ROCK HILL, SC—Winthrop women's basketball head coach Kevin Cook has announced the signing of highly recruited Arianne Whitaker, a 6-3 forward from Lakota West High School in West Chester, OH to a National Letter of Intent during the NCAA early signing period.
 
Whitaker, who will join Winthrop's program in 2015-16, is ranked the No. 19 power forward in ESPN's high school girls' basketball prospects for 2015.  She helped lead her 22-6 Lakota West team to the 2014 Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I regional finals before losing to the eventual state champions.
 
"Arianne is not only a great player, but she is also one of the finest young people you are ever going to meet," said Cook, who is beginning his third year at Winthrop's head coach after leading the Eagles to the WNIT and the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons.  "You can't just look at her stat lines because they don't begin to measure what she will bring to our program.  She really works at her game and wants to be good, and we are thrilled that she has chosen to continue her career at Winthrop."
 
As a junior, Whitaker was named first team all-conference and first team Journal News All Prep while leading the conference in rebounds (9.4) and blocks (2.5). She also ranked seventh in field goal percentage and tied or broke several school records, including: most blocked shots in a season (65), most blocked shots in a game (6-twice), most blocked shots per game (2.5), and most consecutive field goals made in a game (9). 

According to her high school coach, Andy Fishman, Whitaker is more than a shot blocker and rebounder, "She can score the ball in the pivot, face up for jump shots, and attack the basket off the bounce. Arianne has turned herself into a well-rounded, more complete player. It is very rewarding to coach her," he said.
 
Whitaker also had a strong AAU season this past summer, averaging 14.3 points and 11 rebounds per game for the Cincinnati Finest club team. 

Whitaker selected Winthrop after considering Marshall, Texas Tech, Minnesota, Wright State, Cleveland State, Highpoint, Appalachian State, Kent State, Miami and Eastern Michigan. 
 
She made her decision after talking with her club team coach Carlton Gray and Fishman.  Coach Gray suggested that she ask herself "If she weren't playing basketball which school would she want to attend".  Winthrop was her response.  Coach Fishman recommended she go to the school that loved her most.  "Of course, that was Winthrop," she says.  "From the time I walked onto the campus, Winthrop showed me wonderful hospitality. Coach Cook and his staff showed me continued love and support this past year.  I feel like part of the family, already.  Coach Cook is a well renowned and a wise legend.  He shows great character and is a thoughtful, caring man.  I can't wait to be coached by him next year."