Nt Women Signed 4 Players..ath Web Site

OldTimer · November 19, 2007

North Texas Women's Basketball Adds Four In Early Signing Period

Courtesy: University of North Texas

Release: 11/19/2007

Courtesy: Rick Yeatts

DENTON, Tex. (11/19/07) - The North Texas women’s basketball team signed four players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. The Mean Green has added Mansa El of Cypress, Texas, Ryan Green from Crowley, Texas, Jeanee Thompson from Bryan, Texas, and Tamara Torru from Bellaire, Texas. "We are very excited about the additions of these girls," said North Texas coach Tina Slinker. "We feel like they will come in and contribute to what we are doing and have the ability to elevate this program".

Mansa El, Guard, Cypress, Texas (Cy Fair High School)

Last season El was a first-team District 17-5A selection and a Class 5A Region III selection in 2006. El averaged 11 points a game last season as she helped lead her team to the state championship game. She was named to the first-team all-district squad her sophomore season. El was named to the 2007 Preseason All-Greater Houston Girls Basketball Second-team by the Houston Chronicle. Her high school team, Cy-Fair, is ranked No. 1 in Class 5A this season and entered the season as the third-ranked team in the nation, according to espn.com.

Ryan Green, Forward, Crowley, Texas (Crowley High School)

Green is a three-time all-district player who was selected to the Class 4A Region I team her junior season. She averaged 15 points and six rebounds a game last year and shot 53 percent from the floor. As a sophomore she was a first-team District 15-4A selection as she averaged 12 points and eight rebounds a game while hitting 48 percent of her shots. "She is a very dedicated player and has worked very hard at becoming the best she can possibly be," said Crowley head coach Alen Neff. "She has been just a joy to coach and be around and I think North Texas is lucky to have her".

Jeanee Thompson, Guard, Bryan, Texas, (St. Joseph’s Catholic School)

Thompson averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds last season and was named to the TAAPS Class 3A All-State team. She is a multi-sport star as Thompson is also an all-state athlete in tennis and track. "We are very excited to have signed her early. She is a three player that is much like Jo Hall. Coming from a private school, Jeanee is a sleeper," said Slinker. "Her potential is unlimited and she is strong and is a great rebounding guard".

Tamara Torru, Guard, Bellaire, Texas (Bellaire High School)

Torru was a second-team District 20-5A selection as she averaged eight points and 3.5 assists last season. In 2005 Torru was a second- team all-district player in 2005 as a sophomore. Torru was named to the Duncanville Classic all-tournament team in 2006 and to the River City Classic all-tournament team in 2007. She was named the Bellaire High School Defensive Player of the Year in 2006.

untbowler · November 20, 2007

so I am guessing Slinker now has some security? If not then this makes no sense to sign 4 players in the early signing period when you're in the last year of a contract. Sounds like Slinker has a lifetime contract. :blink:

Censored by Laurie · November 20, 2007

So far as I know the coaching staff essentially has absolute control over recruiting...if Slinker is on some sort of performance contract for this season it wouldn't stop here from recruiting and signing new players...the idea is what good does it do the program to prevent it from signing what are frequently the most talented players in the early signing period.

GrandGreen · November 20, 2007

So far as I know the coaching staff essentially has absolute control over recruiting...if Slinker is on some sort of performance contract for this season it wouldn't stop here from recruiting and signing new players...the idea is what good does it do the program to prevent it from signing what are frequently the most talented players in the early signing period.

Well for starters, it hinders the new coach if she is replaced to have most if not all of his/her ships already used. If Slinker really has to have a championship season to keep her job, letting her recruit four early signees make little sense to me. What are the odds that a new coach couldn't recruit better players in the late period than what must appear to recruited athletes as a lame duck coach in the early period. All these recruits look promising but all are far from being highly recruited.