Oklahoma State University Athletics
OSU Signs Three Future Cowgirls
June 09, 2003 | Cowgirl Basketball
Kara Faulk, a 5-11 forward from Sapulpa, Okla., was named the Frontier Conference's Most Valuable Player last season, while averaging 15.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. She was named all-state, all-conference and all-metro both her sophomore and junior seasons. Kara has played AAU basketball the last six summers with the Oklahoma Braves.
"Kara had an outstanding summer," said OSU Coach Dick Halterman. "She caught everybody's attention and really moved up as far as her worth in the state. When the summer was over, I think a lot of people thought Kara was the best player in the state. She expanded her range quite a bit and can shoot from the perimeter or take it to the hole."
Jessica Bates, a 6-3 post player from Owasso, Okla., was named all-metro last season after averaging 14.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. She played AAU summer basketball this year with the Oklahoma Express and last summer with the Tulsa Angels. Jessica was recruited by several schools, and chose Oklahoma State over Tulsa, Southwest Missouri State, Ole Miss, Hawaii and Arkansas State.
"We looked all summer long at big kids all over the country and we kept coming back to Jessica," said Halterman. "She's a 6-3 kid with a wide body and a strong, physical build , who will develop into an excellent Big 12 player. When you look nationwide, she's got a chance to be as good as anybody."
Coleman Smith, a 6-1 post player from Springdale Ark., was named both all- conference and and all-state last season while also making the Class 4A state all-tournament team. She averaged 14.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while leading Springdale High School to the second round of the state tournament. Coleman played AAU basketball this past season with the Arkansas Mavericks after spending three years prior with the Arkansas Spiders. She chose OSU over Southwest Missouri State, New Mexico State and South Florida.
"Coleman is a little bigger and a little bit more physical than what Kara is," said Halterman. "She's a lot stronger inside and is a good rebounder. She's got an outstanding chance to be a good player in the Big 12 at either the three (small forward) or four (power forward) positions."
1998-99 Women's Basketball Signees
Name Ht Pos PPG RPG Hometown (High School) Jessica Bates 6-3 F 14.0 6.5 Owasso, Okla. (Owasso HS) Kara Faulk 5-11 F 15.8 9.0 Sapulpa, Okla. (Sapulpa HS) Coleman Smith 6-1 F 14.0 7.0 Springdale, Ark. (Springdale HS)
