University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Brandon Dill
Women's Basketball Inks Highest Recruiting Class Under McFerrin
Nov 16, 2018 | Women's Basketball
Tigers sign three four-star recruits and one three-star recruit during the early signing period
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The future of the Memphis women's basketball program is extremely bright with the signing of four four-star and one three-star recruits during the early November signing period.
The Tigers landed hometown talent in twins Lanetta and Lanyce Williams and Madison Griggs, while Aerial Wilson joins Memphis from Canada and Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu transfers from Walters State. Fankam is originally from Cameroon.
Overall Class Highlights
Coming into this year's signing period, Memphis had back-to-back signing classes ranked third in The American.
Madison Griggs
5-9 | Guard
Houston High School | Memphis, Tenn.
Griggs, a four-star recruit per the All-Star Girls Report, comes to Memphis from Houston High School where she averaged 12.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.1 steals last season as a junior. She is a three-year varsity starter at Houston who led her squad to a runner-up finish in the 2018 Tennessee State Championship.
While at Houston, Griggs has led her team to three district championships and two region championships. Her team is 38-0 in league play since Griggs arrived three years ago including a 33-0 mark at home overall.
Her play has led her to three all-district selections and two all-region picks. Griggs is also a member of the 1,000-point club at Houston.
Additional Highlights
Coach McFerrin on Griggs
Madison really got this class started by committing this summer and helping recruit the remainder of the class. She is known as one of the best pure shooters in the county and is a precision passer. She is a fierce competitor, defender and has been a winner at every level. Staying home and playing for Memphis was Madison's desire.
Lanetta Williams
6-3 | Forward
Arlington High School | Memphis, Tenn.
A four-star forward from Arlington High School, Williams comes to Memphis with her twin sister Lanyce. Williams, along with her twin, helped lead Arlington to three-straight district championships as well as a region championship last year.
Williams has earned many accolades for her play on the court, including all-region, all-district, and all-state nods.
As a junior, Williams averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds, eight blocks and recorded a career-high 18 blocks in a single game. For her career, those numbers are even better at 15 points, 12 rebounds, 10 blocks, and two assists.
Additional Highlights
Coach McFerrin on Lanetta Williams
Lanetta is a high profile player in the class of 2019. We identified her as a priority recruit when she was in the eighth grade, knowing that she had the chance to be special. She possesses a rare combination of size and guard skills that will allow her to be a matchup nightmare. She loves to play, compete and win. We are thrilled with her decision to be a hometown hero.
Lanyce Williams
6-1 | Forward
Arlington High School | Memphis, Tenn.
Lanyce Williams is a three-star forward from Arlington High School who comes to Memphis with her twin sister, Lanetta. In addition to her sister, Williams has helped lead Arlington to three-straight district championships as well as a region championship last year.
Missing last season due to injury, Williams averaged 10 points and seven rebounds for her high school squad. She has also earned an all-district nod while in high school.
In her career, she has averaged eight points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. During her high school career, Williams pulled down a single-game career-high of 15 rebounds.
Additional Highlights
Coach McFerrin on Lanyce Williams
We are happy to welcome another hometown product to the 2019 class. Lanyce is a high-energy player and communicator with a great work ethic. She has inside scoring ability and brings defensive tenacity to the program. Coming off a knee injury last year, we are excited to see her comeback and eager to continue her development here at Memphis.
Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu
6-4 | Forward
Walters State CC | Nkongsamba, Cameroon
A 6-4 forward originally from Nkongsamba, Cameroon, Fankam Mendjiadeu comes to Memphis from Walters State Community College where she is a four-star recruit and the 10th best JUCO player in the country. In just five games at Walters State, Fankam Mendjiadeu is averaging 13.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and two blocks per game.
Fankam Mendjiadeu was invited to the Cameroon National Team training camp and made it to the final round of cuts in 2017. During tryouts, she played with former Tiger great Ramses Lonlack-Nimpa. Last year as a freshman, Fankam Mendjiadeu averaged a double-double (15 points-12 rebounds) at the University of Yadunde in Cameroon.
Committing to the University of Memphis is a dream come true for Fankam Mendjiadeu as she has wanted to come to the United States to play basketball since she was a young child.
Additional Highlights
Coach McFerrin on Fankam Mendjiadeu
Dulcy is a 6-4 elite athlete that hails from Cameroon. After spending time with the Cameroon National Team, Dulcy will come to Memphis after one year of development at Walters State. Players with Dulcy's size, rebounding tenacity, soft hands and mobility are extremely coveted. Dulcy's best basketball is ahead of her as her work ethic is never in doubt.
