FORT SMITH, Ark. – Even though her team is just two games into the regular season, first-year UAFS women’s basketball coach Tari Cummings is already laying the foundation for next year’s recruiting class.
Cummings announced on Wednesday the signing of three prep standouts and one NCAA Division I transfer to NCAA Division II letters of intent.
The class includes Idalis “Flaka” Ortiz, a 5-foot-11 post from Tulsa, Okla.; Hannah Boyett, a 5-8 shooting guard from Muldrow, Okla.; Tiffany Gramling, a 5-10 forward from Paragould, Ark.; and Anna Bonham, a 5-9 shooting guard from Skiatook, Okla., who originally signed with NCAA Division I Northwestern State (La.).
“I am super excited about this 2019 class,” Cummings said. “These young ladies are not only gifted, tough and hard-working, but more importantly, they are great kids with high character and self- motivation for achieving academic success. These are all characteristics that I want in building the culture for our program.”
Ortiz is a senior at Tulsa’s Union High School.
“Flaka is a tough, physical post player that can score on the block and doesn’t back down from challenges of bigger, taller opponents,” Cummings said. “I love her passion for the game and desire to get better. I look forward to coaching and mentoring her over the next four years!”
Boyett is a senior at Muldrow High School. She averaged 12 points, 4 assists and 5 rebounds per game as a junior, shot 40 percent from 3-point range and shot 89 percent from the free-throw line.
“I am so excited to have Hannah join our family,” Cummings said. “She is a very tough player with a high basketball IQ and great feel for the game. Hannah has a great skill set with the ability to shoot the ball, her passing ability showcases her court vision, and her work ethic completes her game.”
Gramling is a senior at Greene County Tech High School. She was named to the Class 5A All-State Tournament Team as a junior.
“Tiffany is a tough player that brings versatility to the team, and her ability to play inside and outside makes her a definite threat and mismatch for opponents,” Cummings said. “We are very fortunate that she chose UAFS to continue her career. I can’t wait for her to come in and make an impact.”
Bonham played for Skiatook High School before signing with Northwestern State. Currently a freshman at Northwestern State, she will transfer at semester.
“Anna is a D-I transfer from Northwestern State University. She is a competitive, hard- nosed player that can knock down the three from deep as well as defend,” Cummings said. “I am ecstatic that Anna chose to be a part of our family and can’t wait to have her join our program at semester.”