TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati women's basketball head coach Michelle Clark-Heard announced Wednesday the signings of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to join the Bearcats program in 2019-20.
"I am beyond excited to announce my first signing class here at Cincinnati," said Clark-Heard. "My staff and I, very early, targeted players that represented both myself as a head coach and the product that we want to put on the floor every night. Tenacity, effort, and versatility are just some of the characteristics that we looked for when compiling this class and I could not be happier with the players that have decided to be a part of this new era. We have assembled a class that has experienced winning on multiple levels. They all believe in my vision for Bearcats women's basketball and are ready to come in and work to achieve that vision. This is a group that I know will represent not only our program, but UC athletics and the Cincinnati community as a whole with a great deal of pride. Please join me in welcoming our 2019 signing class to the University of Cincinnati."
// MEET THE SIGNEES
Jana Abdullah | 6-2 | F | Alexandria, Egypt/King Integrated American School
A graduate of the NBA Academy Women's Program, Abdullah brings a plethora of international experience to Clifton. Among many accomplishments, she was the top scorer in the Egyptian Junior League, led the Egyptian National Team to a third-place finish in the 2017 FIBA Africa Championships, and represented Egypt in the Junior Olympics in 3-on-3 competition. Most recently, she helped the U18 National Team to a FIBA Women's African Championship in 2018.
"Jana is a versatile and hard-working forward that is competitive on both ends of the floor. She has been playing on the international stage with the Egyptian National Team for several years now and that experience will prove invaluable to our team next year. Jana has competed against the best in the world and I look forward to her representing our Cincinnati women's basketball program."
Aleah Nelson | 5-6 | PG | Nottingham, Md./McDonogh High School
Ranking No. 202 in the All-Star Girls Report, Nelson averaged 12.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game as a junior at McDonogh. As a result, she was a Second Team Baltimore Sun All-Metro selection. Nelson's honors also include being picked as a U.S. Junior Nationals All-Star.
"Aleah is the true definition of a point guard and I cannot wait for her highlight-reel passes to be lighting up the video boards in Fifth Third Arena. She will extend the defense with her ability to shoot the deep 3, but it is the way she distributes the basketball and keeps her teammates engaged and involved that is so exciting. Aleah's energy and passion for the game are infectious and she is going to be so exciting to watch. I look forward to her pushing the tempo of our offense and defense for years to come."
Jada Scott | 6-1 | W | Townsend, Ga./Frederica Academy
Ranked as the No. 39 wing in the country by ESPN, Scott averaged 10.1 rebounds and 9.8 points per game as a junior at Frederica. She was also a Brunswick News Coastal Georgia All-Area Second Team honoree. In addition, Scott garnered Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) 3A All-State and All-Region accolades.
"Jada is a versatile wing that will be able to play multiple positions on both ends of the floor. She fits perfectly what we look for in a wing and her athleticism and tenacity allow her to guard different positions. Jada can consistently knock down perimeter jumpers and 3's. I look forward to her creating shots both in our offense and from all the havoc her energy will create on the defensive end."
Jadyn Scott | 6-1 | F | Townsend, Ga./Frederica Academy
Scott is Ranked as the No. 33 wing prospect nationally by ESPN and No. 248 overall by All-Star Girls Report. She averaged 11.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game last year at Frederica. A GISA 2-3A All-Region selection, Jadyn is the twin sister of Jada Scott. Furthermore, both Jada and Jadyn are sisters of Bearcats men's basketball redshirt junior forward Trevon Scott.
"Jadyn is the ideal small forward for my system and for the way we play on both ends of the floor. She has the ability to play inside & out and attacks the basket relentlessly. Jadyn, like her twin sister Jada, can guard every position on the floor and she will allow us to do a variety of things defensively. The Scott's are a Bearcats family and I am excited that Jada and Jadyn have decided to join their brother, Trevon, here at UC. I am looking forward to them creating their Bearcats legacy and putting their own stamp on UC basketball."
Jordan Tuff | 5-8 | G | Kernersville, N.C./Connections Academy
A Prospects Nation 3-star recruit and the No. 222-ranked player in the 2019 class by Blue Star, Tuff averaged 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game as a high school junior. She has recorded a number of achievements including National Independent School Athletic Association (NISAA) Classic Player of the Game, Under Armour All-American team member, The Mecca Girls High School Basketball Challenge MVP, and led her high school to a No. 9 national ranking by USA Today. Tuff also participated in the Elite Basketball Academy (EBA) All-American Camp.
