Wolfpack Women Sign Four In Harper's First Recruiting Class

RALEIGH, N.C. – Women’s basketball coach Kellie Harper announced her first recruiting class at NC State Thursday during the November early signing period.

Harper received signed National Letters of Intent from Myisha Goodwin (Lorton, Va.), Kody Burke (Riverside, Calif.), Devin Griffin (Lubbock, Texas) and Nashika “Breezy” Williams (Durham, N.C.).

“I'm excited about these four ladies officially joining the NC State family today,” said Harper. “I believe that they will grow, both on and off the court, in the next few years and I can't wait to have the opportunity to coach each player. These young women are already excited and care deeply about NC State.”

Goodwin is a 5-5 point guard from Thomas A. Edison High School in Lorton, Va. She is ranked as the 47th overall player in the country by ESPN HoopGurlz and the No. 12 guard nationally by the same publication. She averaged 24.1 points per game as a junior and was named second team all-state for her efforts last season. Goodwin has been selected the district player and defensive player of the year the last two seasons (2008 and 2009), led her team to a district title as a junior and to a state runner-up finish in 2007 during her sophomore campaign.

Goodwin, who also plays AAU for the Fairfax Starts elite team, chose NC State over Old Dominion and Virginia Tech.

“As a player, Myisha is talented and competitive,” Harper said. “With her confidence and her play-making abilities, she possesses the qualities that I’m looking for in a point guard. She has great court awareness and can get the ball to the right place at the right time.”

Burke is a 6-1 power forward from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High School in Riverside, Calif. She is ranked as the 73rd-best power forward in this class by ESPN HoopGurlz.

Her father played college basketball at UC Riverside and Cal-State Dominquez Hills, and then professionally overseas.

Burke averaged 21.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, 5.4 blocks and 3.0 assists per game in leading her team to a 26-7 record as a junior. She scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Notre Dame to a Division AA championship over Orange Lutheran.

Burke will be a four-year varsity performer, starting since her sophomore season. She was named the conference MVP the last two years and was named first team All-California by CalHi Preps.

Burke chose NC State over Arizona State, Notre Dame, Boston College and Colorado.

“Kody Burke is a special player,” explained Harper. “Her versatility to score on the block or facing the basket makes her a perfect fit with our offensive system. Although Kody has a sweet nature off the court, she transforms into a feisty and aggressive player when she steps across the line. She uses that tenacity well when she is attacking the boards.”

Griffin is a 5-9 wing player from Coronado High School in Lubbock, Texas. Her basketball bloodlines run deep with two older sisters having played at Texas Tech, Darrice and Darchelle, while her mother, Tami Wilson, was also one of the all-time best players for the Red Raiders.

Griffin averaged 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for Coronado last year, earning all-district and all-state honors for coach Shirlene Hughes. She led the state’s largest district in scoring.

Coronado had an exceptional season in 2009, posting a 33-4 record and lost in the playoffs to the eventual state champs.

Griffin also received interest from Texas, Arkansas and Missouri.

“Devin Griffin is a high-energy, up-tempo guard,” added Harper. “Combining her athleticism with her drive to succeed, she has unlimited potential. Her length gives her an advantage defensively and finishing at the rim. Devin comes from a basketball family and thus, has a good understanding for the game, which is important to our program.”

Williams is a 5-11 wing player from Northern Durham High School in nearby Durham, N.C.

She will be a four-year starter and was named first team all-conference and co- PAC 6 Player of the Year as a junior. The Knights reached the sectional semifinals before falling to Southeast Raleigh.

Williams chose NC State over Virginia Tech, Clemson, Temple and Delaware.

“Breezy has unbelievable potential,” said Harper. “She is extremely strong, athletic, and explosive. She has the size and speed to be a productive player in the ACC. She also sees the floor very well and is constantly looking to get her teammates involved. I’m not only happy for our program, but also happy for the community, as one of the Triangle's own will be part of our team.”

Information provided by NC State Media Relations.