Nov. 12, 2008

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue head women's basketball coach Sharon Versyp announced Wednesday that the Boilermakers have secured another outstanding group of prospective student-athletes. Three of the country's top high school players have signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Purdue beginning in the fall of 2009.

Michaela "KK" Houser, a 5-foot-7 guard from Lincoln, Neb., (Southeast High School), Sam Ostarello, a 6-foot-2 forward from Fort Pierre, S.D., (Stanley County High School) and Ashley Wilson, a 6-foot forward from Wheeling, Ill., (Wheeling High School) all made their official commitments to the Boilermakers during the early signing period, which began Wednesday and continues through Nov. 21.

All three student-athletes are rated among the top 100 players in the country by the All-Star Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and the signing class is ranked No. 13 nationally.

"These three girls are a very versatile group, they bring with them energy, competiveness and the ability to play multiple positions," coach Versyp said. "We're very excited about them being a

top-13 recruiting class."

Purdue is ranked 23rd in the Associated Press Top 25 poll with 11 letterwinners and four returning starters back from the 2007-08 campaign. The Boilermakers are coming off a 19-15 record in 2007-08 that included a third place finish in the Big Ten Conference, a Big Ten Tournament championship and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Purdue also welcomes back All-American candidate Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton who missed last season after ACL surgery and junior Jodi Howell who sat out last year after undergoing two surgeries on her shoulder.

Purdue won its only exhibition game this preseason, 68-50 over Ohio Girls Basketball Report Legends and will host its season opener against IUPUI at 2 p.m. on Sunday in Mackey Arena. Tickets for that game, as well as the entire home schedule and the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis can be purchased through the Purdue Athletics Ticket Office (800-49-SPORT) or by clicking here.

A look at the three newest additions to the Purdue women's basketball program follows:

MICHAELA HOUSER, 5-7, Guard (Lincoln, Neb./Southeast High School)
Statistics/Records: Averaged 14.3 points, 4.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 3.8 steals as a junior ... averaged 16.7 points in her sophomore season ... led Southeast to a 25-1 record and a Class-A state championship in her junior season ... scored her 1,000th career point in 2007-08 and is three points away from being Southeast's all-time leading scorer ... holds the Southeast record for assists, free throws and steals.

Awards/Honors: Ranked 65th in nation by the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and 84th by All-Star Girls Report ... two-time Class-A first-team all-state selection ... three-time all-city selection ... three-time all conference selection ... named to the first-team Super State team in 2007-08... three-time all-conference selection in softball ... holds the state softball records for steals in a game, season and career ... named first-team Super State for softball this season ... set the all -class state record with a first place finish in the 4x400 meter relay at the state championships in 2008 ... finished in first place in the Class A 100 hurdles and 4x400 relay at the state championships as a sophomore.

Personal Data: Born May 15, 1991, in Sioux Falls, S.D. ... mother is Sandy Houser... has a brother, Mike, and sisters Akirah and Erykah ... plans to major in communication.

Versyp on Houser ...
"She's an extraordinary three-sport athlete, which makes her a competitor, a true winner and a leader. She's an outstanding point guard who is an energizer from start to finish and a leader who can shoot the deep three. She can pressure the ball for 40 minutes. She can excite the crowd and she gets the ball to her teammates. Her amazing personality and energy is very contagious, which will engage great team chemistry. We will have FahKara Malone and KK side-by-side because she's exceptionally quick. Her skill of attacking the basket will be an obvious asset. I don't think we've ever had someone like Michaela who has three state accolades in three different sports; she separates herself as a state champ in two out of those three (basketball and track)."

SAM OSTARELLO, 6-2, Forward (Fort Pierre, S.D./Stanley County High School)
Statistics/Records: Has totaled 1,096 points, 768 rebounds, 209 assists, 170 steals and 201 blocked shots in her three-year career at Stanley Co. H.S. ... averaged 20.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.8 steals and 2.7 blocks as a junior ... has career averages of 16.1 points and 11.3 rebounds ... set school record for points in a season (576) as a junior ... holds school record for rebounds in a game with 25 ... also plays volleyball and runs track ... is a two-time Class A state high jump champion and in 2007 recorded the best mark in the high jump for all class levels.

Awards/Honors: Ranked 15th in nation by Hoopgurlz, 45th in the All-Star Girls Report, ranked 52nd in the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and 57th in the Blue Star Report ... two-time all-conference selection. .. named to the state all-tournament team ... selected second team all-state as a junior ... has led her team to the Class A state tournament the last two years... member of her school's concert, pep and jazz bands; plays the clarinet and tenor sax ... member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society and on the student council ... volunteers at area soup kitchens.

Personal Data: Born July 21, 1991, in Pozzuoli, Italy ... parents are Ron Ostarello and Lenise Haag (stepfather is Larry Haag) ... plans to major in health sciences.

Versyp on Ostarello ...
" Sam is an extremely versatile athlete who has a very long frame, is skilled and is strong competitor. She is the state high jump winner and has used her leaping ability on the basketball court by dunking in a couple of AAU games. Right now with Hoopgurlz she is ranked as the top-15 player in the country. Sam has great hands and can play inside or outside, and can shoot the three. She has great court vision which enables her to be a great passer. Her all around skill is what separates her from other players her size. She has the ability to rebound the ball and run within our style."

ASHLEY WILSON, 6-0, Forward (Wheeling, Ill. /Wheeling High School)
Statistics/Records: Has totaled 1,287 points and 683 rebounds in her three-year career at Wheeling High School ... average 15.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 1.8 assists while shooting 60 percent from the field as a junior ... past three seasons led Wheeling to a 79-15 record, including a 28-4 record last season ... named a team captain her junior year and helped her team win its first conference title in school history ... qualified for state in the shot put as a junior.

Awards/Honors: Ranked 40th in nation by the All-Star Girls Report, 44th by the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and 71st by Blue Star Report ... first team all-state in 2008 ... three-time all-conference selection ... named conference co-MVP in 2007-08 ... Daily Herald Player of the Year as a sophomore ... three-time Pioneer Press All-Area.

Personal Data: Born Aug. 13, 1991, in Chicago ... parents are Jennifer and Charles Wilson ... has a sister, Lashonda White, and a brother, Charles Dotson ... plans to major in criminal justice.

Versyp on Wilson ...
" Ashley Wilson is a very gifted athletic and a strong competitor. She is usually very successful; she just picked up track last year and ended up a state finalist in the shot put in her first season. Ashley is very physical and a mentally tough player. She will play at the power forward position for us. With her tenacity, willingness to be physical and her great rebounding ability she will be a very demanding force down low. She is a tenacious rebounder, using her strength and jumping ability, which will be a key for us on the boards. She can score down low using her powerful and athletic build. I think Ashley's biggest asset is her will to win. She loves to compete at the highest level at all times."