Buffaloes New Quartet Already Beginning To Gel

BOULDER – Four standout prep stars – Monica Burich, Makenzie Ellis, Kennedy Leonard and Alexis Robinson have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education and play basketball at the University of Colorado in 2015-16, head coach Linda Lappe announced Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA early signing period.

"This is a very dynamic, highly recruited class,” Lappe said. “When people see this class, they will see four individuals that have high character, are good students, competitors, winners, and are very skilled basketball players who also increase our overall athleticism and quickness.”  

Early returns have this class ranked as the 23rd best in the nation according to ProspectNation.com. The quartet spans four states, showing once again Colorado’s national reach in recruiting. The Buffaloes pulled two players from Big 12 country, one from the Southeast and another from a Big Ten stronghold. Additionally, the class nicely fills anticipated needs – two quick, dynamic guards and a pair of forwards who can play both inside and out.

The Class of 2015 has already developed some early chemistry.

But what may stand out the most is the chemistry that has already started to develop between the four members of this class. Leonard and Ellis, despite living in different states, play for the same Cy Fair club program out of Dallas. All four played with teams at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.

“The first time I came to Colorado we had a chance to hang out and then after that we had tournaments together where we got to chance to visit, watch each other’s teams, and became really close,” said Robinson, a member of the Kentucky Premier program.

The class has also taken advantage of technology and social media to keep up; routinely chatting via group text.

“We all have the same goal, which is to win a championship,” Leonard said. “We’re all committed and get a long really well; we have the same desire and dreams.”

Kennedy Leonard led the state of Texas in assists at 8.4 per game in 2013-14.

Leonard is a 5-8 guard from Southlake, Texas, who has led Carroll High School to three straight district and regional championships, compiling a record of 83-19 along the way. Leonard averaged 8.4 assists per game in 2013-14, leading Texas and ranking ninth in the country. She was the 2014 District MVP, 2013 District Offensive MVP and the 2012 Newcomer of the Year. Leonard has averaged 12 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds and 3.5 steals over her first three years.

“We are so thrilled to have Kennedy on board,” Lappe said. “She was the first commitment of this Top 20 caliber class and really helped spearhead this class.  Kennedy is a smooth, quick and fast point guard who sees the floor as good as anybody in the nation.  Her ability to get the ball to the right player at the right time is unmatched and her unselfishness makes her very fun to play with and to watch.  She also has a nice 3-point shot and can get to the rim” 

Leonard is a three-time Dallas Morning News All-Area first team performer and also a member of the TABC and Morning News All-State teams. Recently, she was named to the Morning News’ Preseason All-Area Team for the upcoming season. She is ranked as the 40th best player in the nation by ProspectNation.com.

“The coaching staff and everyone on the team showed they care for me more than just a basketball player but as a person too, and that really put me over the top,” Leonard said.  “...and Boulder, how can you say ‘no’ to wake up to a place like that every day.”

Monica Burich was a Minnesota Class AAAA All-State selection as a junior.

Burich, a 6-2 forward, is a strong three-sport athlete for Roseville (Minn.) High School in the Twin Cities area. She averaged 15.5 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks as a junior, helping Roseville to a 21-7 record.

Burich was first team Class AAAA All-State selection by the Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association. A two-time all-conference selection, Burich has led the Raiders in blocks and steals the last three years, and added rebounds and assists to that resume as a junior.

“Skilled, Versatile, Winner are three words that accurately describe Monica,” Lappe said. “She is a three sport athlete and has won at every level.  She is the type of player that others gravitate to because of her positive nature and uplifting spirit.  She has a very high basketball IQ and has excelled at playing all five positions on the floor at the highest level.  When Monica can solely focus on basketball, we feel the sky will be the limit.”

Burich just wrapped up an outstanding volleyball season. The St. Paul Pioneer Press Volleyball Player of the Year, Burich led the Raiders to a 26-6 record and fourth place finish at the Minnesota Class AAA State Tournament. She also competes in track and field.

“I loved the campus and it just had the right feel for me,” Burich said. “I didn’t have any particular criteria (for choosing a school) but Colorado feels like the right fit.

“I take pride in trying to shut down the other team’s best player; being aggressive in rebounding and creating plays. I have to work on my scoring mentality; sometimes I have the mentality of just getting other people open. But I’ll be working on that (mentality).”

Makenzie Ellis helped Tulsa's Booker T. Washington to the 2013 Oklahoma 6A crown.

Ellis, a 6-2 forward from Tulsa, Okla., averaged 12.2 points and 6.6 rebounds as a junior, guiding Booker T. Washington High School to a 22-5 record. She earned honorable mention to the Tulsa World’s All-State team – which spans all classifications – as the Hornets fell just one game short of the 2014 state tournament.

“Makenzie is a tough, hard-nosed player who will do whatever is asked of her on the floor,” Lappe said. “She is a good 3-point shooter but is also great around the basket.  She is an unselfish leader who has the ability to rally the troops and can play multiple positions on the floor.  She has a great attitude and we think of her as the glue that will really help bond this class with each other and with our team.

Ellis was the lone sophomore starter on Booker T. Washington’s 2013 Class 6A State Championship team. She earned All-State Tournament first team honors as well as regular season MVP awards for the Jenks Invitational, Lady Jag Classic and Super 5. She’s ranked as the 98th best player in the country by ESPN HoopGurlz, and 15th at her position.

“I really enjoyed the (Colorado team & staff) and they are all amazing people,” Ellis said. “It really feels like a family and they want to see you succeed. I knew that if I came here, that everyone would have my back and it feels like where I was meant to be.”

Robinson, a 5-10 guard from Ashland, Ky., has led Ashland Blazer High School to the last three Kentucky state tournaments, highlighted by a semifinals appearance in 2014. She is the only player in the state to be named MVP of her district tournament the past three years. Robinson is a two-time Area Player of the Year and a member of the Lexington Herald Leader All-State team.

A Kentucky Miss Basketball candidate, Alexis Robinson has led Ashland Blazer to the last three state tournaments.

“Alexis will be a great asset to our team and program,” Lappe said. “The intensity at which she plays is contagious.  She is a super quick and athletic combo guard who can really defend, has a tremendous mid-range game, and is a true triple threat player.  She is extremely skilled, a very hard worker, and one of the most competitive players I’ve ever recruited. "

Robinson is a candidate for Kentucky’s Miss Basketball Award this season. She enters her senior campaign already the Kittens’ all-time leader in steals with 242 and on pace to challenge team marks for points, rebounds, assists and blocks. Rated by ESPN HoopGurlz as the 91st best player in the nation, and 21st guard, Robinson’s career numbers are 1,384 points, 669 rebounds, 504 assists and 170 blocks.

“I fell in love with the environment,” Robinson said. “I like the coaches and we really connected well. I like coach Lappe’s style; the energy she brings to practice. She likes to get out there with the girls, sometimes doing drills along with them.”

A huge part of recruiting is finding the right players that fit with who you have on your current team but also fit together as a class,” Lappe said. “We couldn’t be happier with how well they complement each other and our team.  This class believes in Colorado and will help transform our program moving forward.  They have all played against the best players and teams in the nation and know what it takes to be successful."