Women's Hoops Signs 2021 Forward Maliyah Johnson
11/19/2020 1:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – The Pitt women's basketball team announced the signing of Maliyah Johnson to a National Letter of Intent on Thursday afternoon. Johnson is the lone signing for the Panthers for the 2021 recruiting class.
"Maliyah is an exciting player because she brings a lot of versatility, and she is a proven winner," said third year head coach Lance White. "She has a competitive edge that is unique and something we are always searching for."
Johnson, a three-year starter at forward, is entering her senior season at Africentric High School in Columbus, Ohio. The talented 6-0 post player has helped her squad secure two state championships, three regional championships and three district championships while also earning First Team All-City honors as a sophomore and junior.
"Maliyah is a two-time state champion, First Team All-City, and she has competed and performed at the highest level both in high school and club basketball," said White. "She knows how to win at any level."
Her 2019-20 campaign was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic but Johnson was averaging 10.0 points and 9.0 rebounds as her team was in the final four of the state tournament for the third straight season.
She helped lead her squad to an undefeated (28-0) season during her sophomore campaign as they finished it off with a state championship in which Johnson netted seven points and a game-high 13 rebounds. As a freshman she also helped Africentric earn a state championship as they posted a record of 27-3 while she earned honorable mention All-City honors.
The ultimate competitor, Johnson is also a four-year letterwinner in volleyball as she helped her school earn their second straight City League championship earlier this month.
"Maliyah is not only a great basketball player but a great volleyball player as well," stated White. "This crossover has made her a really gifted rebounder, and with her length and athleticism she will be a great forward in this league for years to come."
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"Maliyah is an exciting player because she brings a lot of versatility, and she is a proven winner," said third year head coach Lance White. "She has a competitive edge that is unique and something we are always searching for."
Johnson, a three-year starter at forward, is entering her senior season at Africentric High School in Columbus, Ohio. The talented 6-0 post player has helped her squad secure two state championships, three regional championships and three district championships while also earning First Team All-City honors as a sophomore and junior.
?? SIGNING ALERT ??
— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_WBB) November 19, 2020
Two-time Ohio state champion and 2021 forward Maliyah Johnson inks her NLI to join the Panthers??
?? Maliyah Johnson
?? Columbus, Ohio
?? Africentric High School#H2P // #GoBeyond
"Maliyah is a two-time state champion, First Team All-City, and she has competed and performed at the highest level both in high school and club basketball," said White. "She knows how to win at any level."
Her 2019-20 campaign was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic but Johnson was averaging 10.0 points and 9.0 rebounds as her team was in the final four of the state tournament for the third straight season.
She helped lead her squad to an undefeated (28-0) season during her sophomore campaign as they finished it off with a state championship in which Johnson netted seven points and a game-high 13 rebounds. As a freshman she also helped Africentric earn a state championship as they posted a record of 27-3 while she earned honorable mention All-City honors.
The ultimate competitor, Johnson is also a four-year letterwinner in volleyball as she helped her school earn their second straight City League championship earlier this month.
"Maliyah is not only a great basketball player but a great volleyball player as well," stated White. "This crossover has made her a really gifted rebounder, and with her length and athleticism she will be a great forward in this league for years to come."
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