Two Utah Basketball Standouts and One European Player Set To Play For Cougar Women

Provo, Utah (Dec. 8, 2000) - Three basketball standouts have signed letters of intent to play for BYU's women's basketball team. Danielle Cheesman, from Orem, Ashleigh Chamberlain, from Kanab, and Ana Cosic, from Zagreb, Croatia will be part of the Cougar program next year.

Cheesman, is a 6-2 power forward from Mountain View High School where she averaged 19 points and 12 rebounds a game. "Danielle is no question the best player in the state. She was highly recruited throughout the country," said head coach Trent Shippen. "Danielle can score, rebound and defend, with the best players in the country. She is the complete package. We are very happy to welcome her to our team."

At Mountain View, Cheesman led her team to the state championship in 1999 and a second place finish last year. Other honors include being chosen to participate in the Nike All-America camp as a junior. The camp showcases the top 80 players in the country. She was also named to the Utah Tip-Off "Terrific Twelve" for 1999-00. She will be joining her sister Heather, who is currently starting for the BYU team as one of two forwards. Both girls are daughters of former men's basketball star, Jay Cheesman.

Shippen and his staff have had great success recruiting the top JC talent and this year is no exception. An All-State selection while at Kanab High School, 6-4 center Ashleigh Chamberlain will join the BYU team in the 2001-2002 season after playing two seasons at nearby UVSC. "Ashleigh will be a great player for us, she has great strength and size and has a soft touch on her shot. Her inside scoring and defensive ability will make a big impact on our program and she's just what we need to take us to the next level," added Coach Shippen.

Chamberlain was an All-State selection from Kanab High School and currently averages 11 points and seven rebounds in 11 minutes of play at UVSC.

The first foreign player signed by Shippen and his staff will play at the Marriott Center next season. Ana Cosic, a 6-1 forward from Zagreb, Croatia will done the Cougar blue, much like her father, former men's basketball star Kresmir Cosic.

"She has distinguished herself on the Croatian National Team, and has played in the European Championships," commented Shippen. "This is a tremendous commitment for Ana and her family, and we are honored that she has chosen to come to BYU."

Ana hopes to follow in her fathers' footsteps. She's currently playing on the Yougoslav national team where she averages 15 points and leads the team in rebounds. Cosic was the second leading scorer during the European Championships two years ago.

Head Coach Trent Shippen feels this is a very good crop of athletes. "This is our best inside recruiting class since coming to BYU. These three players will help us continue a great winning tradition and will take us to the next level."