Dec. 2, 2008

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason head women's basketball Jeri Porter is pleased to announce that four student-athletes will be joining the Patriots for the 2009-10 season, as they have signed their National Letters of Intent to enroll at the University. The class, which was ranked 96th in the nation by the All Star Girls Report, is Porter's first at the helm of the program.

The four student-athletes are Shavonne Duckett, a 5'10" guard from White Plains, Md./Lackey HS, Amber Easter, a 5'11" guard/forward from Hampton, Va./Bethel HS, Janaa Pickard, a 6'1" forward from Philadelphia, Pa./Central HS, and Rahneeka Saunders, a 5'7" guard from Upper Marlboro, Md/Riverdale Baptist HS.

"We are extremely excited about our first recruiting class here at Mason," said Porter. "Each of these four young ladies possess a great deal of athleticism and talent, and will help us to lay a foundation for the success that is soon to come in this program."

Duckett, who plays for Coach Torez Mitchell, has averaged 13.5 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks and 3 assists per game per game since joining the Chargers midway through last season after transferring from Paul VI High School in Fairfax. An excellent defender and shooter, Duckett is one of the top players in the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference, earning first-team All-SMAC, all-state and all-county honors last season.

"Shavonne is a CAA-type guard and she brings the size and athleticism you need to be successful in this league," Porter said. "Her ability to shoot the long-range jumper, as well as attack the rim off the dribble will enable her to make an immediate impact in our system."

Easter will join the Patriots after four successful seasons at Bethel HS, working with Coach Michael Hagans. The Co-Peninsula District Player of the Year a season ago, Easter averaged 18.5 points per game for the Bruins as they reached the Eastern Region tournament. She can play a number of positions as she is long, athletic and a good ball handler.

"Amber's ability to score the basketball and create for the people around her is what made her co-player of the year in one of the toughest districts in the state," said Porter. "We love her length and believe that her versatility will make her a key component for us right away."

Pickard is a four-year starter for Coach Greco and Central High School, where she has led the team in blocks and rebounds over the last two years. She is a multi-talented player and a tireless worker who has 20-22 foot range on her jumpshot, while possessing outstanding defensive skills. Maintaining a 4.0 grade point average at one of the top academic schools in Philadelphia, she was involved with a Lancer team that won a record 101 consecutive public league games and two public league championships. Dan Olson's Collegiate Basketball Report ranks Pickard as the 46th-best power forward nationally. She has averaged 16 points, nine rebounds and eight blocks per game.

"Janaa possesses the athleticism, the skill set, and the big game experience to make an immediate impact in our program," Porter explained. "Coming from one of the most successful high school programs in the Philadelphia area, she knows what it takes to win and has the game to back it up. She will provide a solid post presence on both ends of the floor."

Saunders, who started at point guard last season for Coach Gina Miller and the Riverdale Baptist Lady Crusaders, averaged 5.9 points, 3.4 assists, 3.3 steals and 2.5 rebounds last year to help lead the Crusaders to a National Association of Christian Athletes championship title, and was named to the All-Tournament team. At her former school, National Christian Academy, Saunders was named captain of the team. She led the team with 10 assists per game. Saunders has also been successful at the AAU level, leading the 2008 Boo Williams Elite 16U team to a second-place finish and the 2006 Lady Majic 15U squad to a fifth-place finish in the national tournament. Saunders is ranked as the 22nd-best point guard prospect by Olson.

"Rahneeka is a big time point guard," Porter said. "Her up-tempo style is a perfect fit for our system. She will do a tremendous job making everyone around her better and lay the groundwork for us to be the open court, up-tempo team that we envision being. She will make an even bigger impact on the defensive side of the ball; her aggressive mindset will really mesh with our theme of creating offense with our defense.