Diandra Tchatchouang Joins Women's Basketball Team
9/30/2009 8:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Sept. 30, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - French standout Diandra Tchatchouang was recently added to the 2009-10 University of Maryland women's basketball roster, adding a fourth well-regarded player to Maryland head coach Brenda Frese's most recent recruiting class.
A 6-foot-3-inch forward from La Courneuve, France, Tchatchouang was one of the top European prospects and gives the Terrapins an additional multi-faceted presence in the frontcourt.
"We're ecstatic, because Diandra is going to help our team in many ways. She's very smart, very hard working, very motivated and very self-sufficient," Frese said. "She is a pleasure to coach. As a basketball player, she has a chance to be good. She can do a lot of different things and play various positions. As with any freshman, there's going to be an adjustment period and we're going to help her get through that."
Tchatchouang led her native France to the 2007 U16 European championship, earning most valuable player honors in the process. Tchatchouang had a solid eight-game showing in the 2008 U18 European Championship, as well, averaging better than 15 points and five rebounds per game on 58.2 percent shooting with two blocks and a steal per game on average. Tchatchouang scored 27 points in her final game against the Czech Republic.
Tchatchouang joins forward Tianna Hawkins (Clinton, Md./Riverdale Baptist), guard Dara Taylor (Wilmington, Del./Caravel Academy) and center Essence Townsend (Paterson, N.J./Paterson Catholic) in the 2008-09 recruiting class. Illinois-transfer Lori Bjork and redshirt freshman Jackie Nared also join the fold this season.
The NCAA Clearinghouse officially approved Tchatchouang's eligibility recently, opening the door for her to join the program in time for the upcoming season.
- TERPS -
