Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Saluki Women's Basketball signs five for 2016-17
11/11/2015 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
By: Will Becque
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill.- Southern Illinois University women's basketball head coach Cindy Stein has announced the addition of five student-athletes for the 2016-17 season. Caitlyn Claussen of Manhattan, Kan., Lauren Hartman of Tremont, Ill., Nicole Martin of Jefferson City, Mo., Kristen Nelson of Farmington Hills, Mich., and Brittney Patrick of Bolingbrook, Ill. are the newest members of the Saluki program, signing National Letters of Intent or letters of acceptance Wednesday.
The Salukis appear to have replaced the size they will lose at the end of this season, as the class of 2016 is the tallest of any Stein era class with three student-athletes six-feet or taller. In the coming years, SIU will have seven six-footers on the roster, and all but one taller than 5-9. The Salukis needed to add size and versatile guards, as Southern will lose two-time All-MVC First-Team selection Dyana Pierre (6-2, forward/center), 6-0 forward Azia Washington, 5-6 guard Cartaesha Macklin and 5-7 guard Blair Stephenson to graduation after the 2015-16 season.
"I am very excited about this recruiting class," said Stein. "We lose a special group of young ladies so we knew that we were going to have to work hard to fill their shoes. These ladies have the heart, work ethic and competitive fire that we desire in all our players and the skills to help grab ahold of future successes. We filled a lot of needs with this class. The future is truly bright with this group!"
Caitlyn Claussen
Wamego High School
Manhattan, Kan.
AAU: Ohlde Elite
Guard/Forward, 6-0
Intended Major: Sports Administration/Sports Management
Claussen is a native of Manhattan, Kan., and was an All-League performer during a junior year in which she finished second on the team in scoring and rebounding while helping Wamego advance to the Kansas Class 4A title game. She is a two-time North Central Kansas League All-League selection, including a nod on the First-Team this past season and also has garnered back-to-back selections on the Manhattan Mercury Flinthills All-Area team. The Wamego High School product plays AAU for the Ohlde Elite in Morganville, Kan., having attended the PBR Super 64 2014 National Championships, as well as being chosen for the All American Games tournament.
In the classroom, Claussen is a honors student, a member of the National Honor Society, and is a candidate for the SIU Presidential Scholarship, the University's most prestigious and comprehensive academic award.
"Another important characteristic that we value at SIU is basketball IQ and leadership," said Stein. "Caitlyn excels in both of those areas and her work ethic is amazing. She is extremely well-rounded player and more of a "blue collar type". Caitlyn can score from inside or out and will be the one you notice getting on the floor for loose balls and crashing the boards. She will be a guard/forward for us."
Lauren Hartman
Tremont High School
Tremont, Ill.
AAU: IL Predators
Center/Forward, 6-3
Intended Major: Human Health and Science
Hartman is a three-sport athlete at Tremont, earning All-Heart of Illinois Conference honors in volleyball, basketball and softball as a Turk. She averaged just under a double-double during her junior year, securing a spot on the All-Area team as well as the All-Heart of Illinois Conference First-Team. As a junior, Hartman helped lead Tremont to a 27-2 record, and its first regional championship since 1992. Hartman is a National Honor Society member as well.
"We were looking for someone who could play down low and pop out and shoot the 3 ball," said Stein. "Lauren can do both of those things extremely well. She has incredible hands and can run well from rim to rim. I have seen Lauren play since her freshman year at Tremont. She showed potential then but her hard work and determination has made her a very special player. Lauren will play the power forward and center position for us."
Nicole Martin
Jefferson City High School
Jefferson City, Mo.
AAU: Missouri Lady Warriors
Forward, 6-1
Intended Major: Pre-med/biology
Martin is a three-sport athlete at Jefferson City, finishing fourth in the high jump at the state meet her junior year, while averaging 16 points and seven rebounds per game that year in basketball. She is a two-time All-Jefferson County Conference and All-Area honoree. She also earned a spot on the 2014-15 All-Central District team and played AAU for the Missouri Lady Warriors. Nicole has family ties to Southern, as her sister, Kezia, is a sprinter on the SIU track & field team.
"Nicole is full of energy," Stein said. "You always get a great vibe from Nicole. Nicole's athleticism is off the charts. She has the strength to play low but the versatility and speed to play on the perimeter. Another young lady that can catch any ball thrown her way, defend well, crash the boards and can score inside or out. We see her playing almost any spot on floor except point."
Kristen Nelson
Harrison High School
Farmington Hills, Mich.
AAU: Michigan Storm
Guard, 5-9
Intended Major: Kinesiology
Nelson has been one of Oakland County's top players for the past three years, and as a junior she averaged 14.4 points, five assists, four rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks. She has led her team in scoring, steals and assists in each of the past two seasons, and entering her senior campaign ranks first in school history in career assists, second all-time in both blocks and steals, and is seventh in scoring.
"Kris is a very exciting type of player," said Stein. "She can really get after it defensively, her handles are tremendous and she has the ability to create her own shot and shots of others. She is a quiet -type young lady but her play will speak volumes because she has the ability to fill up the stat sheet in every category. Kris has a great future ahead at SIU. She can play the point, shooting guard or small forward position."
Brittney Patrick
Bolingbrook High School
Bolingbrook, Ill.
AAU: Bolingbrook Panthers
Guard, 5-6
Intended Major: Pre-physical therapy
Patrick was named the March 2015 Chicago Tribune Female Student-Athlete of the Month and led her team in scoring, assists, and steals this past season. Patrick is also a 2014-15 Illinois All-State Special Mention who has earned All-Conference and All-Area honors in each of the past two seasons. During her junior year, she helped the Lady Raiders win the 2015 IHSA Regional Championship.
"What stands out about Brittney is her ability to pick up full court defensively and cause havoc," Stein said. "She sees the floor very well and gets the ball up and down the floor with ease. Brittney can get the ball to the rim or knock down the 3 point shot. She is another young lady that knows the game well and has strong leadership skills and a strong competitive fire. She will play the point or shooting guard for us."
