Here is the first recruiting class for Bradley's new women's basketball coach
PEORIA — The Bradley women's basketball program has a new coach and a new recruiting class.
Kate Popovec was introduced last month as the 10th women's basketball coach for Bradley, coming to Peoria from her role as associate head coach and recruiting director at Northwestern.
Here's a look at the six-player class that includes two freshmen, two transfers from junior college and two from NCAA Division-I schools.
“We have added a versatile group of athletes to our roster, particularly addressing a strong need to add depth at our guard position," Popovec said. "Each provides a unique skill set that will help us as we introduce our new matchup defense and look to play up-tempo offensively."
Kate Popovec: Why Bradley was the perfect fit for its newest women's basketball coach
Ruba Abo Hashesh
What to know: The 5-foot-6 junior guard from Karlstad, Sweden, is a transfer from Iowa Western, where she averaged 7.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game last season, while helping the Reivers to a 22-8 record.
Says Popovec: "In her, we found a true floor general who plays with poise and has the ability to knock down shots."
Reagan Barkema
What to know: The 5-foot-11 freshman guard from Story City, Iowa, signed in November. The four-time all-stater averaged 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.8 steals and led Roland-Story to its third state finals appearance in four years.
Says Popovec: “Reagan is a tough-nosed, skilled and highly-competitive athlete. She has great size at the guard sport, a high IQ and an ability to knock down the perimeter shot. Additionally, I love her ability to rebound and push in transition."
Men's recruiting class: Bradley's basketball recruiting class is filled. Here's how the new players fit in
Megan Barton
What to know: The 5-foot-9 junior guard is a transfer from Rend Lake Community College, where she averaged 14.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists. She is a native of Carbondale and played in high school at Carterville.
Says Popovec: “Megan brings length and athleticism to our guard spot. She’s a scoring-minded perimeter threat who can play multiple positions on both ends of the court. I think she will particularly excel as we look to play more in transition.
Lucia Llaveria
What to know: The freshman guard from Sant Vivenç de Montalt, Spain, is a scoring point guard that played for Sagrat Cor Diputacio, a charter school in Barcelona.
Says Popovec: "She will add much-needed depth at our point guard position and will stretch the floor with the ability to shoot, attack the rim and distribute."
Alex Rouse
What to know: The 5-foot-8 sophomore guard from Little Rock, Arkansas, is a transfer from Old Dominion. She was a three-sport star in high school at Joe T. Robinson, setting the school record with more than 2,000 career points. She also won a state title as a soccer player. Her father is former Arkansas and Chicago Bears running back James Rouse.
Says Popovec: "An athletic scoring punch who will defend at a high level and create opportunities for her and her teammates with her ability to attack the rim."
Celia Satter
What to know: The 6-foot Richmond transfer has two years of eligibility as she pursues a master's degree. Beset by injury in her time at Richmond, the all-state forward played in high school at Wilmette Loyola, where she hit 135 3-pointer and scored more than 800 points.
Says Popovec: “Her length and ability to stretch the floor will help us on the court and her experiences as a player in a high-level collegiate program at Richmond will benefit our locker room."
Wes Huett is Journal Star sports editor. Email him at whuett@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @WesHuett.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Bradley basketball: Six members of 2022-23 recruiting class
