Versyp Inks Elite Pair for 2019 Recruiting Class
The Boilermakers added a pair of highly-touted recruits to the Purdue family
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue women’s basketball head coach Sharon Versyp added two more names to the Boilermaker family Wednesday, signing Bria Harmon and Rickie Woltman to national letters of intent to join the team next fall. Both standouts have earned top-100 recruiting grades from multiple services and have a wealth of championship caliber experience in their prep careers.
“It’s always exciting to add two top-flight individuals to your program, and above all else Bria and Rickie are outstanding people,” said Versyp. “The best part is that they’re outstanding people who also happen to be incredible basketball players. Our program really got better today.”
Harmon continues the recent legacy of talent to travel from the greater Atlanta area to West Lafayette as the 5-foot-7 point guard hails from Collins Hill High School, located northeast of the city center. A jet-quick floor general, Harmon has the ability to get all the way to the rim and score, in addition to a sly, pull-up jumper that extends in range out behind the 3-point arc. She can create for herself and others and is highly competitive, always working to orchestrate team success. Her quick bursts of speed and athleticism are game-changers and will immediately make their mark on the Purdue roster.
“We’re thrilled to bring in a player of Bria’s caliber, especially at the point guard position,” said Versyp. “She has an outstanding feel for the game and she’ll be ready to come in and effect the game on both ends of the floor from the get-go.”
HIGH SCHOOL
- Four-year varsity letterwinner at Collins Hill High School
- Has averaged 11 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals per game in her career
- Led her team to the Georgia High School 7A State Quarterfinals as a junior, and to the state semifinals as a sophomore
- Guided her team to a 24-4 record and their first state championship in eight seasons as a freshman
- Helped her squad to the 2018 Gwinnett Country Regional Championship
- Won three major tournament championships in her prep career: 2017 Progressive Lighting Holiday Classic, 2015 Woodland Classic Christmas Tournament and the 2015 Valdosta High School Christmas Tournament
- Member of the Technology Student Association
- Two-time honor roll student
- Coached by her father, Brian Harmon
NOTEWORTHY
- Ranked as the No. 42 overall recruit in the country by PASS Preferred Athlete Scouting and No. 83 by Blue Star Recruiting
- Tabbed a four-star player by Prospect Nation and the No. 25 point guard in the country
- Rated a three-star prospect by ESPN Hoopgurlz and received a 90 grade
- Named to the 2018-19 Preseason All-State team
- Two-time Gwinnett County Super Six selection (2017, 2018)
- Two-time Atlanta Journal Constitution All-State honoree (2017, 2018), and Georgia Athletic Coaches Association All-State award winner (2017, 2018)
- Earned 2018 All-Metro honors from the Atlanta Tip-Off Club
PERSONAL
- Full name: Bria Anaís Harmon
- Intended Major: Health Sciences
- Birthday: Nov. 4, 2000
- City Born: Lawrencville, Georgia
- Parents: Brian and Michelle Harmon
Woltman comes to Purdue as the highest-ever rated player in Versyp’s tenure, edging out Ae’Rianna Harris for the top marks in the national recruiting services. A 6-foot-3 post player from Incarnate Word Academy in St. Louis, Woltman can do a little bit of everything, providing a physical presence near the basket, but also able to step away and face up with a soft touch. Her face-up game in the high post makes her extremely dangerous as she can knock down the jumper with too much space and can go by a defender in either direction with the dribble and finish strong at the rim. Woltman buries defenders with her back to the basket and features a variety of post moves that she will finish with contact, rounding out an incredibly complete offensive game. She’s set to be the next great shot blocker for the Boilermakers and cleans the glass with reckless abandon on both ends of the floor. She’ll make an immediate impact in the Big Ten Conference next season.
“Rickie is an amazing talent, but an even better human being,” said Versyp. “Her passion for the game is evident in how she plays, and her work ethic and dedication to basketball shows strong resolve.”
HIGH SCHOOL
- Three-year varsity letterwinner and starter at Incarnate Word Academy
- Has 918 points and 600 rebounds entering her final high school season
- Led her team to back-to-back Missouri High School State Championships in 2017 and 2018, and a fourth-place state championship finish in 2016
- Guided her team to a No. 16 national ranking via the USA Today Super 25
- Two-time honor roll honoree at Incarnate Word
- Coached by Dan Rolfes
NOTEWORTHY
- Named the No. 24 overall recruit by the Collegiate Girls Report
- Tabbed the No. 25 overall player, a five-star recruit and the No. 4 forward in the country at a 97 rating
- Other recruiting rankings include No. 31 from Blue Star Recruiting, No. 57 from Prospect Nation and No. 60 from PASS Preferred Athlete Scouting
PERSONAL
- Full name: Rickie Marie Woltman
- Intended Major: Krannert School of Management
- Birthday: Oct. 9, 2000
- City Born: Chesterfield, Missouri
- Parents: Rick and Kathy Woltman
- Siblings: Sisters: Whitney, Sydney and Jackie Lancaster