Salukis sign 2 players to NLI Wednesday
11/10/2022 | 11:48:00 | Women's Basketball
The Southern Illinois Women's Basketball team has inked two players for next season on Wednesday as Maddy Saracco (Bollingbrook, Ill/Example Academy) and Tkiyah "TeTe" Nelson (St. Louis, Mo/Whitfield Academy) signed their National Letter of Intent to be Salukis.Â
"We were very strategic in who we were looking to add to our family in the early signing period," Coach Kelly Bond-White said. "While the portal has been very good to us, we wanted young ladies that could see themselves in maroon & white for four years. We also wanted players from this region that knew what being a Saluki was all about. TeTe & Maddy will help solidify a future backcourt with our current freshman Jaidynn Mason."
Bond-White said she knows what she's getting in Saracco and Nelson as they're both excellent students from high-achieving programs.Â
"Southern Illinois will fall in love with both these young ladies off the court and become even bigger fans when they see them play," she said.
Maddy Saracco | 5-11 Forward | Bolingbrook, Illinois | Example Academy
https://twitter.com/SIU_WBasketball/status/1590473909983272960
"There are certain players that just have it. Speaking with Maddy is like talking to my coaching staff. Her confidence and love of the game is what makes her one of the best shooters in the country. Her resolve and grit are what helped her get back to the floor early to our surprise after and ACL rehab. I would casually walk away from her games when other coaches came around because I didn't want them to know who we were stalking. I changed my schedule this summer just to sit on Maddy. A deep range threat, with creative tricks in her bag to create space and get by." Kelly Bond-White on Maddy Saracco
How does it feel to finally sign on the dotted line?
It feels amazing and I'm super excited for what my future holds in Carbondale.
Why was SIU where you wanted to continue your career?
SIU felt like home as soon I stepped foot on campus. The people, the atmosphere, the athletics, the vision and the way they love and supported me through anything have shown it's the place for me.
What are you looking forward to the most with the program?
I'm looking forward to growing as not only a player but as well as a person and continuing to develop into the player and person I want to become.
Tkiyah "TeTe" Nelson | 5-10 Guard | St. Louis, Missouri | Whitfield Academy
https://twitter.com/SIU_WBasketball/status/1590474368781783040
"Before I could lay my bags down upon arriving in IL, Coach (Chester) Nichols had me on the phone with TeTe and her family. An athletic wing that excels in the open floor, she can get downhill and knocks down the mid-range jumper. On defense, her game matches her personality, full of energy her length allows for her to disrupt the timing of her opponents and cause deflections." Kelly Bond-White on TeTe Nelson
How does it feel to finally sign your letter of intent?
When I committed, I knew my dream was coming true but when I signed it today I knew it was finally here, coming into reality. There was no going back. I did what many thought was impossible when living in St. Louis.Â
Why was SIU where you wanted to continue your career?
Loyalty. I trust Coach Chester (Nichols) since I met him my freshman year. However, when I came there, it was real, nothing but honesty.
What are you looking forward to the most with the program?
Of course, being a better athlete, but really becoming a smarter and more responsible young woman leaving college.
