Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Basketball adds Mercedes Griffin
01/21/2011 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 21, 2011
By Bill Ford
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois head coach Missy Tiber announced today the addition of transfer Mercedes Griffin to the Saluki women's basketball team.
Griffin is enrolled at SIU for spring 2011 after transferring from Marquette, where she didn't participate in any games for the Golden Eagles. The 5-foot-9 guard will start practice with the Salukis immediately and will be eligible to play upon the completion of the Fall 2011 semester. She will have three and-a-half seasons of eligibility remaining.
"Mercedes is an outstanding athlete. She is extremely fast and is a tremendous defender," Tiber said. "Having her on campus now and with our team will not only help make our team better, but will also prepare her for next season."
Griffin finished her prep career at Bolingbrook High School in Bolingbrook, Ill., where she helped the Raiders to back-to-back Illinois Class 4A State Championships in 2009 and 2010 along with fellow SIU signee Falon Edwards. She averaged 10 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in two seasons at Bolingbrook after transferring form Joliet High School.
"Mercedes's background as a two-time state champion at Bolingbrook under coach Tony Smith provides an experienced winner to our program," Tiber said.
Griffin was a four-time first team All-City Conference and all-area selection during her prep career and was named honorable mention All-Area Greater Chicago Team during her junior year at Bolingbrook. She was ranked as high as No. 8 by the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and was ranked the 14th-best wing recruit in the nation by ESPN Hoopgurlz.
Griffin was also a standout track athlete in high school, having won a state title in the 200-meter relay in addition to conference championships in the 100 and 200-meter dashes.
