Women's Basketball Announces Four Signees
By CSU Sports Information
COLUMBUS - Columbus State University women's basketball head coach Matt Houser is pleased to announce the signings of four future Lady Cougars.
Amber Abusbeih, Lola Garcia, Madi Phillips, and Olonna Rawls all inked scholarships to join the Lady Cougars for the 2020-2021 season.
"I couldn't be any more excited about this 2020 class," commented CSU head coach Matt Houser. "We are adding great size, length, basket IQ, bucket getters and overall winners."
"I am proud of my coaching staff and the relentless work it took to get these amazing young women to buy into what we are doing here at Columbus State. This 2020 class is full of individuals that want to be the best and bring it every day, and I couldn't ask for anything more."
Amber Abusbeih - Guard - Staten Island, N.Y. - Moore Catholic High School
A talented guard from New York, Abusbieh has racked up the awards at Moore Catholic High School. In addition to being named MVP at Moore in 2018 and 2019, Abusbieh was selected to the 2019 NYGCHSAA All-League team. Last season, she averaged 10.2 points and 5.1 assists per game.
Earlier this year, Abusbieh was named the Jim Couch Uptown Challenge High School MVP in the female division.
Houser on Abusbeih: "I tell her she is my Allen Iverson from New York. She is so quick. She controls the floor as a point guard extremely well and loves to push the ball. More importantly, Amber loves playing full court defense. She will have everyone guessing what she will do next with the ball, and I can't wait to see it."
Lola Garcia - Guard - Almería, Spain - Perfumerias Avenida (Club)
Garcia has been playing at the top level of the Spanish Liga Dia for Perfumerias Avenida since 2018. A 3-point shooting threat, Garcia has shot above 50 percent from beyond the arc in both seasons, including at a 62 percent clip over the 2017-18 season. Overall last year, she averaged 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
This season, Garcia has filled the stat sheet averaging over nine points and five rebounds a night in addition to 1.8 assists.
She has competed in the U18 Spanish Championship twice while Perfumerias Avenida captured the U18 Castilla & Leon League titles in 2018.
Houser on Garcia: "Lola is one of the best shooting guards in her class from Spain. She is tall for a guard, has amazing basketball I.Q., and is an amazing shooter. She loves playing in transition and loves being the best on the court on defense."
Madi Phillips - Guard - Flowery Branch, Ga. - Cherokee Bluff High School
A two-sport standout at Cherokee Bluff High School, Phillips is also a dual-threat player on the court. In her junior season, she averaged a double-double while landing on the All-Region team. In addition to scoring over 300 points on the season, she led the team in rebounding grabbing over 10 a game.
Last year, she set the Cherokee Bluff program record for rebounds in a game with 22. She also posted a 30-point performance to tie the record for most points in a single game.
Phillips shines in the classroom as well being named as a scholar-athlete.
Houser on Phillips: "Madi brings us the stretch post I have been looking for. Tall, long, can run the court like a guard, can jump extremely well, and is smart on and off the floor. All these qualities make her a terror on the court for opponents to gameplan for. She is putting up double-doubles a game right now and that will continue here at Columbus State.
Olonna Rawls - Guard - Pembroke, Ga. – Bryan County High School
Rawls has been the driving force behind Bryan County High School's success of the past three seasons. Bryan County has reached the Georgia High School Association's state tournament in each season that Rawls has been on the floor, including two Sweet 16 appearances and a Elite Eight finish in 2017.
Last season, Rawls earned a spot on the All-State first team after averaging over 26 points per game. She was also selected to participate in the GACA North/South All-Star game.
In her career, she has scored over 1,600 points while leading Bryan County to 75 victories.
Houser on Rawls: "I couldn't be any more excited to talk about Olonna. She is one of the best scorers in the state of Georgia for a reason. She is a pure winner! She loves this game, and wants to be the best every moment when she is on the court, offensively and defensively. Her work ethic and drive are what will help fuel this program going forward. We can't wait to get this young woman here on campus.