May 1, 2008

Chicago, Ill. - University of Illinois at Chicago head women's basketball coach Lisa Ryckbosch has announced the signing of Kiara Strickland (Minneapolis, Minn./Roosevelt) to a National Letter of Intent for 2008-09.

"We are thrilled to welcome Kiara Strickland to our UIC Family," said Ryckbosch. "Kiara is a talented, versatile athlete who can play multiple positions."

Strickland, who at 6-foot-1 can play guard or forward, averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and three assists per game her senior year.

"Kiara possesses three-point range and the ability to score from the perimeter, but she can also get to the basket and score from the inside," said Ryckbosch.

She guided her team to the Minnesota sectionals her senior season, earning All-Minneapolis City Conference accolades while being named team MVP.

An explosive scorer, Strickland totaled more than 1,700 points in her career at Roosevelt.

"Kiara is a tenacious defender and rebounder, which will fit in very well with our style of play," said Ryckbosch. "We feel very fortunate to have found someone with her talent during the late signing period."