FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton women's basketball team added strength, tenacity and athleticism to its program as four student-athletes signed national letters of intent Wednesday afternoon to join the Titans for the 2015-16 season.
"This is another exciting day for all of us who are associated with Cal State Fullerton athletics and our women's basketball program" second-year head coach Daron Park said. "We have worked tremendously hard to identify four student-athletes who will represent the campus and community of Fullerton in an exceptional manner. All are amazingly talented student-athletes, but what I am most pleased with is the daily drive and desire this group shows. They want to be great and will do everything in their power to make that happen."
Here's a closer look at the future Titans:
Danielle Craig
5-9 | G | West High School | Iowa City, Iowa
As a sophomore playing for West High School, in 2013 Craig started 29 games, averaging 11.1 points-per-contest. Craig will bring a three-point threat to the Titans as she shot a blazing 42 percent from behind the arc during her sophomore year in 2013.
"We are thrilled to have Dani join the Titan family," Park said. "Dani is a smart and savvy player with an extremely high basketball IQ. She is an excellent shooter with great range who also possesses outstanding playmaking ability in the open court. Dani is a high-character person who also excels in the classroom and will fit in perfectly with the culture of Titan women's basketball."
Madison Crawford
5-8 | G | Fossil Ridge High School | Fort Worth, Texas
A four-year varsity starter at Fossil Ridge High School, Crawford has garnered All-District Second Team honors in both her freshman and sophomore seasons. Last year as a junior, Crawford earned Texas 4-5 A First Team All-District honors while averaging 10 points per game.
"I love Madi's work ethic and coachability," Park stated. "She is an extremely athletic and aggressive guard who has played against great competition in Texas. She is a slasher who brings great physical toughness to our team and will be a tenacious defender. Madi has worked incredibly hard to get to this point and I am so proud to have her as part of our family."
Michelle Berry6 -2 | G/F | Miami Country Day High School | Miami, Florida
In her first season as a transfer to Miami Country Day High School, Berry helped lead the Spartans to a 26-3 record including the Florida 3A State Championship. The championship was the first state title for girls basketball in the 75 year history of the high school. Miami Country Day finished the season ranked No. 18 in the nation by MaxPreps and No. 1 in the state of Florida.
"Michelle is a great find for us because we got to know her late in the process but fell in love with her at first sight," Park said. "Michelle brings a level of athleticism rarely seen in the Big West Conference and will dramatically change the look of our team. She is great in the open floor on offense and a defensive stopper at the other end. Her ability to shoot the ball and also play at the rim is rare. She will create many matchup problems for teams we play. "
Mikayla Williams
6-2 | F | Great Oak High School | Temecula, California
Starting in 27 games as a junior last season, Mikayla helped lead Great Oak High School to a 23-4 record and a second place finish in the CIF Division 1A Southwestern League. In the CIF 1A quarterfinal win vs Bishop Amat, Williams scored a game high 21 points and was named to the First Team All-Southwestern League for the 2013-14 season.
"Mikayla is a tremendously athletic forward who plays as hard as any high school player I've seen," Park said. "She has a great feel for the game, is always around the ball, and makes great things happen for her team. She has a strong work ethic and commitment to being a champion that is vital to our success. It's always special when you can get this kind of talent and work ethic in your back yard, and I couldn't be happier she chose to be a Titan."
Williams is the lone sign from California, as the Titans' national reach continues to grow, with three of the four signees hailing from out-of-state.
"I want to give special thanks to everyone who helped make this day possible," Park said. "My staff, our athletic and campus administration, academic support and compliance all made this day possible. The future continues to get brighter here at Cal State Fullerton, and I can't wait to see these players on the floor in Blue and Orange."
The Titans open the season on Sunday at Titan Gym as they host coach Park's alma mater Montana State at 1:00 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online by following this link.
