Oklahoma State University Athletics
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Cowgirls Add Four During Fall Signing Period
November 09, 2016 | Cowgirl Basketball
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State's women's basketball team has announced the signing of four players to National Letters of Intent today with head coach Jim Littell and his staff adding a pair of junior college standouts in Maria Castro and Clitan de Sousa as well as prep talents Braxtin Miller and Abbie Winchester.
"We are extremely excited about this recruiting class," Littell said. "We have signed four very talented players that will all make an immediate impact on our program. All four are high character young ladies and are proven winners."
Castro, a native of Guanajuato, Mexico, helped Gulf Coast State (Fla.) College to a 32-1 mark and the NJCAA national title a year ago. As a freshman, the 5-11 forward averaged 10.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per contest while shooting 41.4 percent from the floor. Additionally, Castro was a first-team all-conference selection as well as an all-tournament team pick for the NJCAA Region 8/FCSAA Women's Basketball Tournament.
"Maria Castro is an excellent shooter who also has the ability to score off the dribble," Littell said. "Maria has the size and strength to be an outstanding rebounder as well. She is a true winner who helped Gulf Coast State College capture its fourth national title."
A native of Maputo, Mozambique, de Sousa helped Seward County (Kan.) Community College to runner-up finishes in both the Jayhawk Conference and the Region VI Tournament as a freshman. The 6-0 forward started 32 of the Lady Saints' 33 games on the year, averaging 8.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest. For the season, she shot 50 percent from the floor while tallying 11 double-figure scoring games.
"Clitan has a high motor and plays every possession. She is long, athletic and will continue to develop due to a strong work ethic," Littell said. "Clitan loves to play defense and has the length and quickness to become a lockdown defender."
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Miller has led Alter High School to state titles each of the past two seasons. As a sophomore the 5-10 guard averaged 10.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest during the Knights' championship run. Last year, Miller averaged 16.8 points per contest and produced a 33-point, 10-rebound outing in the state title game. She was named both the conference and area player of the year and is ranked in the top 25 at her position by ESPN HoopGurlz.
"Braxtin Miller is a proven winner who is really strong, physical and tough minded. She has the ability to get in the middle of the lane and make plays," Littell said. "Her strength, competitive attitude and proven ability to win at a high level make her a nice addition for us. She is just a young lady that knows how to win and finish an opponent."
As a junior, Winchester averaged a double-double for Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City. The 6-1 forward averaged 13.5 points and 11 rebounds per contest on her way to earning honorable mention All-State honors and honorable mention Little All-City recognition from The Oklahoman. Winchester carries a top 60 position ranking according to ESPN HoopGurlz.
"Abbie does a lot of things that will help our team win games. She sets screens, defends, rebounds and gets every loose ball. I love her physicality, her toughness and her strength. She has really worked to develop her skill set as well," Littell said. "Her dad played football here and she has been raised around Oklahoma State. We really wanted Abbie to be a Cowgirl and she was a perfect fit for our team."
"We are extremely excited about this recruiting class," Littell said. "We have signed four very talented players that will all make an immediate impact on our program. All four are high character young ladies and are proven winners."
Castro, a native of Guanajuato, Mexico, helped Gulf Coast State (Fla.) College to a 32-1 mark and the NJCAA national title a year ago. As a freshman, the 5-11 forward averaged 10.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per contest while shooting 41.4 percent from the floor. Additionally, Castro was a first-team all-conference selection as well as an all-tournament team pick for the NJCAA Region 8/FCSAA Women's Basketball Tournament.
"Maria Castro is an excellent shooter who also has the ability to score off the dribble," Littell said. "Maria has the size and strength to be an outstanding rebounder as well. She is a true winner who helped Gulf Coast State College capture its fourth national title."
A native of Maputo, Mozambique, de Sousa helped Seward County (Kan.) Community College to runner-up finishes in both the Jayhawk Conference and the Region VI Tournament as a freshman. The 6-0 forward started 32 of the Lady Saints' 33 games on the year, averaging 8.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest. For the season, she shot 50 percent from the floor while tallying 11 double-figure scoring games.
"Clitan has a high motor and plays every possession. She is long, athletic and will continue to develop due to a strong work ethic," Littell said. "Clitan loves to play defense and has the length and quickness to become a lockdown defender."
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Miller has led Alter High School to state titles each of the past two seasons. As a sophomore the 5-10 guard averaged 10.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest during the Knights' championship run. Last year, Miller averaged 16.8 points per contest and produced a 33-point, 10-rebound outing in the state title game. She was named both the conference and area player of the year and is ranked in the top 25 at her position by ESPN HoopGurlz.
"Braxtin Miller is a proven winner who is really strong, physical and tough minded. She has the ability to get in the middle of the lane and make plays," Littell said. "Her strength, competitive attitude and proven ability to win at a high level make her a nice addition for us. She is just a young lady that knows how to win and finish an opponent."
As a junior, Winchester averaged a double-double for Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City. The 6-1 forward averaged 13.5 points and 11 rebounds per contest on her way to earning honorable mention All-State honors and honorable mention Little All-City recognition from The Oklahoman. Winchester carries a top 60 position ranking according to ESPN HoopGurlz.
"Abbie does a lot of things that will help our team win games. She sets screens, defends, rebounds and gets every loose ball. I love her physicality, her toughness and her strength. She has really worked to develop her skill set as well," Littell said. "Her dad played football here and she has been raised around Oklahoma State. We really wanted Abbie to be a Cowgirl and she was a perfect fit for our team."
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