TUCSON - Arizona women's basketball inked one of the best signing classes in program history on Wednesday, signing Breya Cunningham, Montaya Dew and Jada Williams.
All three signees are rated five stars by ESPN HoopGurlz. Dew is the eighth-ranked player in the class of 2023 and Cunningham checks in as the No. 14 player in the class. Williams rounds things out as the 21st-ranked player. ESPN ranks Arizona's as the No. 1 recruiting class in 2023.
Each signee comes from a top high school program and has competed at the highest level. Williams and Cunningham have additionally each represented Team USA, winning gold medals at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup and 2021 FIBA Americas U16 Championship.
"Today is such an exciting day for our program!" said head coach Adia Barnes. "I am thrilled to officially welcome Breya, Montaya and Jada. Not only are they extremely talented basketball players, but they are wonderful people. Arizona is now a place where we attract the nation's top talent. They all came to Arizona to win a National Championship. They make our program better. I can't wait to coach them!"
Dew joins the Cats from Las Vegas, Nev., where she went to Centennial High School. The 6-2 forward won the 5A State Championship in Nevada and was named to the Las Vegas Review Journal Super Seven. She was additionally her team Most Valuable Player (MVP).
"From the moment I stepped on campus and met with all of the coaches, I knew I was at home," said Dew.
"I have loved Montaya from day one," said head coach Adia Barnes. "She is a very special player. Montaya's versatility sets her apart from most of the top players in the country. She is long and athletic, and she can score in different ways. Taya is a selfless team player and makes people around her better. She is going to be a great college player. I want to thank her mom, Rhiannon, for trusting and always believing in my vision for Montaya. I promised her mom that we will take care of her. So I will!"
Cunningham, a native of Chula Vista, Calif., was a first team All-Conference, All-City and All-State honoree in each year of high school at La Jolla Country Day School. She was named her team's Freshman of the Year after her first season and additionally garnered MVP honors. In that freshman season, she averaged 17.3 points per game and 12 rebounds per game. She totaled over 1,000 points as a freshman and grabbed 800 boards.
"I chose to continue my basketball career at Arizona for a few reasons," said Cunningham. "Many don't know this about me, but I was born in Tucson while my mom was in the NROTC at the University of Arizona. My family has been fans of Arizona for as long as I can remember. One of my first college offers was from Arizona, and Coach Adia has been supportive since eighth grade. I love the support that the community gives to the women's basketball program, and that played a huge part in my decision. I'm very excited to play with one of my best friends and favorite point guard so I know I'll have support on and off the court. I have a lot of support from family and close friends that live in Tucson, so it's definitely a home away from home."
"Breya is a dominant post player that I have recruited since the eighth grade," said Barnes. "From the moment that I saw her I knew I wanted to coach her! Breya, Chris, Kareen and I knew we wanted to keep it in the family. She has the ability to score in the paint, and she can step outside and make shots. This makes her hard to defend! Breya is also an elite rebounder and will really fill up the stat sheet in this area. She is a force to be reckoned with. I have been counting down the days until I can coach her."
Williams, a 5-6 point guard, joins the Wildcats from La Jolla Country Day School in San Diego, Calif. She has been team captain for all four years of high school and was named (MVP) or Co-MVP each season as well. She has been named to the All-Conference, All-District and All-State teams for three years. The Kansas City, Mo., native represented the United States and won gold medals at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup and the 2021 FIBA Americas U16 Championship. She was additionally named a member of the 2021 FIBA Americans U16 Championship All-Star Five.
"I chose Arizona because as a passionate player it's important to go to the school where they match your passion," said Williams. "The coaching staff is the best in the nation and is going to help me excel on and off the court. Tucson stands behind their women's basketball team and gives unlimited support to the program. Most importantly, I feel it's home away from home and being able to play with some of my best friends is an opportunity not everybody gets to have. Winning a national championship with people that have been in your corner from day one will be special!"
"Jada is a born leader. She has passion, grit and toughness," Barnes said. "She has the unique ability of bringing people together on and off the basketball court. Jada is a hard worker and a dynamic play maker. She can score the basketball at all three levels and will thrive in our up-tempo style of play. Jada has played on the biggest stage and she will bring excitement to Tucson. I want to give a thank-you to her mom, Jill, for trusting me to coach Jada!"
The future is bright for Arizona women's basketball.
