Women's Basketball Signs Four to 2022 Class
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Head UNM women’s basketball coach Mike Bradbury and staff have put together a solid recruiting class for 2022, with three having local ties to New Mexico.
The Lobos signed two local talents in Natalia Chavez and Jaelyn Bates from Volcano Vista High School, as well as Albuquerque-born Hannah Robbins and Brooke Berry from Billings, Montana. All four are listed as guards, with Bates able to play the point guard position.
“I couldn’t be happier with the signing of this class,” Bradbury noted. “Their character and talent will help our team continue to compete for championships.”
Jaelyn Bates | PG | 5-7 | Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bates brings to UNM a long list of accolades from her high school career at Volcano Vista and her club teams, the New Mexico Clippers and New Mexico Elite.
During her time at Volcano Vista, Bates won back-to-back District 1-5A championships and won the 2019 and 2020 1-5A District tournament. She has won first team all-district, first team all-metro, second team all-state, was named the District Tournament Player of the Game, District 1-5A Player of the Year and was named the Volcano Vista Winter Sports Female Athlete of the Year in 2019.
With her club team, Bates won the 2019 Platinum Division Atlanta NCAA Showcase national championship, was the 2019 Atlanta Peach Splash NCAA Showcase runner-up and the 2019 NABI Girls Gold Division national champions. In 2018, her team was the 2018 AAS national champion and the 2018 USA Basketball Open Championship runner-up. While with the New Mexico Elite, she was also selected MVP and Player of the NABI championship game.
“Jaelyn is continuing to grow into a role of leading and facilitating a team,” stated Bradbury. “Her craftiness with the ball and ability to create for herself and her teammates will give Jaelyn a chance to make an impact early in her career at UNM.”
Intending to major in biochemistry at UNM, Bates chose New Mexico “to represent JB White and continue to do put New Mexico on the map just like he did.”
Natalia Chavez | G | 5-10 | Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico
Joining Bates from here in Albuquerque and Volcano Vista High School is Chavez, who brings an equally impressive resume to the Lobos.
Chavez was named the 1-5A District Player of the Year in 2019-20 and 2020-21, while also earning first team all-state and first team all-metro during that time span. She reached the 1,000-point career milestone last season and was also up for an ESPY award for her game-winning half-court shot to win the 5A title.
As a sophomore, she averaged 17.9 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game and 2.8 steals per game. As a junior, she averaged 16.5 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists per game and 2.4 steals per game.
“Natalia, “Talie” has a maturity to her game that you typically don’t see in young players,” noted Bradbury. “She embraces the big moments and has grown her game over the past year. We’re looking forward to a big senior year for Talie, and eager to get her on campus.”
As for why New Mexico was the place for her, Chavez stated, “I chose UNM because as a little girl it was my dream to wear the cherry and silver and play in The Pit. I also chose UNM because of the fan base and high level of competition.”
Hannah Robbins | G | 6-0 | Phoenix, Arizona
The third member of the signing class has family ties to UNM, and while she moved to Phoenix her freshman year, is returning home to play at New Mexico.
Robbins will be the second member of her family to attend UNM, with her father Rob Robbins being a Lobo alum on the men’s basketball team.
Born in Albuquerque, Robbins has excelled at PHH Prep and with her Arizona Elite and Arizona Select club teams.
As a sophomore, Robbins averaged 16.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, and elevated her game as a junior with the Grind Session, where she averaged 20.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.7 blocks per game. Her junior year with PHH Prep, she averaged 16 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks per game.
She earned all-conference first team and all-city Tempe first team in 2018-19 and 2019-20, after leading the team in points, rebounds and blocks her freshman and sophomore seasons as well as the conference in double-doubles, scoring, rebounds, and blocks. Robbins started every varsity game as a freshman and sophomore and was named a team captain during her 2019-20 season.
In addition, the new Lobo was named the 28.5 Prep League Player of the Year, 28.5 Prep League First Team and to the 2021 Grind Session All-Star Team.
“Hannah will be a great fit into our offense with her ability to knock down shots, but also put it on the floor,” Bradbury commented. “Her size and length will allow us to play her in multiple positions. We’re excited to watch Hannah continue to grow and develop over the next four years.”
“Growing up in New Mexico, it has always been a dream to play in The Pit,” Robbins stated on her decision to attend UNM. “The facilities along with the coaching staff are unmatched and I am extremely excited to follow in my dad’s footsteps at UNM.”
Brooke Berry | G | 6-0 | Billings, Montana
From Skyview High School in Billings, Montana, Berry joins the Lobos after being a three-time first team all-state recipient as well as earning the first team all-conference distinction three times. In addition, she was named the 2021 offensive player of the year after being the leading scorer and leading in assists in the state with 17.6 points per game and 4.2 assists per game.
“Brooke brings a level of athleticism that will be translatable to college play,” Bradbury commented. “She’s long, bouncy, and active around the rim. Brooke has been exposed to high-level basketball and will bring a winning pedigree to our program.”
Berry touted the amazing fan base and the family-like coaching staff as to why New Mexico was the school for her.