University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Women’s Basketball Signs Avery Strickland To National Letter Of Intent
4/28/2022 1:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – Pitt women's basketball head coach Lance White announced Thursday the signing of Avery "Ace" Strickland to a National Letter of Intent (NLI) during the spring signing period. Strickland joins Aislin Malcolm as the second member of the Panthers' 2022 recruiting class.
"I am so excited about what Avery brings to our team," stated head coach Lance White. "She is ultra-competitive, has the pedigree of a winner, and is ready to work."
Strickland comes to Pittsburgh after a successful four-year career at Farragut high school in Knoxville, Tennessee where she was twice tabbed an All-State selection including this past season. The gifted shooter and finisher was named to the All-District Team all four seasons while twice being named to the All-Region Team. She earned Knox News All-PrepXtra first team honors twice while being named the Tennessee high school sports Player of the Year and Knox News Athlete of the Year following her junior season (2021).
"Avery is going to add to our overall size and brings versatility to our roster immediately," said White. "She is known as a shooter, but she is so much more. She is long and creates problems for a defender on a closeout because she can take it off the bounce as well. Avery is a great fit for us here at Pitt."
As a senior, Strickland helped lead her squad to unchartered territory as they appeared in their first state tournament and advanced to the state championship game. The team captain finished off her final season averaging 17.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 48% from the floor and 33% from behind the arc. She was named to the All-State Tournament Team after posting an impressive 31 points and nine rebounds in the Admirals' state semifinal victory.
A great all-around athlete, Strickland also won a state championship as an outfielder on the Farragut softball team while earning All-District and All-Region honors on the diamond during her junior campaign. She was also a key member of the Admirals' track and field team during her final year.
Strickland and local standout Aislin Malcolm are the first two members of the Panthers highly anticipated 2022 signing class. They will join a talented roster that returns seven of their eight leading scorers from a season ago.
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"I am so excited about what Avery brings to our team," stated head coach Lance White. "She is ultra-competitive, has the pedigree of a winner, and is ready to work."
Strickland comes to Pittsburgh after a successful four-year career at Farragut high school in Knoxville, Tennessee where she was twice tabbed an All-State selection including this past season. The gifted shooter and finisher was named to the All-District Team all four seasons while twice being named to the All-Region Team. She earned Knox News All-PrepXtra first team honors twice while being named the Tennessee high school sports Player of the Year and Knox News Athlete of the Year following her junior season (2021).
"Avery is going to add to our overall size and brings versatility to our roster immediately," said White. "She is known as a shooter, but she is so much more. She is long and creates problems for a defender on a closeout because she can take it off the bounce as well. Avery is a great fit for us here at Pitt."
As a senior, Strickland helped lead her squad to unchartered territory as they appeared in their first state tournament and advanced to the state championship game. The team captain finished off her final season averaging 17.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 48% from the floor and 33% from behind the arc. She was named to the All-State Tournament Team after posting an impressive 31 points and nine rebounds in the Admirals' state semifinal victory.
A great all-around athlete, Strickland also won a state championship as an outfielder on the Farragut softball team while earning All-District and All-Region honors on the diamond during her junior campaign. She was also a key member of the Admirals' track and field team during her final year.
Strickland and local standout Aislin Malcolm are the first two members of the Panthers highly anticipated 2022 signing class. They will join a talented roster that returns seven of their eight leading scorers from a season ago.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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