Princeton University Athletics
Princeton Women's Basketball Announces Class of 2019
June 22, 2015 | Women's Basketball
PRINCETON, N.J. – Coming off a banner season, the Princeton University women's basketball team and head coach Courtney Banghart will welcome six new members as part of the program's Class of 2019.
“Winning is first about getting the right people on the team,” said Banghart. “With this class we feel we are adding to the depth, breadth, talent, and personality of this great Tiger tradition.”
Representing six different states, Caroline Davis, Qalea Ismail, Sydney Jordan, Jordan Muhammad, Claudia Reid, and Gabrielle Rush will join 11 returning letterwinners looking to build on one of the most historic seasons in Ivy basketball history.
“We are bringing in competitors, winners, talented athletes, curious students, and people committed to the greater concept of team,” Banghart added. “Winning is about development, in that the pieces have to get better daily. This group comes in with lofty goals and a sense of purpose to reach them. They've already embraced challenges and opportunities in order to get here, and have improved as players and leaders throughout their high school careers. We are all very eager to have them put on the Orange and Black and see where they take this program together."
Putting the wraps on an unblemished 30-0 regular season, the 2014-15 Princeton women's basketball team rose to national prominence and climbed as high as No. 13 in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls, the highest-ever ranking for an Ivy program. Securing the school's first-ever NCAA tournament victory with an 80-70 win over Green Bay, the Tigers closed out the year with a 31-1 overall mark.
The reigning Naismith National Coach of the Year, Banghart has presided over one of the winningest eras in Princeton women's basketball history. Guiding the Tigers to five Ivy titles in the last six years, Banghart has posted a 169-67 (0.716) record in her eight seasons on the Princeton sideline with a 92-17 (0.844) mark against conference opponents.
Caroline Davis, 6-0, Guard/Forward
Newark, Del./Caravel Academy
HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year captain at Caravel Academy… led Buccaneers to state championship finals during her sophomore and senior seasons… 1,000-point scorer, led team in scoring and rebounding during her high school career… two-time second-team all-state selection (2014, 2015)… two-time Blue/Gold Senior All-Star Team pick… Tina Thompson She Got Game Classic MVP as a senior… also lettered in lacrosse (two years) and volleyball (four years).
ACADEMIC: National Honor Society… Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) Scholar-Athlete award winner.
ON BECOMING A TIGER:
“I am both excited and extremely grateful to have the opportunity to be a Princeton Tiger. To be accepted into an elite educational community that will enrich and develop my capabilities, both in the classroom and on the basketball court, is a dream come true. The next four years will shape me as a young adult and athlete in ways that presently, I can only imagine. Through instruction, coaching, new relationships, hard work, and personal tenacity, I hope to overcome challenges and achieve individual and collective team victories as my life's next chapter evolves at Princeton. I'm eager to join such an amazing team, community, and family that provides such a great sense of diversity and acceptance. I am already inspired by the exceptional people I have met at Princeton and comforted to know that they will help shape me and push me to success. I am looking forward to contributing my talents and abilities to their fullest to the esteem of Princeton.”
Qalea Ismail, 6-1, Guard
Bel Air, Md./Patterson Mill
HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterwinner and two-year captain at Patterson Mill… scored 1,000th point during junior season… holds all-time scoring record (boy's and girl's) with 1,758 points… averaged 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals as a senior… finished with 752 career rebounds… led Huskies to four regional championships and the 2014 UCBAC conference title… helped squad to two Class 2A state championships… McDonald's All-America nominee… four-time first-team all-county and first-team all-conference pick… 2015 Conference Player of the Year… two-time first-team All-Metro (2014, 2015)… 2013 second-team All-Metro… four-time Fox 45 News Prep Player of the Week… two-time Baltimore Sun Player of the Week… 2014 Harford Heart Player of the Month… 2014 USA Today Maryland second team… 695 Hoops Player of the Year… also lettered in volleyball and track & field.
ACADEMIC: Maryland Scholar… historian of National French Honor Society.
ON BECOMING A TIGER:
“I am extremely excited to be joining the team and embarking on the journey that the next chapter of my life at Princeton will bring me. I chose to become a part of the Tiger family because of the evident chemistry and passion that the players and coaches all share. I know that I will be surrounded by all of the right people. They all care so much about one another both on and off of the court. Everyone is committed to the all-around successful culture that the program has formed and I am ready to add my commitment and winning mindset. I look forward to contributing to the team in all ways that I can and helping to continue to create history at Princeton. I can't wait to face the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that await me both athletically and academically. I feel so blessed and thankful to become a Tiger.”
