ball, and knows how to distribute the ball.”
Ostarello, a 6-2 forward from Fort Pierre, S.D., averaged 20.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.8 steals and 2.7 blocks for Stanley County High School as a junior. She is a state high jump champion who has dunked in AAU games.
“In some rankings, where people see her a lot, she’s a top 15 player,” Versyp said. “She’s extremely versatile. She can play inside-outside, she can shoot the three. What separates her is her all-around skills for someone her size.”
Wilson, a 6-foot power forward from Wheeling, Ill., averaged 15.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.8 assists for Wheeling High School last season while shooting 60 percent from the field.
“She’s a dominating defensive player and rebounder on offense and defense,” Versyp said. “She doesn’t back down from anybody.”