"Jordan is a very versatile guard that can do a multitude of things. One of her strengths is her ability to shoot the 3 and I have seen her knock down clutch shots on multiple occasions. She is the definition of a gym rat and is constantly working on her craft. She has extensive experience playing in high-level national events and relishes playing on the biggest stage. I look forward to Jordan bringing her pro mentality and shot-making prowess to our Bearcats program."
Chellia Watson | 5-8 | G | Winder, Ga./Window-Barrow High School
Ranked No. 231 nationally by All-Star Girls Report, Watson was the Athens Banner-Herald Co-Player of the Year in 2017-18 and was Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Class 6A North First Team All-State. She also was recognized as an Atlanta Journal Constitution 6A Second Team pick and an 8-6A All-Region selection last year. Prior to this season, Watson garnered Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class 6A Preseason First Team All-State honors.
"Chellia is the true definition of a combo guard; she can score on all three levels and has the ability to create shots for herself and her teammates. Her offensive creativity will allow her to be highly successful in our ball-screen motion. Chellia has played in big games and is always ready to take big shots. She is fearless in all aspects of the game and I look forward to her bringing that fearlessness, excitement, & energy to Fifth Third Arena."
// UP NEXT
UC will begin its first road swing of the season Friday, Nov. 16, when it visits Pittsburgh for a 7 p.m. tipoff inside Petersen Events Center.
// SINGLE-GAME TICKET INFO
Single-game tickets for the 2018-19 season are on sale now. General admission tickets are available at just $5, while Champions Club tickets are $7. Discounts for youth (ages 4-12) and seniors (ages 65+) include $3 general admission tickets and $5 Champions Club tickets. Tickets can be purchased by either calling 1-877-CATS-TIX, logging onto GoBEARCATS.com/Tickets, or by visiting the Fifth Third Arena ticket office on gameday.
// SEASON TICKET INFO
Catch the exciting start of the Michelle Clark-Heard era and the reopening of Fifth Third Arena by purchasing your season tickets now! The prices for standard Bearcats season tickets are $65 for adults and $50 for youth, seniors, UC faculty and staff and current or former military members. Courtside season tickets are on sale for $100. Click here for more information on season tickets. Click here to purchase today.
"I am beyond excited to announce my first signing class here at Cincinnati," said Clark-Heard. "My staff and I, very early, targeted players that represented both myself as a head coach and the product that we want to put on the floor every night. Tenacity, effort, and versatility are just some of the characteristics that we looked for when compiling this class and I could not be happier with the players that have decided to be a part of this new era. We have assembled a class that has experienced winning on multiple levels. They all believe in my vision for Bearcats women's basketball and are ready to come in and work to achieve that vision. This is a group that I know will represent not only our program, but UC athletics and the Cincinnati community as a whole with a great deal of pride. Please join me in welcoming our 2019 signing class to the University of Cincinnati."
// MEET THE SIGNEES
Jana Abdullah | 6-2 | F | Alexandria, Egypt/King Integrated American School
A graduate of the NBA Academy Women's Program, Abdullah brings a plethora of international experience to Clifton. Among many accomplishments, she was the top scorer in the Egyptian Junior League, led the Egyptian National Team to a third-place finish in the 2017 FIBA Africa Championships, and represented Egypt in the Junior Olympics in 3-on-3 competition. Most recently, she helped the U18 National Team to a FIBA Women's African Championship in 2018.
"Jana is a versatile and hard-working forward that is competitive on both ends of the floor. She has been playing on the international stage with the Egyptian National Team for several years now and that experience will prove invaluable to our team next year. Jana has competed against the best in the world and I look forward to her representing our Cincinnati women's basketball program."
Aleah Nelson | 5-6 | PG | Nottingham, Md./McDonogh High School
Ranking No. 202 in the All-Star Girls Report, Nelson averaged 12.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game as a junior at McDonogh. As a result, she was a Second Team Baltimore Sun All-Metro selection. Nelson's honors also include being picked as a U.S. Junior Nationals All-Star.
"Aleah is the true definition of a point guard and I cannot wait for her highlight-reel passes to be lighting up the video boards in Fifth Third Arena. She will extend the defense with her ability to shoot the deep 3, but it is the way she distributes the basketball and keeps her teammates engaged and involved that is so exciting. Aleah's energy and passion for the game are infectious and she is going to be so exciting to watch. I look forward to her pushing the tempo of our offense and defense for years to come."