Sydney Jordan, 6-0, Guard/Forward
Manassas, Va./Stonewall Jackson
HIGH SCHOOL: Two-year captain at Stonewall Jackson… finished career with 910 points, 934 rebounds, 322 steals, and 261 assists… helped team to a 75-18 record and four conference championships… led Lady Raiders to two regional titles (2013, 2014), state semifinals berth in 2013 and state runner-up finish in 2014… McDonald's All-America nominee in 2015… Stonewall Jackson Female Athlete of the Year (2015)… first-team all-district (2014, 2015)… All-Met honorable mention honoree (2015)… All-Region Tournament team in 2014.
ACADEMIC: National Honor Society Vice President… Harvard Book Prize… Youth Salute Award… Virginia Girls' State Representative… National Achievement Scholarship… National Merit Scholarship Finalist… IB (International Baccalaureate) Honors Certificate… also a member of the Ecology Club, National English Honor Society… Peer Diversity Club, Acts of Random Kindness (ARK) Club.
ON BECOMING A TIGER:
“Going to Princeton will be a dream come true. I can't wait to be a part of a school and basketball program that is so committed to excellence in every way. I know this a great opportunity for me to grow as a person, academically, athletically, and socially. More than anything I want to contribute to Princeton's legacy of achievement on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. My work ethic and determination will be essential to this goal. I know the support and success of a Princeton education and this women's basketball team will be my stepping-stone to a successful future.”
Jordan Muhammad, 5-8, Guard
Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell
HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year captain at Ardrey Kell… helped Knights post a 101-18 record in four seasons… collected over 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 300 steals… owns program's steals record and ranks second all-time in scoring… helped Ardrey Kell to a pair of conference championships (2014, 2015)… led team to a sectional title in 2011-12, a regional runner-up (2014), and sectional runner-up finish (2015)… three-time all-conference selection… Conference Player of the Year, all-state and all-district pick as a senior… State All-Tournament team as a junior.
ACADEMIC: Honor Roll and Scholar Athlete honoree… member of Spanish Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society.
ON BECOMING A TIGER:
“I am extremely excited and honored to be a part of Princeton University's women's basketball team. I love being challenged and surrounding myself with well-rounded people. Coming into a program with such high levels of success is humbling. The team and coaching staff have built an environment in which I can grow as both a person and an athlete. I am proud to call this team my family and Princeton my new home.”
Claudia Reid, 5-7, Guard
DeWitt, Mich./DeWitt High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Three year-captain and four-year letterwinner at DeWitt High School… owns school record for assists (403) and ranks second in program history in career steals with 213… led Panthers to three CAAC Red League championships… helped team to district and regional titles and a Class A State runner-up finish in 2014-15… three-time CAAC Red first team selection (2013, 2014, 2015)… two-time all-area (2013, 2014) and Dream Team (2014-15) pick… three-time Associated Press All-State honorable mention selection… BCAM Class A All-State honoree in 2014-15… three-time DeWitt Playmaker of the Year… squad's Defensive Player of the Year in 2012-13… two-time team Offensive Player of the Year (2014, 2015)… also lettered in lacrosse.
ACADEMIC: Honor roll for three years… member of National Honor Society… BCAM Academic All-State (2014, 2015)… also served as the student government class president.
ON BECOMING A TIGER:
“I'm very excited to be continuing my academic and athletic career at Princeton. I know that attending this school and joining this successful athletic program will be an amazing journey and create outstanding opportunities for the future. I believe Princeton contains many aspects that make it come out on top in every category and I look forward to making my own impact on this university. I strive to portray myself as dedicated and driven with success coming from hard work, which I know to be the foundation of this program. I look forward to not only making my mark as a Tiger, but also to be inspired and motivated by other Tigers around me.”
Gabrielle Rush, 5-10, Guard
Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central
HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterwinner and senior captain at Hinsdale Central… program's career leader in scoring (2,322), rebounding (751), and three-pointers made (504)… owns school's single-season scoring (772), rebounding (362), and three-point (98) records… averaged 21.1 points during her career and a double-double as a senior… netted a single-game program-record 40 points in the 2015 regional championship… led Hinsdale Central ISHA regional title… Esmark All-America honoree… Associated Press first-team all-state selection… IABAC and Chicago Sun Times first-team all-state pick… Pioneer Press, Suburban Life Player of the Year… four-time all-conference honoree… regional three-point champion (2011-15)… finished third in Illinois Ms. Basketball voting… also lettered in tennis and soccer.
ACADEMIC: Illinois State Scholar… National Merit Scholar Letter of Commendation… AP Scholar with Distinction… IHSA All-State Academic Team… member of National Honor Society.
ON BECOMING A TIGER:
“Becoming a Princeton Tiger fulfills a life objective for me. Being welcomed into an institution and basketball program synonymous with unmatched excellence and success is both an honor and a privilege. I hope to uphold the high athletic and academic standards set by Princeton, and contribute to the already fabulous achievements of its women's basketball program. Go Tigers!”