Five players sign letters to play women’s hoops at BYU

PROVO, Utah— BYU women’s basketball head coach Jeff Judkins announced that three Utah standouts along with a top player from Washington and North Carolina have signed letters of intent to play women’s basketball for the Cougar program.

Paisley Johnson from Washington, Maria Albiero from North Carolina/Brazil, along with the top players out of Utah, Ashley Beckstrand from St. George, Malli Valgardson from Pleasant Grove and Sara Hamson from Lindon will be on the 2017-18 BYU roster.

“We signed a good group of players that are going to be able to play a couple of different positions for us and we see this as a plus,” Judkins said.

“This is one of our better classes. All of them are hard workers, have winning attitudes and with their talent, we see nothing but a bright future ahead for our program.  We are also happy that we were able to sign the top players in the state.”

Paisley Johnson – Everett, WA

• 5-9 guard, Glacier Peak HS
• Junior season averaged 16.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3.3 spg
• Named First Team All-WESCO

Basketball Club: Northside Swarm

Coach Judkins on Paisley: “Paisley is aggressive, very athletic, tough and has a scoring mentality. She’s very similar to Lexi Eaton.”

Maria Albiero – Londrina, Brazil/Raleigh, North Carolina

• 5-8 guard, Neuse Christian Academy
• Junior season averaged 18.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.9 apg, 3.0 spg
• Named 1A All-State Team
• Named Second Team USA Today North Carolina All-State in 2016
• Member of the U17 and U18 Brazilian National Team

Basketball Club: Carolina Waves

Coach Judkins on Maria: “She is a good shooter, can handle the ball well, can run the offense with confidence and she brings a lot of experience including her international play. She’s a lot like Haley Steed.”

Ashley Beckstrand – St. George, Utah

• 5-7 guard, Desert Hills HS
• Junior season averaged 24.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.8 spg
• Region 9 Deseret News First Team
• 3A Coaches’ All-State Second Team in 2016

Basketball Club: Utah Raiders

Coach Judkins on Ashley: “She’ll be a good point guard for us. She’s strong, physical, good passer and can play either the 1 or the 2 spot.

Malli Valgardson – Pleasant Grove, Utah

• 6-5 forward, Pleasant Grove HS
• Junior season averaged 3.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.1 bpg
• Named Region 4 Deseret News First Team
• 5A Coaches’ All-State Honorable Mention, 2016
• 2016 Daily Herald All-Valley Team

Basketball Club: Utah Flash

Coach Judkins on Malli: “She’s a good offensive player and has a great touch. Her playing abilities are a lot like those of Kristen Riley.

Sara Hamson – Lindon, Utah

• 6-7 forward, Pleasant Grove HS
• Will play both volleyball and basketball
• Junior season averaged 6.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.3 bpg

Basketball Club: Colorado Premier

Coach Judkins on Sara: She’s got a knack for blocking and she has a better touch in scoring than her sister Jennifer. She’s confident in her scoring and will look to shoot.