The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team announced the signings of junior transfers
Autumn Greene and
Lindsay Sommers Monday. Both players come from the competitive Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges.
Greene, a 5'10” power forward, was a team captain and conference all-star last season at Centralia College in Centralia, Wash. She averaged nine points and seven rebounds per game and led the Trailblazers to a 26-4 regular season record. The team won the West Region of the NWAACC and finished fourth at conference championships.
Greene was a multisport athlete in high school, splitting time between the court and the football field. After giving up her role as wide receiver her sophomore year, Greene excelled on the court and was named team captain and an all-star in her senior season.
“Autumn is versatile and can play on the perimeter as well as inside,” head coach Cody Burgess said. “She plays with a purpose and loves to crash the glass for rebounds.”
Greene becomes the first recruit to sign under Burgess, who is entering her first year at the helm of the program this season.
Sommers is a 6'3” center-forward coming from Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, Ore. She was named most improved by her squad in 2009 as a sophomore and selected to the conference All-Academic team.
In her sophomore season, she averaged seven points and eight rebounds per game. Her finest performance came against Clackamas Community College, where she posted 18 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks.
Sommers, too, was a multisport athlete coming through high school. She played basketball and volleyball through all four years in Eagle River, Alaska. She was recruited and signed by former Alaska head coach Dave Thompson.
“Speaking with her JC coach, she is a hard worker and very coachable,” Burgess said. “She provides height around the basket, which will help us defensively.”
When their former teams matched up this past season, Greene's Centralia came out on top 67-47. She finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. Sommers did not play.
“Both transfers will be a benefit to the program since they have two years of college basketball under their belt and have demonstrated excellent leadership qualities on their previous teams,” Burgess said.
The Nanooks open the season at home against New Mexico Highlands Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Patty Center.
