Women's Basketball Adds Four Players in Early Signing Period
11/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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TUSCALOOSA – University of Alabama women’s basketball coach Rick Moody announced the signings of Mamie Rutherford, Lateefah Joye, Chanel Johnson and Crystal Bellinger to national letters-of-intent to attend Alabama and play for the Crimson Tide next fall.
“There is no question in my mind that this group is a Top 20 recruiting class,” said Moody, in his 15th season at Alabama. “With their talent it might even rank higher. I believe all four players will make a significant impact on this program in the very near future. They all understand the lofty goals of this program and want to be a part of making them happen. They share the same dreams and have the ability to accomplish them.”
Rutherford, a 6-1 guard from Hatton, Ala., is a two-time first team 2A All-State honoree at Hatton High School. She was recently dubbed the top senior player in the state and she garnered the state tournament MVP honor after leading HHS to the 2002 State Championship. She was also the 2A state player of the year last season. Heading into her senior season, Rutherford has scored 1,953 points, grabbed 802 rebounds, dished out 670 assists and recorded 428 steals. A stellar student owning a 4.05 GPA, she currently ranks second in her graduating class. Her mother, Cophia, is her prep coach and her dad Dexter played football for the Crimson Tide.
“We feel like she is definitely one of the best players in this state,” said Moody. “I believe that her best basketball is still in front of her and she has already been very good. Mamie is not only a solid player on the court, but also a tremendous student with a great work ethic. She comes from a strong family and a high school program with a winning tradition.”
Joye, a 5-11 native of New York City, is a standout guard at the Patterson School in Patterson, N.C. Rated as one of the top guards and overall players in the country by most recruiting services. She garnered Adidas prep All-American honors as a junior, and is a member of the NY Exodus AAU program.
“Lateefah is certainly one of the best 30 players in the country,” Moody added. “She literally learned the game of basketball playing on the streets of New York. She is a slashing, spinning, scoring guard. In addition to being an offensive threat, her long arms and quickness make her an outstanding defender. She is playing at Patterson, which is one of the top prep programs in America.”
Johnson, a 6-3 post player from Tulsa, Okla., is a stellar hoop performer for Edison High School. She is considered one of the top prep players in the state of Oklahoma.
“I feel like Chanel has the skills and ability to be a very special player for us,” said Moody. “She is tall and has a wide arm span that makes her even bigger. She is an extremely skilled player that has a strong understanding of the game. She comes from a basketball family and played in an outstanding AAU program. I am looking forward to watching her progress here at Alabama.”
Bellinger is a 5-10 point guard from New York City. She is a prep teammate of fellow signee Joye at the Patterson School. Rated as one of the nation’s top guards and overall players, she earned Adidas All-American prep honors last season.
“Crystal has the complete game,” Moody added. “She is a great ball-handler and passer. She is a true point guard that makes everybody around her better. She is a legend on the play grounds of New York with people calling her the ‘Jason Kidd’ of women’s basketball.”
With the signing of this quartet of players during the NCAA’s early signing period, Moody can now turn his attention back to the upcoming season. Alabama hosts the Premier Players on Tuesday night in the team’s final exhibition game of the preseason. The Tide open up the 2003-04 slate on Nov. 24 with a game at Michigan.
2003-04 Alabama Women’s Basketball Early Signees:
Crystal Bellinger (5-10, G, FR, New York, N.Y./Patterson School)
Chanel Johnson (6-3, F, FR, Tulsa, Okla./Edison High School)
Lateefah Joye (5-11, G, FR, New York, N.Y./Patterson School)
Mamie Rutherford (6-1, G, FR, Hatton, Ala./Hatton High School)
