CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State women's basketball program has added four players to the lineup for the 2014-15 season, as Ashanti Abshaw (Cleveland Heights/Cleveland Heights, Ohio), Shadae Bosley (Madison Central/Richmond, Ky.), Allyssa Copley (Holly/Holly, Mich.) and Kayla Patterson (Fairborn/Fairborn, Ohio) have signed National Letters of Intent to attend Cleveland State University beginning next fall.
"With the signing of these four young women we have met our goal of adding size and depth to our team for the upcoming seasons," head coach Kate Peterson Abiad said.
Abshaw, a 5-foot-9 forward, is set to join the Vikings after earning Associated Press All-District Second Team honors as a junior and All-District Special Mention honors as a sophomore. Abshaw also garnered All-Ohio Honorable Mention accolades last season after averaging 16.0 points per game at Cleveland Heights High School.
"Ashanti was our first commitment from the 2014 class and we are absolutely thrilled to add a local star to our program," Peterson Abiad said. "She is an elite player who brings a tenacity to both the offensive and defensive end of the court. As a Cleveland native, Ashanti will be a tremendous representative of her home city."
Bosley is a 6-foot-1 forward who led Madison Central High School to a district and regional championship last season with a 29-5 record. Following her junior campaign, she garnered All-District and All-Region honors after averaging 7.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. Bosley posted 85 blocked shots as a junior, earning Defensive MVP accolades along with Most Improved Player honors.
"I am excited about Shadae's future, she brings us athleticism and length," Peterson Abiad said. "I love how she runs the floor and that she has played a significant role on a great team. She will definitely be a great addition for us."
Copley, a 6-foot-1 forward, enters her senior season as a two-time Tri County Player of the Year and a two-time First Team All-League honoree. As a junior, she averaged 13.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 blocks per game, leading Holly High School to an 18-4 record and a district semifinal appearance. Copley also earned a spot on the Oakland County All-Defensive Team last season, and earned team MVP honors for the second straight year.
Copley also excels in the classroom, earning the Holly High School Scholar Athlete Award as a freshman, sophomore and junior. She has also been named the Student-Athlete of the Week in each of her first three high school campaigns.
"With Allyssa, we were intrigued by her ability to extend the defense with her three-point shot, as well as take it to the basket on the drive," Peterson Abiad said. "She had a great summer and we were fortunate to receive her verbal commitment on her visit to Cleveland State."
Patterson, a 6-foot-2 center, will join the Vikings after an excellent prep career. As a junior at Fairborn High School, Patterson averaged 9.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, leading her team to a conference and sectional championship with a 22-3 record.
"Kayla is a physical and aggressive player who will fill a major need for our program, bringing height and versatility," Peterson Abiad said. "She should transition to the college game nicely because of her strength and size. We are definitely looking forward to having her on our team."
"Shadae, Allyssa, and Kayla all have experience playing a post position, as well as having our preferred versatility to step away from the basket. They have the skill set necessary to play a 5-out motion offense and will fit nicely into our offensive system," Peterson Abiad said.