June 8, 2009

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - - The University of Memphis women's basketball team wrapped up its 2009-2010 roster with the addition of Southwest Tennessee Community College (SWTCC) and Melrose High School graduate Starkitsha Luellen it was announced by Melissa McFerrin, Monday.

"Starkitsha is the perfect addition to our basketball family for so many reasons," Tiger Head Coach Melissa McFerrin said. "She is an imposing interior presence that loves to play physical and rebound, but she also possesses the ability to pass and score from the perimeter. It is quite rare to find such a combination of power and versatility. She is also a great addition to our program as we continue to focus on keeping the best players in Memphis at home. Star's signing demonstrates our commitment to our Memphis-centric recruiting philosophy."

Luellen, a 6-0 forward/post, helped Southwest Tennessee to a combined 51-3 record in her two seasons there, averaging 13.7 points and 12.3 rebounds for the Lady Saluqis in her sophomore season. With 13 double-doubles in her final season at Southwest, Luellen led the conference in rebounding, ranking eighth in the nation in rebounding in Division I JUCO stats. She was also an honorable mention NJCAA All-American and was the Tennessee Junior College Athletic Association's West Division Co-Player of the Year. In her sophomore season, she helped Southwest to a 25-1 record and a national ranking as high as No. 4 en route a Western Division conference crown. SWTCC also won the conference crown in Luellen's freshman campaign, finishing with a 26-2 overall record.

A 2006 graduate of Melrose High School in Memphis, Luellen played under coaches Jammie Poole and Robert Newman, helping the Lady Golden Wildcats to a 20-11 record and a berth in the Region 8AAA tournament as a senior. She averaged 11.5 points per game in her final prep season, and also lettered in volleyball and track at Melrose. She will become the first Melrose graduate since Ashley Shields to sign with the University of Memphis and will be the first Southwest (formerly called Shelby State JC) player to join the Tiger roster since Charese Wren suited up for Memphis from 1992-1994.

The daughter of Alliece Luellen, Starkitsha will be eligible for the Tigers immediately this fall and will have two years of eligibility remaining. Luellen had originally signed an NLI with Arkansas prior to the 2008-09 season, but sat out the year and reopened her recruitment, giving her hometown Tigers a second look.

Luellen becomes the eighth signee for the Tigers and will be the 12th new player added to the roster since Melissa McFerrin was hired at Memphis in April of 2008. She joins early signees Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir (Springfield, Mass./New Leadership Charter School), Ashley Robinson (Millington, Tenn./Millington Central) and Nicole Dickson (Greeneville, Tenn./Greeneville HS) and late additions Jasmine Lee (Bessemer, Ala./Jess Lanier HS/Univ. of Georgia), Chatia Kelsey (Harvest, Ala./Sparkman HS), Taylor Mumphrey (Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill/Connors State JC) and Mary Jackson (Memphis, Tenn./Oakhaven HS/Univ. of Louisville).

University of Memphis 2008-09 Signees
Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, 5-4, Guard, Fr., Springfield, Mass./New Leadership Charter
Nicole Dickson, 6-0, Forward, Fr., Greeneville, Tenn./Greeneville HS
Mary Jackson, 5-10, Guard, So., Transfer, Memphis, Tenn./Oakhaven HS/University of Louisville *
Chatia Kelsey, 5-8, Guard, Fr., Harvest, Ala./Sparkman HS
Jasmine Lee, 6-2, Post, So., Transfer, Bessemer, Ala./Jess Lanier HS/University of Georgia *
Starkitsha Luellen, 6-0, Forward/Post., Jr., Transfer, Memphis, Tenn./Melrose HS/Southwest Tenn. CC
Taylor Mumphrey, 6-3, Post, Jr. Transfer, Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill/Connors State JC
Ashley Robinson, 6-0, Forward, Fr., Millington, Tenn./Millington Central

* Will have to sit out 2009-2010 per NCAA transfer rules.