FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State head women's basketball coach Jaime White wasted little time when the early signing period opened on Wednesday, landing four prospects to help fill voids after the Bulldogs' current crop of fifth-year seniors graduate next spring. Filling four different positions, the group sees two players come to California from the Pacific Northwest while the other two join the list of internationals the 'Dogs have found recently.
"This class is the most versatile and talented class we have signed in the last nine years, White said. "Bulldog fans are going to love what this group brings both on and off the court."
Malaya LeSueur
Guard – 5-foot-9
Portland, Ore./Benson Polytechnic HS
LeSueur was a Second Team All-State and First Team All-PIL selection in 2022 after averaging 16 points, five rebounds and three assists per game. The sophomore helped guide Benson Polytechnic to both a league championship and a fourth-place finish in the state tournament.
Coach White on LeSueur... "Malaya is a combo guard with a high motor and exceptional athleticism. She is a difference maker on the defensive end of the floor and her dynamic and explosive offensive skill set fits perfectly with our style of play. She has limitless potential and we are so excited that she is a Bulldog.
Kylee Fox
Forward – 5-foot-11
Richland, Wash./Richland HS
A two-time conference Player of the Year and two-time All-Defensive Team selection, Fox led Richland High School to its first appearance at state in 17 years last winter. Then a junior, she was tabbed to the 4A All-State Second Team last season after averaging 21 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game. With a year remaining, she is already Richland's all-time leading scorer with 1,097 points.
Coach White on Fox... "Kylee is long, athletic, skilled and is a great competitor. She can play multiple positions and has a fierce scoring mentality. Her ability to stretch the defense and finish at three levels will be something that Bulldog fans will love to watch for years to come. We cannot wait to welcome Kylee to Fresno."
Taija Sta. Maria
Point Guard – 5-foot-6
Vaughan, Ontario, Canada/Crestwood Preparatory College
Sta. Maria has been a member of Canada's youth system, earning a silver medal at the U16 FIBA Americas tournament in 2021 and a fourth-place finish at the U17 FIBA World Cup in 2022. This past year, she has been named an OSBA Second Team All-Star and Biosteel All-Canadian. With Crestwood, the point guard averaged 22.2 points, 4.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.
Coach White on Sta. Maria... "Taija is a high IQ true point guard with great composure and court presence. She's a competitor that can score at three levels, create for others, and has invaluable international experience. We are thrilled she is a Bulldog."
Maria Konstantinidou
Forward – 6-foot-2
Stuttgart, Germany/Otto-Hahn Gymnasium
This past year, Konstantinidou was a member of German championship side USC Freiburg after playing in the U18 playoffs in both 2019 and 2020 with BSG Ludwigsburg. The 2020 season saw her record the highest rebounding average for U18 in Germany. A member of the German youth system, Konstantinidou averaged 6.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game this past summer at the U20 European Championships alongside current Bulldog Franka Wittenberg.
Coach White on Konstantinidou... "Maria is an extremely versatile forward with a great skill set and physical presence. Her high-level playing experience internationally has helped her play with a maturity and feel beyond her years. Maria will have an immediate impact on our front court and we cannot wait for her to arrive.