TicketsCINCINNATI – Following its best season in over 15 years, University of Cincinnati women's basketball has signed a talented trio of 2020 recruits, complete with highly-decorated student-athletes Riane Burton, Caitlin Elseser, and Jillian Hayes.
"I am so excited to announce our 2020 signees to Bearcats Nation," said Head Coach Michelle Clark-Heard. "All three have strong ties to the state of Ohio and bring athleticism and versatility to the roster. Our fans are going to love their competitiveness and how hard they play. Please join me in welcoming Riane, Caitlin, and Jillian to our Bearcats Family."
// MEET THE SIGNEES
Riane Burton | 6-1 | G | Cypress, Texas | Cypress Ranch | Cy-Fair EYBL
Ranks as the No. 88 prospect nationally and a four-star recruit in the 2020 class by Prospects Nation … Tabbed as the No. 10 wing in the country in her class by ESPN … Averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per game as a junior at Cypress Ranch High School, helping guide the Mustangs to a 31-8 overall record and the third round of the state playoffs … On pace to join her high school's 1,000-point and 1,000-rebound clubs … Three-time First Team All-District honoree … 2018-19 All-Greater Houston First Teamer and All-State selection … Participated in the 2018 USA Basketball Women's U17 World Cup Team Trials.
"Riane is someone that we are excited to bring back home to Ohio," said Clark-Heard. "Her skillset will allow her to play several different positions within our system and she is able to defend every position on the floor. She can shoot the ball extremely well and her size will allow her to also post up smaller defenders. Riane has played at an extremely high level in both high school and AAU, both for Megan Daniel at Cy Ranch High School in Texas and for Patrick Hinson on the EYBL Circuit with Cy-Fair."
Caitlin Elseser | 6-4 | C | Findlay, Ohio | Liberty-Benton | Ohio Elite
Averaged 17 points and 7 rebounds per game as a junior at Liberty-Benton High School … Division III Third Team All-Ohio and Second Team All-Northwest District in 2019 … First Team Blanchard Valley Conference pick … Four-year high school volleyball letterwinner who was recently a part of a state championship team.
"Caitlin is exactly what we look for in a post player," said Clark-Heard, "she is a physical, high-motor center that is always running the floor. She has the ability to score in a variety of ways and is a great rebounder. Caitlin is a winner and just helped her Liberty-Benton High School volleyball team win a state championship. She plays on one of the best teams in the state of Ohio for Nate Irwin at Liberty-Benton and on the AAU circuit for Ohio Elite for Brooks Hall and Joe Finnegan."
Jillian Hayes | 6-1 | G | Loveland, Ohio | Loveland | Kentucky Premier EYBL
Ranks as the No. 116 prospect in the 2020 class by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report … Tabbed as a four-star recruit by Prospects Nation … Averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds per game as a junior at Loveland High School … Honorable Mention Division I All-Ohio and Second Team All-Southwest District in 2019 … Member of the National Honor Society … Comes from athletic bloodlines with her father, Jonathan, a former NFL player and the current head coach of the XFL's St. Louis BattleHawks, her mother, Kristi, a former Missouri Valley Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year at Drake, and her brother, Jaxson, the 8th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and a current member of the New Orleans Pelicans.
"Jillian was one of the first prospects my staff and I targeted in the 2020 class," said Clark-Heard. "She is a Cincinnati native and someone that we knew was important to keep at home. Jillian is going to cause matchup nightmares for our opponents as her size and athleticism allow her to play multiple positions in our system. She plays high school basketball for a great coach in Darnell Parker at Loveland High School and also played at a high level on the EYBL circuit for David Tapley and Kentucky Premier."
"I feel we have added athleticism, size, and a great deal of basketball skill to our Bearcats Program with the addition of Jillian, Caitlin, & Riane," added Clark-Heard. "All three believe in the vision I have for this program and are excited to help us take Bearcats Women's Basketball to the next level."
// GET CONNECTED
Stay up to date with the team by following the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @GoBearcatsWBB.
"I am so excited to announce our 2020 signees to Bearcats Nation," said Head Coach Michelle Clark-Heard. "All three have strong ties to the state of Ohio and bring athleticism and versatility to the roster. Our fans are going to love their competitiveness and how hard they play. Please join me in welcoming Riane, Caitlin, and Jillian to our Bearcats Family."
// MEET THE SIGNEES
Riane Burton | 6-1 | G | Cypress, Texas | Cypress Ranch | Cy-Fair EYBL
Ranks as the No. 88 prospect nationally and a four-star recruit in the 2020 class by Prospects Nation … Tabbed as the No. 10 wing in the country in her class by ESPN … Averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per game as a junior at Cypress Ranch High School, helping guide the Mustangs to a 31-8 overall record and the third round of the state playoffs … On pace to join her high school's 1,000-point and 1,000-rebound clubs … Three-time First Team All-District honoree … 2018-19 All-Greater Houston First Teamer and All-State selection … Participated in the 2018 USA Basketball Women's U17 World Cup Team Trials.
"Riane is someone that we are excited to bring back home to Ohio," said Clark-Heard. "Her skillset will allow her to play several different positions within our system and she is able to defend every position on the floor. She can shoot the ball extremely well and her size will allow her to also post up smaller defenders. Riane has played at an extremely high level in both high school and AAU, both for Megan Daniel at Cy Ranch High School in Texas and for Patrick Hinson on the EYBL Circuit with Cy-Fair."
Caitlin Elseser | 6-4 | C | Findlay, Ohio | Liberty-Benton | Ohio Elite
Averaged 17 points and 7 rebounds per game as a junior at Liberty-Benton High School … Division III Third Team All-Ohio and Second Team All-Northwest District in 2019 … First Team Blanchard Valley Conference pick … Four-year high school volleyball letterwinner who was recently a part of a state championship team.
"Caitlin is exactly what we look for in a post player," said Clark-Heard, "she is a physical, high-motor center that is always running the floor. She has the ability to score in a variety of ways and is a great rebounder. Caitlin is a winner and just helped her Liberty-Benton High School volleyball team win a state championship. She plays on one of the best teams in the state of Ohio for Nate Irwin at Liberty-Benton and on the AAU circuit for Ohio Elite for Brooks Hall and Joe Finnegan."
Jillian Hayes | 6-1 | G | Loveland, Ohio | Loveland | Kentucky Premier EYBL
Ranks as the No. 116 prospect in the 2020 class by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report … Tabbed as a four-star recruit by Prospects Nation … Averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds per game as a junior at Loveland High School … Honorable Mention Division I All-Ohio and Second Team All-Southwest District in 2019 … Member of the National Honor Society … Comes from athletic bloodlines with her father, Jonathan, a former NFL player and the current head coach of the XFL's St. Louis BattleHawks, her mother, Kristi, a former Missouri Valley Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year at Drake, and her brother, Jaxson, the 8th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and a current member of the New Orleans Pelicans.
"Jillian was one of the first prospects my staff and I targeted in the 2020 class," said Clark-Heard. "She is a Cincinnati native and someone that we knew was important to keep at home. Jillian is going to cause matchup nightmares for our opponents as her size and athleticism allow her to play multiple positions in our system. She plays high school basketball for a great coach in Darnell Parker at Loveland High School and also played at a high level on the EYBL circuit for David Tapley and Kentucky Premier."
"I feel we have added athleticism, size, and a great deal of basketball skill to our Bearcats Program with the addition of Jillian, Caitlin, & Riane," added Clark-Heard. "All three believe in the vision I have for this program and are excited to help us take Bearcats Women's Basketball to the next level."
// GET CONNECTED
Stay up to date with the team by following the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @GoBearcatsWBB.