University of Memphis Athletics
Merriweather Announces First Signing Class at Memphis
Nov 10, 2021 | Women's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Head women's basketball coach Katrina Merriweather has announced her first signing class with Memphis in Serena Lee and Destiny Thomas for the 2022-23 season.
Lee, a 6-0 guard and fellow Memphian, commits to the Tigers with an impressive resume. Per the 2020 Tennessee rankings, Lee was ranked 3rd in Prep Girl's Hoops, 4th in Max Preps and 4th in Sports Life, was named First-Team All-Metro by The Commercial Appeal and was named the Memphis Metro City MVP for the 2020 season. She was also ranked 2nd in the preseason rankings in Tennessee for Sports Life United.
"It was fitting for our first commitment to be a Memphian. Serena is a great talent and is excited to stay at home, and we are thrilled to have her," said Merriweather. "Her fun-loving personality will fit perfectly, and we anticipate her making an immediate impact on the floor with her silky-smooth game. She will be a crowd favorite and she will have the city behind her!"
Lee helped lead Whitehaven High School all the way to the Tennessee Class AAA State Tournament in 2020 after Sectional and Regional Championship wins last season. During the team's state run, Lee averaged 18 points, seven rebounds and two steals per game.
"Having the opportunity to play for Coach Trina and staff will not only help me reach my full potential as a player, but I know they'll guide me to continue becoming a better person," said Lee. "Having the opportunity to play in my hometown with Memphis across my chest is a dream come true."
Lee chose Memphis over Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Louisville, Charlotte, Southern Mississippi, Little Rock, Tennessee State, Austin Peay, Alabama A&M, Louisiana-Monroe and Jackson State.
Thomas, a 6-4 post player out of Jonesboro, Ark., comes to Memphis from Jonesboro High School where she was helped lead the Cardinals to an Arkansas 5A State Championship in 2021 and a State Runner-Up in the 2018 season. Thomas is ranked 4th in the Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association, 5th in Arkansas Prep Girl's Hoops and was named All-Conference and All-State last season. She was also in the Arkansas Basketball Ranking Fab 40.
"After watching the success of Coach Trina and her staff at Wright State and the post play against Arkansas in the NCAA tournament, I knew Memphis would have a style of play that fit me," said Thomas. "I also knew I wanted to be a part of the New Era of Memphis Women's Basketball, so the choice was a no-brainer."
Through the 2021 season, Thomas has averaged 12 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and two assists per game during her three years at Jonesboro High School.
"We didn't have to go far to find the perfect fit with the graduation of Tyler [Frierson] and Alana [Davis]," said Merriweather. "Destiny will fill the void with her size and strength while adding depth to our post spot. She is mentally and physically tough and has the desire to defend and rebound at a high level."
Thomas also had offers from North Texas, Southern Mississippi, Arkansas State, Eastern Kentucky, Southeast Missouri State, Louisiana-Monroe and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
"She is a winner who has only scratched the surface. We are looking forward to having her dominant presence in our program," said Merriweather.
"Both of these young women are the type of people, students and basketball players that exemplify what it means to be a Tiger. We are proud to have them join our family," said Merriweather.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Lee, a 6-0 guard and fellow Memphian, commits to the Tigers with an impressive resume. Per the 2020 Tennessee rankings, Lee was ranked 3rd in Prep Girl's Hoops, 4th in Max Preps and 4th in Sports Life, was named First-Team All-Metro by The Commercial Appeal and was named the Memphis Metro City MVP for the 2020 season. She was also ranked 2nd in the preseason rankings in Tennessee for Sports Life United.
"It was fitting for our first commitment to be a Memphian. Serena is a great talent and is excited to stay at home, and we are thrilled to have her," said Merriweather. "Her fun-loving personality will fit perfectly, and we anticipate her making an immediate impact on the floor with her silky-smooth game. She will be a crowd favorite and she will have the city behind her!"
Lee helped lead Whitehaven High School all the way to the Tennessee Class AAA State Tournament in 2020 after Sectional and Regional Championship wins last season. During the team's state run, Lee averaged 18 points, seven rebounds and two steals per game.
"Having the opportunity to play for Coach Trina and staff will not only help me reach my full potential as a player, but I know they'll guide me to continue becoming a better person," said Lee. "Having the opportunity to play in my hometown with Memphis across my chest is a dream come true."
Lee chose Memphis over Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Louisville, Charlotte, Southern Mississippi, Little Rock, Tennessee State, Austin Peay, Alabama A&M, Louisiana-Monroe and Jackson State.
Thomas, a 6-4 post player out of Jonesboro, Ark., comes to Memphis from Jonesboro High School where she was helped lead the Cardinals to an Arkansas 5A State Championship in 2021 and a State Runner-Up in the 2018 season. Thomas is ranked 4th in the Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association, 5th in Arkansas Prep Girl's Hoops and was named All-Conference and All-State last season. She was also in the Arkansas Basketball Ranking Fab 40.
"After watching the success of Coach Trina and her staff at Wright State and the post play against Arkansas in the NCAA tournament, I knew Memphis would have a style of play that fit me," said Thomas. "I also knew I wanted to be a part of the New Era of Memphis Women's Basketball, so the choice was a no-brainer."
Through the 2021 season, Thomas has averaged 12 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and two assists per game during her three years at Jonesboro High School.
"We didn't have to go far to find the perfect fit with the graduation of Tyler [Frierson] and Alana [Davis]," said Merriweather. "Destiny will fill the void with her size and strength while adding depth to our post spot. She is mentally and physically tough and has the desire to defend and rebound at a high level."
Thomas also had offers from North Texas, Southern Mississippi, Arkansas State, Eastern Kentucky, Southeast Missouri State, Louisiana-Monroe and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
"She is a winner who has only scratched the surface. We are looking forward to having her dominant presence in our program," said Merriweather.
"Both of these young women are the type of people, students and basketball players that exemplify what it means to be a Tiger. We are proud to have them join our family," said Merriweather.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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