The rumors began to surface last this spring that Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis had committed to play college basketball at UConn. At the time they proved to be just rumors.
Mosqueda-Lewis, a 6-foot junior wing from Anaheim, Calif., told the Connecticut Post in June that she was going to take her time during the recruiting process and would not make a decision until next year. All of that changed during her unofficial visit to UConn this weekend when Mosqueda-Lewis made an oral commitment to play for the Huskies, according to her Tennessee Flight Silver AAU coach Tom Insell.
“She decided she just didn’t want to go through (the process),’’ Insell said Sunday night. “She wants to be a kid, wants to go through next summer left alone and not have to worry about it. She’s the best player in the 2011 class hands down.’’
Mosqueda-Lewis, who told the Huskies’ coaching staff Saturday prior to participating in a Laser Tag event, becomes the first player from the Class of 2011 to commit to UConn. She chose UConn over California, Stanford and Kentucky.
Mosqueda-Lewis, who could not be reached for comment, was one of seven players to visit the campus this weekend. She was joined by seniors Stefanie Dolson, a 6-foot-5 center from Port Jervis, N.Y., Lauren Engeln, a 5-11 guard from Laguna Hills, Calif., Michala Johnson, a 6-3 forward from Lombard, Ill., and Samarie Walker, a 6-1 swingman from Dayton, Ohio, who have also ready made an oral commitment to play for UConn. Unsigned seniors Bria Hartley, a 5-10 point guard from North Babylon, N.Y., and Chiney Ogwumike, a 6-3 post player from Cypress, Texas, were also on hand.
“I know when I (committed) I thought I was going to wait too,’’ Dolson said. “But then you just know. I felt bad making them wait so I wanted to tell them. She got excited and wanted to do it. More power to her.’’
Mosqueda-Lewis averaged approximately 22 points, six rebounds and 3.4 assists last season to lead Mater Dei High to a 32-1 record. She was named a Parade Magazine first team All-American and the Gatorade California State Player of the Year.
Mosqueda-Lewis also averaged 14.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 19.2 minutes to lead the U.S. to a 5-0 record and the gold medal at the U-16 FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City, Mexico in August.
“She’s the real deal,’’ Insell said. “Kaleena Lewis is probably the only kid that I’ve ever coached, that I’ve ever seen that when she shoots the ball you think it’s going in. She shoots with that type of confidence. From 35- to 40-feet in you have to be on her. She’s the best 3-player that we’ve ever had in our program and we’ve had some great ones. And she’s one of the top three players that I’ve ever seen … Maya Moore, of course, and (Diana) Taurasi. She’s on the level of those kids. Now will she take it to that level? Geno (Auriemma’s) the one that puts them there.’’
Rich