Aerial Wilson
5-10 | Point Guard
The RISE Centre | Dundas, Ontario, Canada
Wilson, a 5-10 point guard from Ontario, Canada, comes to Memphis with an extensive amount of international experience and success.
In 2017, Wilson was the starting point guard for the Canadian U16 National Team that won the silver medal at the FIBA America Championship.
Last year, she averaged 15 points with six assists, five rebounds, and four steals per game at TRC Academy. During her three years, Wilson has surpassed 1,000 points and 500 assists.
Wilson also has success in the classroom. A 4.0 grade-point average student, Wilson attends The RISE Centre, which is a school for athletes that help prepare them for success on and off the court.
Additional Highlights
Coach McFerrin on Wilson
Aerial is the anchor to this class after her commitment this week. She is a true point guard with a cerebral approach to the game. Her ability to shoot the three and create for others, along with her natural leadership qualities, will allow her to impact our program immediately. She brings extensive international experience, having been the starting point guard for the Canadian U15 and U16 National Teams the past two summers.
The Tigers landed hometown talent in twins Lanetta and Lanyce Williams and Madison Griggs, while Aerial Wilson joins Memphis from Canada and Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu transfers from Walters State. Fankam is originally from Cameroon.
Overall Class Highlights
- No. 32 ranked recruiting class per the Blue Star Report
- First-ranked recruiting class in the American Athletic Conference
- Four four star recruits
- One three star recruits
- Highest-ever recruiting class under the direction of head coach Melissa McFerrin
Coming into this year's signing period, Memphis had back-to-back signing classes ranked third in The American.
Madison Griggs
5-9 | Guard
Houston High School | Memphis, Tenn.
Join us in welcoming our first signee of the day, @_maddieg23_, from Houston High School! Welcome to Memphis, Madison!
— Memphis W Basketball (@MemphisWBB) November 14, 2018
🔹⭐️⭐️⭐️ recruit per ESPN
🔹Ranked 27th best guard and 71st overall in her class#GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/RDX6PjTOPH
Griggs, a four-star recruit per the All-Star Girls Report, comes to Memphis from Houston High School where she averaged 12.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.1 steals last season as a junior. She is a three-year varsity starter at Houston who led her squad to a runner-up finish in the 2018 Tennessee State Championship.
While at Houston, Griggs has led her team to three district championships and two region championships. Her team is 38-0 in league play since Griggs arrived three years ago including a 33-0 mark at home overall.
Her play has led her to three all-district selections and two all-region picks. Griggs is also a member of the 1,000-point club at Houston.
Additional Highlights
- Has scored a career-high 27 points on six three-pointers
- Four-star recruit by All-Star Girls Report
- Ranked 27th best guard and 71st overall in her class
- Considered one of the top pure shooters in the country
- Member of the Leadership Academy
Coach McFerrin on Griggs
Madison really got this class started by committing this summer and helping recruit the remainder of the class. She is known as one of the best pure shooters in the county and is a precision passer. She is a fierce competitor, defender and has been a winner at every level. Staying home and playing for Memphis was Madison's desire.
Lanetta Williams
6-3 | Forward
Arlington High School | Memphis, Tenn.
Join us in welcoming Lanetta Williams to the Tiger family! #TigerFam
— Memphis W Basketball (@MemphisWBB) November 16, 2018
🔹⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ recruit per ESPN
🔹Ranked 32nd in her class
🔹Ninth best post in the 2019 class per ESPN#GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/9vaj2cGesE
A four-star forward from Arlington High School, Williams comes to Memphis with her twin sister Lanyce. Williams, along with her twin, helped lead Arlington to three-straight district championships as well as a region championship last year.
Williams has earned many accolades for her play on the court, including all-region, all-district, and all-state nods.
As a junior, Williams averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds, eight blocks and recorded a career-high 18 blocks in a single game. For her career, those numbers are even better at 15 points, 12 rebounds, 10 blocks, and two assists.
Additional Highlights
- Four-star recruit by ESPN
- Ranked 32nd in the class by the Preferred Athlete Scouting Service
- Ranked the ninth best post in the 2019 class by ESPN
- Has competed in the state quarterfinals and led Cordova Middle School to an undefeated state championship
- 2018 and 2019 Tennessee Player of the Year Nominee
Coach McFerrin on Lanetta Williams
Lanetta is a high profile player in the class of 2019. We identified her as a priority recruit when she was in the eighth grade, knowing that she had the chance to be special. She possesses a rare combination of size and guard skills that will allow her to be a matchup nightmare. She loves to play, compete and win. We are thrilled with her decision to be a hometown hero.
Lanyce Williams
6-1 | Forward
Arlington High School | Memphis, Tenn.
We are thrilled to announce the signing of Lanyce Williams! Welcome to the Tiger family, Lanyce!
