May 31, 2007

FAIRBANKS, AK - Alaska women's basketball head coach Lynne Andrew announced the signing of Anna Simmons of Simi Valley, California to a National Letter of Intent Wednesday. She will enroll at the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a freshman in the fall and have four years of NCAA eligibility remaining.

"I'm excited to be in the team's family environment," said Simmons. "I was drawn to the team; they are a bunch of really cool girls. I'm looking forward to having fun and getting the job done." "I also thought Alaska was beautiful. I knew it was the experience I was looking for, to be able to experience more of the world."

Simmons, a 5-foot-4 point guard, was a standout player at Chaminade College Preparatory High School. A four-year member of the varsity squad and a starter for two of those years, she amassed numerous awards playing for the Eagles. She was recognized by her team as the Most Defensive player in 2006 and the Most Valuable Player in 2007 in addition to being lauded as a first-team all-league selection in the Mission League her junior and senior seasons.

"Signing Anna helps fill a need we have at the point guard position," said Andrew. "We were looking for someone with speed, who could distribute the ball and we found that in her."

Some of her best individual performances include being named to the Moorpark High School Tip-off All-Tournament team as a junior and leading the Mission league in overall three-point field goals made (54) and assists (142) this past season. She is second amongst Chaminade's career leaders in assists.

"She is a very unselfish player," Andrew said. "She has a `team first' mentality and understands that it takes more than a couple of players to win a basketball game."

Her high school career was highlighted on January 20, 2007 while playing against Alemany in a conference contest. Simmons scored half the Eagles points to set her career-high 26 points in a 52-40 victory. She also led the game with five assists.

"Anna's biggest asset is that she sees the potential in our program and wants to play a significant role in helping us achieve our team goals," Andrew said. "Losing is not an option in her mind."

A hard worker away from the hardwood and in the classroom, Simmons earned scholar athlete honors all four years with the Eagles.

Simmons is the fourth recruit to sign with the Nanooks for the 2007-08 season. She joins centers Nicole Bozek (Mukilteo, WA) and Amonda Francis (Coquitlam, British Columbia), and shooting guard Nicole DeRosier (Puyallup, WA).