April 27, 2005

LOUDONVILLE, NY - Siena College women's basketball head coach Gina Castelli has received a signed National Letter of Intent from Bola Akinkutotu, a 5-10 wing guard from Shea High School in Pawtucket, R.I.

Akinkuotu (Pronounced: Bowl-ah ah-KEEN-kah-two), a four time Division 2-North All Star, and two time All-Area Pick and All-State Selection, averaged 28.2 points, 10 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 3.0 assists while leading Shea to a 16-3 overall record and a 10-2 division mark, which earned the Raiders the Division II State Runner Up title.

"We are very happy to add Bola to our program. She is a special player, one that can score in many different ways. She will add depth to our perimeter play as well as compliment our offensive system. Along with this, Bola's quickness and basketball knowledge will be very beneficial on the defensive end", said Castelli.

Bola, recognized as one of the greatest players at Shea, finishes her career as the school's all-time leading scorer with 2,301 points. She was named to the 2004 All-State 2nd team, 2004 All-Class First Team, 2004 All-Division First Team, 2003and 2002 All-Area Second Team and the 2003 and 2002 All-Conference team.

The prolific scorer is the fourth Rhode Island native associated with the program in recent years. She joins current Saint Naimah Abdullah (Providence, RI), alumnae Sasha Baker ('01) (Pawtucket, RI) and Meghan McGonagle ('02) (Warwick, RI) and current assistant coach Angel Elderkin (Southern Maine '99) (East Providence, RI).

Akinkuotu is the third member of Castelli's recruiting class this season. She joins newcomers Shondaya Burrell a 5-8 guard (Colonie, NY/ The Patterson School (Prep School) in North Carolina and Jessica Edmonds a 6-2 post player (Schenectady, NY/Guilderland, High School) who will also begin their careers during the 2005-06 season.

The Saints will only loose one player, Alexis Darling (Corning, NY) to graduation.