TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati head women's basketball coach Jamelle Elliott announced Wednesday the signings of Mikayla Brandon and Zenzele Apesemaka-Vital to National Letters of Intent for the 2018-19 season.
A talented 6-foot-2 forward, Brandon (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) is a winner through and through, possessing the trademark Bearcats toughness. Vital (Waldorf, Md./National Christian Academy), a 5-foot-9 guard, flashes great athleticism and has the ability to make an early impact at UC.
"As we continue our upward trajectory in the American Athletic Conference," said Elliott, "we feel that we signed two players who will continue to elevate our program. Throughout the recruiting process, both Mikayla and Zenzele demonstrated that they are high-quality student-athletes and, more importantly, high-quality people. I am excited to welcome both of them and their families to the University of Cincinnati and to our Bearcats family."
// MEET THE SIGNEES
Mikayla Brandon | 6-2 | F | Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais | Junior Year Stats: 10.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, 3.3 spg, 2.3 bpg
A three-time all-conference and all-area selection, Brandon is approaching both 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds during her high school career, as well as more than 200 blocks. With 73 wins in three years, Brandon is on pace to become the winningest player in Bradley-Bourbonnais High School basketball history after leading the Boilers to back-to-back regional championships. The forward was named to the Hillcrest all-tournament team last season.
"Mikayla is a versatile power forward who will bring a tremendous skill set and basketball IQ to our post group next season. She can stretch the defense to the 3-point line with her ability to shoot and pass the basketball, and can be a mismatch down on the low block. What really set Mikayla apart from others we recruited at her position, and the main reason I'm excited to coach her, is the tenacity and toughness with which she plays the game. She does the intangible things; takes charges, dives on loose balls, is a great screen setter, and is a winner. Every successful team has players like that and we are excited to add her to the team next season."
Zenzele Apesemaka-Vital | 5-9 | G | Waldorf, Md./National Christian Academy | Junior Year Stats: 11.4 ppg
Previously attending Bishop McNamara High School, Vital has been a Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) all-conference honorable mention throughout her high school career. She was an important contributor to the 2016-17 Bishop McNamara team that went 16-13 overall, advancing to the WCAC quarterfinals. Vital's honors also include selection to the Boo Williams/Ronald Curry Christmas Classic all-tournament team. Talented both on the court and in the classroom, she earned magna cum laude honor roll distinction.
"In Zenzele's signing, we have added a player who has the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Her size, athleticism, toughness and willingness to defend were recognized immediately when we watched her play. On the offensive side of the floor, Zenzele proved herself this summer on the top AAU circuit in the country as a player who can play at a very high level both at the point guard spot and on the wing. Her skill set and her natural abilities on both sides of the ball will give her a chance to make an impact on our program immediately."
// 2017-18 SEASON OPENER
The Bearcats will tipoff the 2017-18 regular season against the ETSU Buccaneers on Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. inside Brooks Gym in Johnson City, Tennessee.
// EXPERIENCE UC
The Bearcats' 2017-18 campaign will again be part of the Experience UC initiative that offers free admission to home games. Groups interested in attending can contact Assistant Director of Marketing & Branding Deborah Dixon at dixond9@ucmail.uc.edu for more information.
A talented 6-foot-2 forward, Brandon (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) is a winner through and through, possessing the trademark Bearcats toughness. Vital (Waldorf, Md./National Christian Academy), a 5-foot-9 guard, flashes great athleticism and has the ability to make an early impact at UC.
"As we continue our upward trajectory in the American Athletic Conference," said Elliott, "we feel that we signed two players who will continue to elevate our program. Throughout the recruiting process, both Mikayla and Zenzele demonstrated that they are high-quality student-athletes and, more importantly, high-quality people. I am excited to welcome both of them and their families to the University of Cincinnati and to our Bearcats family."
// MEET THE SIGNEES
Mikayla Brandon | 6-2 | F | Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais | Junior Year Stats: 10.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, 3.3 spg, 2.3 bpg
A three-time all-conference and all-area selection, Brandon is approaching both 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds during her high school career, as well as more than 200 blocks. With 73 wins in three years, Brandon is on pace to become the winningest player in Bradley-Bourbonnais High School basketball history after leading the Boilers to back-to-back regional championships. The forward was named to the Hillcrest all-tournament team last season.
"Mikayla is a versatile power forward who will bring a tremendous skill set and basketball IQ to our post group next season. She can stretch the defense to the 3-point line with her ability to shoot and pass the basketball, and can be a mismatch down on the low block. What really set Mikayla apart from others we recruited at her position, and the main reason I'm excited to coach her, is the tenacity and toughness with which she plays the game. She does the intangible things; takes charges, dives on loose balls, is a great screen setter, and is a winner. Every successful team has players like that and we are excited to add her to the team next season."
Zenzele Apesemaka-Vital | 5-9 | G | Waldorf, Md./National Christian Academy | Junior Year Stats: 11.4 ppg
Previously attending Bishop McNamara High School, Vital has been a Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) all-conference honorable mention throughout her high school career. She was an important contributor to the 2016-17 Bishop McNamara team that went 16-13 overall, advancing to the WCAC quarterfinals. Vital's honors also include selection to the Boo Williams/Ronald Curry Christmas Classic all-tournament team. Talented both on the court and in the classroom, she earned magna cum laude honor roll distinction.
"In Zenzele's signing, we have added a player who has the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Her size, athleticism, toughness and willingness to defend were recognized immediately when we watched her play. On the offensive side of the floor, Zenzele proved herself this summer on the top AAU circuit in the country as a player who can play at a very high level both at the point guard spot and on the wing. Her skill set and her natural abilities on both sides of the ball will give her a chance to make an impact on our program immediately."
// 2017-18 SEASON OPENER
The Bearcats will tipoff the 2017-18 regular season against the ETSU Buccaneers on Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. inside Brooks Gym in Johnson City, Tennessee.
// EXPERIENCE UC
The Bearcats' 2017-18 campaign will again be part of the Experience UC initiative that offers free admission to home games. Groups interested in attending can contact Assistant Director of Marketing & Branding Deborah Dixon at dixond9@ucmail.uc.edu for more information.