Tampa Women’s Basketball Announces New Group of Signees

TAMPA, Fla.- University of Tampa head women's basketball coach Tom Jessee has announced the signing of five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent (NLI). The group will enroll and be eligible to play in the fall of 2010.

Joining UT will be guards Shelby Porter (Pickerington, Ohio) and Nadia Givens (Jacksonville, Fla.), forwards Monique Johnson (Kansas City, Kan.) and Greta Bartkute (Siauliai, Lithuania) and center Jaleesa Harmon (St. Louis, Mo.).

"Going into the recruiting process for the new season we thought we needed to get bigger and deeper with some experience, not just freshman and we think we have done that," says Jessee. "We have also recruited some winners, with two state champions from this year in the recruiting class along with a third kid in there that has won two state championships. If we add those players to the experience from the junior college signees that we have, I really feel good about it. We have good size, good shooters and good speed, but at the same time, you still need to transfer that paper over to the hard wood."

Shelby Porter - G - 5-8 - Pickerington, Ohio (Pickerington HS Central)

High School: Played for coach Wade Brockwell at Pickerington High School Central…Received all-league special mention and all-district honorable mention as a senior…led her team in assists and free throw percentage…Made school history as the second all-time leader in assists with 17 in a single game… Was a Rick Bolus first team all-tournament team selection… Participated in the Top 100 Showcase tournament…Played in the Eastern Ohio camp all-star game…Was an OCC scholar athlete from 2008-10.

Personal: A member of the Mount Carmel Volunteer Program…Daughter of Matt and Susan Porter…Has one older sister, Holly…Nursing major… Birthdate: 5/24/1992.

Jessee on Porter: "Shelby is a freshman coming out of a tremendously successful high school program in Ohio. She is a point guard that can also play the two spot. She will give you the same kind of look you see from former point guard, Angela Guiu. Shelby is a steady player that shoots the ball well. She is a solid fundamental kid that can compete for some time early as a freshman. We think down the road she is going to be a really nice player."

Nadia Givens - G - 5-5 - Jacksonville, Fla. (Volunteer State CC)

High School: Played for coaches Michael Jackson, Monica Gibson and Judy Allen at Andrew Jackson High School…Played both point guard and shooting guard positions for the Tigers…Played for the Jacksonville Lady Sparks club team under coach Monica Gibson.
As a Freshman (VSCC): Played in 25 games at Volunteer State Community College…Averaged 10 points, three rebounds and two assists a game as a rookie…shot an impressive 51 percent from the three point line on the year.

Personal: Daughter of Louis and Vera Givens…Has two older siblings, Louis and Nigel…Pre-medical major…Birthdate: 7/19/1991.

Jessee on Givens: "Nadia is a point guard that transferred from a junior college. Nadia is a 5-5 left handed kid that can really shoot the ball. Nadia shot a little over 51 percent her freshman year over in junior college. We expect her to come in right away and compete for a starting spot and some playing time at the point guard position. She is a Florida kid from Jacksonville and we certainly feel that she will bring a little bit more toughness to us. A great passer, a great shooter and once she learns the system, we look for her to be a really good player here."

Monique Johnson - F - 6-0 - Kansas City, Kan. (Labette CC)

High School: Played for coach Vivian Jordan at Washington High School…Averaged the most rebounds on the team throughout her high school career…A first team all-state and first team all-region selection following her senior year…An honor roll student all four years of high school.

As a Freshman (LCC): Played in 32 games for Labette Community College…Averaged four points and four rebounds a game… Shot an impressive 45 percent from the field as a rookie.

Personal: Daughter of Albert Johnson…Has a twin brother…A psychology and sociology major…Birthdate: 4/22/1990.

Jessee on Johnson: "Monique is from Labette Community College where they were number three in the country in junior college. She plays the four and five position and she can really help us. Monique is a tremendous rebounder and very physical kid that is only going to get better. Monique played in a guard orientated system and they didn't get her the basketball a lot in junior college but she certainly has a lot of skills with her back to the basket."

Greta Bartkute - F - 6-3 - Siauliai, Lithuania (The Rock School)

High School: Played for coach Fabian Chapov at the Rock School…Played the small forward position…Helped lead the Lions to a 2010 1A State Championship.

Personal: Daughter of Jonas Bartkus and Rima Bartkuviene…Has one older sibling, Vaidas… Undecided major… Birthdate: 6/6/1991.

Jessee on Bartkute: "Greta is a state champion from the Gainesville area out of the Rock High School. Greta is a 6-3 left handed post player from Lithuania who has only been in the states two years. Greta is a very versatile player that will able to play the four and five positions, and we may even stretch her to the three spot. Like all international kids, Greta can really shoot it, can pass it, and is very aggressive. Greta brings some size to us as a freshman and I think that her upside is tremendous. She has to learn how to play the college game and learn our system, but we are really excited about her. She was a steal for us as we got her committed before the state tournament. We really believe that she is a Division I kind of kid."

Jaleesa Harmon - C - 6-1 - St. Louis, Mo. (Moberly Area CC)

High School: Played at Hazelwood Central High School under coach Wendy Reeves…Averaged 10 points and six rebounds a game during her senior year…Was named the most valuable player during her junior and senior year…Was a first team all-conference player during her junior year and a second team all-conference player during her senior year…Received All-American honorable mention as a junior…Participated in the Midwest All Star Game her last two years of high school…Played for the St. Louis Bulls club team under coach Troy Rhodes.

As a Freshman: Played in 29 games at Moberly Area Community College…Averaged four points and two rebounds a game while shooting an impressive 50 percent from the field on the year.

As a Sophomore (MACC): Played in 29 games at Moberly Area Community College while starting 27 games…Played the power forward position…Averaged 15 points and seven rebounds for the Greyhounds…Received the Most Improved Player Award.

Personal: Volunteered as a secretary for Moberly Area Community College… Participated in the Big Brother, Big Sister and the You Can Too program… Daughter of Dwight and Shirley Freeman…Has two younger siblings, Ricquel and Danielle…International business management major… Birthdate: 10/14/1989.

Jessee on Harmon: "Jaleesa is a 6-2 post player out of Moberly Community College. We expect Jalessa to come in and look to start at the center spot after graduating Tiara Cook. Jaleesa is really solid post player that can play with her back to the basket and can also step out to the 17 foot range. Jaleesa has great foot work, is a strong defensive player and a big rebounder. Jaleesa is a little bigger than what we have been inside and runs the floor very well. She has some big shoes to fill with the departure of Tiara Cook. Once she picks up the system, I think she is a kid that can be an all-conference player and we certainly need her help early down inside. She brings a lot of college experience to our team."