OXFORD, Miss. Ole Miss women’s basketball head coach Renee Ladner announced Wednesday the signing of center Nikki Byrd and guard LaTosha Laws to National Letters of Intent to attend Ole Miss beginning in the 2008-09 season.
“We are very pleased with out recruiting class thus far,” Ladner said. “Nikki and LaTosha are good student-athletes both on and off the court. We believe they are a good fit for our program.”
A 6-4 center from Brookhaven, Miss., Byrd arrives at Ole Miss via Brookhaven High School where she enters her senior season under head coach Alfreda Craft. Last season as a junior, Byrd average 17.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 2.2 blocks per game en route to being named a Mississippi All-State selection. In addition, Byrd was named Brookhaven High School’s Player of the Year for her efforts on the hardwood in 2006-07.
“Nikki Byrd will give us some much needed size, versatility and depth at the post position,” Ladner said.
A product of Northside High School by way of Memphis, Tenn., Laws is regarded as one of the southeast’s top point guards. Last season as a junior, Laws helped guide the Cougars to the Tennessee AAA State championship game where they finished runner-up. According to the Ole Miss coaching staff, Laws not only has the ability to score from the point guard position, but she also excels at dribbling, penetrating and rebounding despite her 5-10 frame.
“LaTosha Laws will bring athleticism and the ability to play multiple positions at guard,” Ladner said.
