Cyclones Sign Irish Guard for 2008-09

AMES, Iowa ? Claire Rockall, a 5-10 guard from Oranmore, Ireland, will join the Iowa State women's basketball team for the 2008-09 season, ISU head coach Bill Fennelly announced Monday. Rockall is scheduled to arrive in Iowa on Wednesday and will start classes when school begins on Aug. 25.

“Claire is an outstanding athlete that will give us depth on the perimeter,” Fennelly said. “Her international experience will help her adjust to the college game. It has been great having 'Aus' (Alison Lacey) here both on and off the court. Now we will hopefully have some Irish luck.”

Rockall has played on the Irish National U18 team in each of the last two years. She just finished playing in the U18 European Championship for women in Division B in Macedonia, where Ireland finished 11th last week.

She was named the MVP of the 2007 National U19 ?A' Schools Cup, after accumulating 25 points, 10 rebounds, 12 steals and eight assists in a quarterfinal win for her Calasanctius team over Colaiste Iosagain.

In the semifinals of the Schools Cup, Rockall was also named MVP with 27 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and four steals in a close win over St. Vincents, Cork. In the finals, Rockall led her high school team to a win over Pres Thurles Basketball, scoring 39 of her team's 78 points to win another MVP honor.

The guard helped her U18 Maree club team advance to the semifinals of the National U18 Cup. She competed as the starting point guard of the Irish team in the U18 European Championship in 2007 and the U16 European Championship in 2005.

She was named the 2006 Galway Sports Star of the Year and was named the Ireland Basketball U16 Player of the Year in 2005.

Rockall is also an accomplished track and field athlete, competing in the 1,500 meters, the hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put and the pentathlon.

Players Mentioned

Alison Lacey

Alison Lacey

Claire Rockall

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics