Top Three-Point Threat Lauren Schwartz Chooses Washington
SEATTLE – The Washington women's basketball program added another key transfer to their roster who is also a familiar face for new head coach Tina Langley. Forward Lauren Schwartz, who was the second-leading scorer for Rice and its top threat from long-distance during the Owl's WNIT Championship run, announced she will enroll at Washington and join the Huskies for the 2021-22 season.
"We are so excited to welcome Lauren and her incredible family to Washington," said Langley. "The values and character that Lauren possess make her such a great fit for our program, and will propel her to high levels of success both on and off the court. Lauren's toughness, skill level and passion for the game are tremendous. She's a fierce competitor with a true love for the game and her commitment to grow and develop is elite. She has such a bright future ahead of her, and we can't wait to see all that she will accomplish both during her time at Washington and beyond."
Schwartz was part of two regular season Conference USA championship runs, a 2020 C-USA Tournament championship and helped Rice to a 44-12 record during her two years. She is excited to bring her talents to Montlake and help Langley build something special at Washington.
"I am blessed and grateful that Coach Langley and the staff at the University of Washington gave me this opportunity," Schwartz said. "I've heard so many great things and I can't wait to be a part of it."
Hailing from Union, Ky., Schwartz started in all 56 games over the last two seasons for Rice, averaging 11.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 30 minutes per contest. The 5-foot-11 forward is adept from both inside and outside on the offensive end. She is a career 47.8% shooter from the floor, 39.8% from 3-point range and 84.2% from the free-throw line.
As a sophomore in 2020-21, Schwartz was the Owls' second-leading scorer (13.1 ppg) and hit 42 of 100 (.420) 3-point field goal attempts to lead the team in percentage. Overall, Schwartz shot .506 (131-259) from the field.
She reached double-figure scoring in 19 games and scored 20 points four times, including three times during the Owls' WNIT championship run. Schwartz averaged a team-high 20.0 points in five WNIT games and shot a sizzling .633 (38-60) from the field and .533 (8-15) from distance. She tied for a team-high 19 points in the Owls' 71-58 victory over Ole Miss in the championship game.
Schwartz had an outstanding freshman campaign in 2019-20, capping the season by being named to the five-member Conference USA All-Freshman Team and becoming just the fourth player in school history to earn such honors. She started all 29 games she played in, averaging 9.6 points per game and ranking fourth in C-USA in three-point percentage (.367) and fifth in free-throw percentage (.840). She was a three-time C-USA Freshman of the Week honoree.
Schwartz graduated from Larry A. Ryle High School in Union, Ky., where she played under head coach Katie Haitz. She helped lead the Raiders to their first regional championship in school history and won a school record 29 games in 2018. She was the MVP of the 9th Region and was named to the 33rd District All-Tournament Team, while also earning NKY Association All-Conference Division I recognition.