Per GoBearcats:
University of Cincinnati women’s basketball coach Michelle Clark-Heard announced Wednesday the signing of Clarissa Craig and Braylyn Milton, who have inked national letters of intent to attend UC and play for the Bearcats
beginning with the 2021-22 campaign.
“I am excited to announce the addition of Braylyn and Clarissa to our Bearcats family,” Clark-Heard said. “Both bring versatility, athleticism, and size to our program.”
Craig, 6-foot-3 forward/center from Cincinnati, averaged 13.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks while shooting 54.9 percent from the floor last season at Roger Bacon High School. She helped the Spartans to a 20-8 overall mark a year ago, including a first-place finish in the Greater Catholic League and the team’s first regional championship game appearance since 2005.
Craig ranks as Ohio’s best center in the 2021 class by Ohio Girls Basketball Report while Collegiate Girls Basketball Report lists Craig as the 23rd-ranked center nationally. She also owns numerous accolades as a two-time First Team All-GCLC performer and a two-time Third Team All-Ohio Division II selection by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.
“Clarissa was one of the first players that I saw on my first recruiting trip as the head coach at UC and from that moment, I knew that I wanted to coach her,” Clark-Heard said. “She is a homegrown talent that has pride in our city, this University, and our women’s basketball program. We immediately connected and she has completely bought in to my vision for what this program is growing to become.
“I have really enjoyed watching Clarissa expand her game the last three years and I cannot wait to coach her. She is a true post player, who can also face up from the perimeter. Our Bearcat fans are going to love watching and cheering for another hometown product and I know that Clarissa is going to make them proud.”
Milton, a 6-foot guard from Charlotte, North Carolina, averaged 18.2 points, 3.9 assists and 3.4 steals as a junior at Independence High School, helping lead her team to a 21-8 overall mark. She has scored 1,286 career points entering her senior season in 2020-21.
Named one of the top prospects in North Carolina according to Phenom Hoop Report and one of the top three players in Charlotte, Milton’s play has resulted in several honors, including a three-time Southwestern 4A All-Conference and All-Tournament selection, three-time North Carolina All-District 9 honoree and a 2020 Charlotte Observer All-Defensive Team award winner.
“Braylyn adds length and a high basketball IQ to our guard position,” Clark-Heard said. “She has the ability to play multiple positions and is equally effective with the basketball in or out of her hands.
“Braylyn is able to score in multiple ways as well as create for her teammates. She fits in perfectly with our motion offense and up-tempo style of play. She brings an excitement level to the floor that I know that our Bearcats fans will love watching.”
