The UC Santa Barbara women’s basketball team has added two more players to an already stellar signing class, the team announced on Friday.
Joining the Gauchos for the 2011-12 season is former Oregon State starter, Kirsten Tilleman who has two years of eligibility remaining and forward Jackie Luna-Castro from Boise High School. The duo complements Madeline Campbell and Keiana Vines that UCSB already signed to National Letters of Intent last fall.
“We are ecstatic to welcome both Kirsten and Jackie into our Gaucho family,” said UCSB assistant coach Selena Ho. “Both are great additions to Madeline and Keiana.”
Tilleman, who hails from Bozeman, Montana, will enroll at UCSB as a graduate student after finishing her underfrad requirements at Oregon State. As a starting forward for the Beavers in her sophomore season she was the team’s leading rebounder with 7.5 rebounds per game and the 6-foot-1 forward was the team’s third-leading scorer at an 8.1 clip per game. Tilleman is expected to play both inside and outside for UCSB next season.
“We’re so thrilled to finally be able to officially welcome Kirsten to the Gaucho family,” UCSB assistant coach Kelly Barsky said. “Kirsten is a tremendous talent, she is physical and aggressive and has a nose for the basketball. She will have an immediate impact on the program. At 6-foot-1, she’s a versatile post that has the skill set to be an offensive threat both on the perimeter as well as with her back to the basket. As a starter at Oregon State she will bring a great deal of experience and leadership from playing in the Pac-10. ”
Luna-Castro was Idaho’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Boise High when she averaged 18.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-2 post was also a First Team All-State pick and her conference’s Player of the Year.
“Jackie is a versatile and dynamic basketball player,” Ho said. “In addition to the contributions she will make inside and in the post, Jackie possesses some very unique perimeter skills. At 6-foot-2 she has the ability to shoot the three and put the ball on the floor. Her work ethic and drive are uncanny and we look forward to her putting on the blue and gold uniform next fall.”