Jada Scott | 6-1 | W | Townsend, Ga./Frederica Academy
Ranked as the No. 39 wing in the country by ESPN, Scott averaged 10.1 rebounds and 9.8 points per game as a junior at Frederica. She was also a Brunswick News Coastal Georgia All-Area Second Team honoree. In addition, Scott garnered Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) 3A All-State and All-Region accolades.
"Jada is a versatile wing that will be able to play multiple positions on both ends of the floor. She fits perfectly what we look for in a wing and her athleticism and tenacity allow her to guard different positions. Jada can consistently knock down perimeter jumpers and 3's. I look forward to her creating shots both in our offense and from all the havoc her energy will create on the defensive end."
Jadyn Scott | 6-1 | F | Townsend, Ga./Frederica Academy
Scott is Ranked as the No. 33 wing prospect nationally by ESPN and No. 248 overall by All-Star Girls Report. She averaged 11.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game last year at Frederica. A GISA 2-3A All-Region selection, Jadyn is the twin sister of Jada Scott. Furthermore, both Jada and Jadyn are sisters of Bearcats men's basketball redshirt junior forward Trevon Scott.
"Jadyn is the ideal small forward for my system and for the way we play on both ends of the floor. She has the ability to play inside & out and attacks the basket relentlessly. Jadyn, like her twin sister Jada, can guard every position on the floor and she will allow us to do a variety of things defensively. The Scott's are a Bearcats family and I am excited that Jada and Jadyn have decided to join their brother, Trevon, here at UC. I am looking forward to them creating their Bearcats legacy and putting their own stamp on UC basketball."
Jordan Tuff | 5-8 | G | Kernersville, N.C./Connections Academy
A Prospects Nation 3-star recruit and the No. 222-ranked player in the 2019 class by Blue Star, Tuff averaged 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game as a high school junior. She has recorded a number of achievements including National Independent School Athletic Association (NISAA) Classic Player of the Game, Under Armour All-American team member, The Mecca Girls High School Basketball Challenge MVP, and led her high school to a No. 9 national ranking by USA Today. Tuff also participated in the Elite Basketball Academy (EBA) All-American Camp.
"Jordan is a very versatile guard that can do a multitude of things. One of her strengths is her ability to shoot the 3 and I have seen her knock down clutch shots on multiple occasions. She is the definition of a gym rat and is constantly working on her craft. She has extensive experience playing in high-level national events and relishes playing on the biggest stage. I look forward to Jordan bringing her pro mentality and shot-making prowess to our Bearcats program."
Chellia Watson | 5-8 | G | Winder, Ga./Window-Barrow High School
Ranked No. 231 nationally by All-Star Girls Report, Watson was the Athens Banner-Herald Co-Player of the Year in 2017-18 and was Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Class 6A North First Team All-State. She also was recognized as an Atlanta Journal Constitution 6A Second Team pick and an 8-6A All-Region selection last year. Prior to this season, Watson garnered Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class 6A Preseason First Team All-State honors.
"Chellia is the true definition of a combo guard; she can score on all three levels and has the ability to create shots for herself and her teammates. Her offensive creativity will allow her to be highly successful in our ball-screen motion. Chellia has played in big games and is always ready to take big shots. She is fearless in all aspects of the game and I look forward to her bringing that fearlessness, excitement, & energy to Fifth Third Arena."
// UP NEXT
UC will begin its first road swing of the season Friday, Nov. 16, when it visits Pittsburgh for a 7 p.m. tipoff inside Petersen Events Center.
// SINGLE-GAME TICKET INFO
Single-game tickets for the 2018-19 season are on sale now. General admission tickets are available at just $5, while Champions Club tickets are $7. Discounts for youth (ages 4-12) and seniors (ages 65+) include $3 general admission tickets and $5 Champions Club tickets. Tickets can be purchased by either calling 1-877-CATS-TIX, logging onto GoBEARCATS.com/Tickets, or by visiting the Fifth Third Arena ticket office on gameday.
// SEASON TICKET INFO
Catch the exciting start of the Michelle Clark-Heard era and the reopening of Fifth Third Arena by purchasing your season tickets now! The prices for standard Bearcats season tickets are $65 for adults and $50 for youth, seniors, UC faculty and staff and current or former military members. Courtside season tickets are on sale for $100. Click here for more information on season tickets. Click here to purchase today.