Oct. 8, 2007

FAIRBANKS, AK - Alaska women's basketball head coach Lynne Andrew announced the signing of Jessie Craig of Fairbanks, Alaska on Monday. A transfer from Purdue University, she will enroll at the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a sophomore this fall and have three years of NCAA eligibility remaining.

"Jessie actually came to us and asked for an opportunity to try out," said Andrew. "It was a chance for me to watch her with my team. She was very confident, very competitive, worked hard and really fit in well with the rest of the team. That's what we are looking for, and I felt like she was someone that could really help us this year."

Though she may be new to the team, Craig already has a number of connections to the Blue and Gold. She has been regular teammates with Joscelyn Shumate, Kari Reabold and Sheena Brown since as far back as seventh grade, including a stint together on Team Pasta with current West Valley coach Steve Caciari. Her sister, Rachel, also spent one season as a walk-on for Andrew, joining the Nanooks for the 2004-05 campaign.

Craig will be familiar with the GNAC opposition this season as well: her sister Heather is a freshman for the Northwest Nazarene women's team.

"They are definitely a basketball family," said Andrew. "They are very competitive, and when they want an opportunity, they go and seek it out."

Prior to her return to Fairbanks, Craig spent two years studying at Purdue University, though she did not play any basketball for the Boilermakers. Despite a brief absence from organized play, however, Andrew expects Craig to contribute for the Nanooks this season.

"She is a 5'11" post-type player, someone who is strong inside and aggressive around the basket," she said. "I think she is going to fit right into how we are trying to mold these young post players, and will grow over the next few years in our program."

Craig received her high school education through the IDEA home school program. She was awarded an IDEA scholarship in 2005, and was a member of the National Honor Society as well as Who's Who Among American High School students for her work in the classroom.

"I am really excited to be here, and looking forward to the upcoming season," said Craig. "I have always wanted to play college basketball, but it's a plus to be able to play in front of my friends and family here in Fairbanks. I am excited to play for both Coach Andrew and Coach Gonsalves, and look forward to coming together as a team and reaching all the goals that they set for us this season."

Craig becomes the Nanooks' seventh and final signing this close season, bringing the roster total to 15 players. She joins guards Nada Erhardt, (Surrey, British Columbia) Caitlin Hamsley (North Pole, AK), Anna Simmons (Simi Valley, CA) and Nicole DeRosier (Puyallup, WA) as well as center Nicole Bozek (Mukilteo, WA) and forward Amonda Francis (Coquitlam, British Columbia) as the new additions for the 2007-08 Alaska squad.

All of Alaska's new signings will get their first runout on Saturday, Oct. 13, when the women and men's basketball teams host their Blue/Gold exhibition, to be held at the conclusion of the UAF/Western Washington volleyball game. The event, co-hosted by Andrew and men's basketball coach Clemon Johnson, will include an inter-squad scrimmage as well as some interactive competitions for prizes with members of the audience. Admission to the event will be free, but participants are encouraged to come out and support the Nanooks' volleyball team beforehand. Tickets for the volleyball match are $6 for adults, $3 for students.