Bradbury announces unprecedented third-consecutive Top-30 recruiting class
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – For the third-consecutive year, the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team has signed a recruiting class ranked among the Top-30 in the country according to numerous national recruiting services, as head coach Mike Bradbury officially announced the class on Wednesday.
“I’m really excited about this class of four 2019 recruits,” remarked Bradbury. “We’ve continued to add length and athleticism without sacrificing skill level. We also addressed the needs that will happen with graduation following our current season. With the success we had last year, and the bright future ahead; recruits are taking notice of UNM.”
This year’s signing class, which is rated as the top in the Mountain West for the third-consecutive year, features four future Lobos in Andriana Avent (Sacramento, Calif.), Corina Carter (San Antonio, Texas), Azaria Robinson (Anchorage, Alaska) and Autumn Watts (Centennial, Colo.). Carter and Robinson are both considered Top-100 recruits by ESPNW/HoopGurlz, marking the first time in program history that the Lobos have signed two Top-100 players in the same class. Carter is rated as the 100th overall prospect and the 26th point guard, while Robinson is ranked the 89th overall prospect and the 14th post player in the 2019 class.
Collectively, the class is ranked No. 29 by ESPNW/HoopGurlz, No. 29 by All-Star Girls Report (ASGR), No. 30th by Blue Star Basketball. The consensus Top-30 rating by the varied recruiting services marks another first in program history.
Andriana Avent
5-10 | Guard
Sacramento, Calif. | Sacramento HS
Dan Olson Rank: No. 131 Overall | No. 34 Guard
Avent comes to New Mexico from the northern part of California where she played prep basketball in Sacramento. In high school, Avent plays for Sacramento High School under Coach Michele Massari. On the AAU circuit, Avent is a member of the Cal Sparks Gold in the Girl’s Elite Youth Basketball League (GEYBL).
Bradbury on Avent:
“Andriana is a big guard who can really shoot it, as well as get to the basket. With her length, she has the potential to be a great defender at the next level. Andriana has played at a high level both in high school and with her AAU team and that will help prepare her for college basketball.”
Corina Carter
5-6 | Point Guard
San Antonio, Texas | Judson HS
Dan Olson Rank: No. 100 Overall | No. 26 Point Guard
Carter comes highly-decorated out of Judson High School in San Antonio, Texas, where she plays for Coach Trivia Corrales. In her time at Judson, Carter has earned Texas Girl’s Coaches Association (TGCA) All-Star status and has been named an All-Region performer by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC). This past season as a junior, Carter averaged 14.4 points per game and was named an All-District performer as well as being named to the UIL All-Tournament Team after helping lead her team to the Texas 6A State Finals. Carter also plays club basketball for San Antonio’s Finest and All Day Elite.
Bradbury on Carter:
“Corina has tremendous skills, is quick, has elite-level ball handling ability, and has deep shooting range. She has the skill-set that we look for in a point guard. Her prep career has prepared her for our level as her high school team plays at the highest level in a big basketball state of Texas, and her AAU team also competes against the best in the country.”
Azaria Robinson
6-2 | Forward
Anchorage, Alaska | West HS
Dan Olson Ranking: No. 89 Overall | No. 14 Post
The highest-rated prospect among the Lobos’ 2019 recruiting class, Robinson comes to UNM by way of Alaska where she is a four-sport letter-winner at West High School in Anchorage, Alaska. A two-time Alaska All-State player, Robinson earned first team honors this past season as a junior. In that season, Robinson was a double-double machine averaging 17.0 points per game and 18.0 rebounds per game. She also added 3.0 blocks per game to her ledger. In addition to her high school playing, Robinson is also member of the Alaska Stars.
Bradbury on Robinson:
“Zee has great size for a forward and can play inside and out. She runs the floor like a guard, but rebounds and finishes like a post player. She is a great athlete. Her high school team is ranked #1 in the state of Alaska and her AAU team plays at a high-level all summer.”
Autumn Watts
6-1 | Forward
Centennial, Colo. | Highlands Ranch HS
Dan Olson Rank: No. 152 Overall | No. 19 Forward
Watts makes the trip south from Colorado to join the Lobos in 2018-19 as a two-sport letter-winner at Highlands Ranch High School in Centennial, Colo. In basketball, Watts was a three-time Centennial League first team selection. Watts was also named as Co-MVP while in high school. This past season a junior, Watts averaged 16.7 points per game and pulled down 9.9 rebounds. Outside of high school competition, Watts plays for the Colorado Basketball Club. In 2016, she was the MVP of the Super 64 held in Frisco, Texas and was invited to participate in the Adidas Uprising All-American Camp in the summer of 2017.
Bradbury on Watts:
“Autumn is a versatile forward who can play inside & out. She has size & athleticism and comes from a great high school and club program. Autumn’s future is bright.”
