Laura Beeman’s first Division I signed recruits cover the spectrum of college basketball experience.
The Hawaii women’s basketball team announced the first commitments of the Beeman era on Tuesday with the addition of 5-foot-10 freshman forward Destiny King and 5-foot-7 senior point guard Monica DeAngelis for the 2012-13 season.
After a lull without a signing after her March 23 hire, Beeman was proud to make this press release.
"It’s nice," she said. "As a coaching staff, we know what’s going on and what’s in the works, and to finally be able to release this information … we’re working hard trying to find players who are the right fit for the program."
Both recruits hail from California — King from Long Beach Poly High and DeAngelis from Los Angeles via Loyola Marymount University — but that’s about where their similarities end.
King averaged 12 points, eight rebounds and four steals per game for a perennial winner. The Jackrabbits went 123-21 during her prep career, including 48-0 in league play. Last season, Poly was ranked seventh in California and 20th nationally.
"Destiny King, I have watched play for three or four years," Beeman said. "She was one of the first I was interested in (here). She brings a winning mentality to the game, and that’s something you can’t replace. She knows how to win, she’s going to work hard … that’s something we need, somebody to bring that attitude to this program."
DeAngelis is a collegiate veteran with four years under her belt at LMU; one was a redshirt year due to injury. She already earned her bachelor’s degree and is able to play right away for UH in her final season of eligibility. She averaged 5.8 points and shot 31 percent on 3-pointers as a Lions junior.
"Monica, coming in as a senior, I’m sure people are going to look at that as a little crazy," Beeman said. "But to balance out the youth in the program is huge. She played three years, (72) games under her belt. She brings experience and maturity, composure, and that winning metality we need in that point guard position."
Two players from the fall recruiting class, guard/forward Diane Moore and guard Morgan Roberts, are still committed to the program. Beeman has three other scholarships available for next season. The coach said she still considers post players her biggest need.
