(Photo Credit: Steve Rodriguez/Sun Devil Athletics)
With the graduation of guards Adrianne Thomas and All Pac-12 selection Deja Mann, Arizona State head coach Charli Turner Thorne had the offseason task of replenishing backcourt depth.
Today, Turner Thorne announced the signings of Peace Amukamara and Tiare Kanoa to national letter of intents.
“(Amukamara and Kanoa) should not only solidify our backcourt for the upcoming season but will also bring the kind of high character that has been a mainstay of our program,” Turner Thorne said. “We are excited to have both players join our Sun Devil family.”
Amukamara is a transfer recruit from Mesa Community College and is the sister of current ASU guard Promise Amukamara. The 5-foot-7 guard is coming off a successful season in which she garnered NJCAA Division II All-American and Player of the Year honors and lead her team to their first ever national championship in school history.
Amukamara posted her first career triple-double in the national semifinals by racking up 23 points, 10 assists and a career-high 13 rebounds. She followed that performance by putting up a career-high 28 points and 11 rebounds in the championship game.
“Peace truly took her game to another level her sophomore season at Mesa Community College,” said Turner Thorne. “She was able to combine consistent scoring and playmaking with tenacious defense to become one of the best junior college players in the country.”
As decorated as Amukamara’s junior college career was, Kanoa’s prep accomplishments may surpass those of her fellow recruit. Having won state titles in both California and Hawaii, the 5-foot-7 guard is no stranger to success.
As a sophomore at La Jolla Country Day, Kanoa was recognized with all-league second-team honors as her team went on to win the California Division IV state title.
Her junior year, playing at perennial Hawaii powerhouse Kamehameha High School, she led the team to a perfect 21-0 record on their way to a Division I state title. She was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament and helped her team come back from a 20-point margin by posting 16 points to win the title.
Her senior season was cut short to just eight games after a knee injury ended her campaign. Kanoa was averaging 14.4 points, four assists, four rebounds and two steals up to that point.
“Tiare Kanoa is a tough, smart, talented guard who is a proven scorer and creator,” Turner Thorne said. “One thing that absolutely stood out when we started recruiting Tia was that she has always been a part of winning teams.”
Kanoa and Amukamara join Ayanna Edwards and Nicole Iademarco, both of whom signed last November.
You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com
