Nov. 8, 2006
WACO, Texas - The Lady Bear basketball program signed two players to National Letters of Intent (NLI), head coach Kim Mulkey announced today. Inking with Baylor in the early signing period which began today and runs through Nov. 15 were guards Melissa Jones (Thornton, Colo.) and Kelli Griffin (Houston, Texas).
After claiming the 2005 NCAA championship and returning to the Sweet 16 in 2006, Baylor continues to recruit players from all across the nation as evidenced by Jones' signing.
Jones, a 5-11 guard, is a versatile athlete who also excels in volleyball and soccer at Legacy High School in Broomfield, Colo. Jones is ranked No. 13 nationally on the HoopGurlz National Hot 100 list. In addition, they also named her the nation's No. 1 breakout player. Jones, who only participated in the national AAU basketball circuit this past summer therefore was relatively unknown prior to then, ranks No. 36 on All Star Girls Report's national list.
The Colorado native averaged 20.5 points and 10.1 rebounds a game as a junior and added 113 steals. For her three-year high school career she maintains averages of 20.7 points and 8.7 rebounds. She is a three-time all-conference selection and has received all-region and all-state recognition twice. Jones virtually owns the record book at Legacy HS. She holds school game records for points (38), field goals made (11), field goal percentage (.889, 8-of-9), 3-point made (4), free throws made (12), free throw percentage (100%, 10-of10), rebounds (18) and steals (14). In addition, she is a two-time all-conference selection in volleyball and earned all-region kudos in 2006 as well as all-conference soccer recognition where she has played both goalie and forward.
"When I went to visit Baylor, I just fell in love with everything there. The players, coaches, staff and campus are all incredible. I just knew that Baylor was the place for me," said Jones.
Griffin, a 5-8 Clear Brook High School standout, scored 14.5 points, grabbed 4.7 rebounds, dished out 4.7 assists and registered 3.8 steals as a junior last season. The 5-8 senior is Texas Hoops' top-ranked player in the class of 2007. Griffin tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in May and is currently recovering from the injury. She is a three-time All-District 24-5A selection and also has trice been named District MVP and All-Greater Houston. Griffin earned all-region recognition twice and was an all-state pick as a junior. She was recently named first-team All-Greater Houston by the Houston Chronicle. Griffin is Baylor's second player signed out of Clear Brook HS, former Lady Bear standout Chameka Scott played four seasons at Baylor and was a starter on the 2005 NCAA championship squad.
"I have been wanting to go to Baylor since the seventh grade. Especially since Coach Mulkey was a point guard, I know she can make me a much better player, I'll be learning from one of the best," said Griffin. "Plus, there is such a family atmosphere there and I was looking for that in a school."
"We are obviously extremely pleased with the signing of these two outstanding student-athletes. Their addition will help us continue to keep our program at a level of respect and a level that allows us to compete each year for the Big 12 Conference and NCAA championships," said Mulkey. "Both of these players are impact perimeter players who possess minds for the game of basketball and winning attitudes. Those traits, along with their work ethic, intense play and incredible energy, make them a perfect fit for our basketball program."
Baylor 2007 Signees:
Kelli Griffin - 5-8 - Fr. - G - Houston,Texas (Clear Brook HS)
Melissa Jones - 5-11 - Fr. - G - Thornton, Colo. (Legacy HS)