— Memphis W Basketball (@MemphisWBB) November 16, 2018
🔹⭐️⭐️⭐️ recruit per ESPN
🔹Helped lead her team to the state quarterfinals
🔹4.0 grade-point average#GoTigersGo #TigerFam pic.twitter.com/8XMd3MU4F9
Lanyce Williams is a three-star forward from Arlington High School who comes to Memphis with her twin sister, Lanetta. In addition to her sister, Williams has helped lead Arlington to three-straight district championships as well as a region championship last year.
Missing last season due to injury, Williams averaged 10 points and seven rebounds for her high school squad. She has also earned an all-district nod while in high school.
In her career, she has averaged eight points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. During her high school career, Williams pulled down a single-game career-high of 15 rebounds.
Additional Highlights
- Three-star recruit per ESPN
- Has competed in the state quarterfinals and led Cordova Middle School to an undefeated state championship
- Has a 4.0 grade-point average
Coach McFerrin on Lanyce Williams
We are happy to welcome another hometown product to the 2019 class. Lanyce is a high-energy player and communicator with a great work ethic. She has inside scoring ability and brings defensive tenacity to the program. Coming off a knee injury last year, we are excited to see her comeback and eager to continue her development here at Memphis.
Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu
6-4 | Forward
Walters State CC | Nkongsamba, Cameroon
Our next signee for this class is Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu from Walters State CC! Dulcy is originally from Cameroon 🇨🇲 and was invited to the Cameroon National Team training camp in 2017!
— Memphis W Basketball (@MemphisWBB) November 14, 2018
She has also played with former Memphis great, Ramses Lonlack-Nimpa!#GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/178aE0VRHC
A 6-4 forward originally from Nkongsamba, Cameroon, Fankam Mendjiadeu comes to Memphis from Walters State Community College where she is a four-star recruit and the 10th best JUCO player in the country. In just five games at Walters State, Fankam Mendjiadeu is averaging 13.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and two blocks per game.
Fankam Mendjiadeu was invited to the Cameroon National Team training camp and made it to the final round of cuts in 2017. During tryouts, she played with former Tiger great Ramses Lonlack-Nimpa. Last year as a freshman, Fankam Mendjiadeu averaged a double-double (15 points-12 rebounds) at the University of Yadunde in Cameroon.
Committing to the University of Memphis is a dream come true for Fankam Mendjiadeu as she has wanted to come to the United States to play basketball since she was a young child.
Additional Highlights
- Ranked No. 3 overall in Cameroon coming out of high school
- Four-star recruit per All-Star Girls Report
- Ranked 10th best JUCO player
Coach McFerrin on Fankam Mendjiadeu
Dulcy is a 6-4 elite athlete that hails from Cameroon. After spending time with the Cameroon National Team, Dulcy will come to Memphis after one year of development at Walters State. Players with Dulcy's size, rebounding tenacity, soft hands and mobility are extremely coveted. Dulcy's best basketball is ahead of her as her work ethic is never in doubt.
Aerial Wilson
5-10 | Point Guard
The RISE Centre | Dundas, Ontario, Canada
Join us in welcoming our next signee, @Aerial_Wilson! Aerial joins the #TigerFam from Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦. Welcome to the 9⃣0⃣1⃣, Aerial!
— Memphis W Basketball (@MemphisWBB) November 14, 2018
🔹⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ recruit per Crown Basketball
🔹Starting PG for the Canadian U16 and U17 National Team#GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/uL8LaF1uRC
Wilson, a 5-10 point guard from Ontario, Canada, comes to Memphis with an extensive amount of international experience and success.
In 2017, Wilson was the starting point guard for the Canadian U16 National Team that won the silver medal at the FIBA America Championship.
Last year, she averaged 15 points with six assists, five rebounds, and four steals per game at TRC Academy. During her three years, Wilson has surpassed 1,000 points and 500 assists.
Wilson also has success in the classroom. A 4.0 grade-point average student, Wilson attends The RISE Centre, which is a school for athletes that help prepare them for success on and off the court.
Additional Highlights
- Third-ranked Canadian player in the 2019 class per Crown Report Canada
- Top-ranked point guard in Canada per Crown Basketball
- Ranked in the top 100 per All-Star Girls Report
- Four-star recruit per Crown Basketball
- TRC Academy Leadership Award
- Earned a silver medal at the 2017 Canada Games
Coach McFerrin on Wilson
Aerial is the anchor to this class after her commitment this week. She is a true point guard with a cerebral approach to the game. Her ability to shoot the three and create for others, along with her natural leadership qualities, will allow her to impact our program immediately. She brings extensive international experience, having been the starting point guard for the Canadian U15 and U16 National Teams the past two summers.
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