May 15, 2003

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Junior-college post Christelle N'Garsanet (Abidjan, Ivory Coast / Illinois Central College) has signed a National Letter of Intent to enroll at the University of Missouri and play basketball, Head Coach Cindy Stein announced today.

N'Garsanet played under legendary coach Lorene Ramsey, who recently retired as the winningest women's basketball coach (887-197) at any level. Ramsey also coached Missouri Head Coach Cindy Stein at ICC before Stein concluded a stellar career at the University of Illinois.

Playing as a freshman reserve behind a junior-college all-American, the 6-foot-3 N'Garsanet saw action in 35 of 36 games for the 2002-03 NJCAA Division II National Champions. She averaged 4.8 points per game, and was second on the squad with 6.2 rebounds a contest. She added 58 blocks (second on the team) and 35 steals for the Lady Cougars, who finished their 33-3 campaign with a 27-game winning streak.

"We are extremely excited and pleased to have Christelle join the Mizzou Basketball program," Stein said. "Her abilities will add another dimension to our inside game while increasing our team's overall versatility and depth."

Christelle will have three years of eligibility to play at Mizzou. She joins Blair Hardiek, a 5-foot-7 guard from Effingham (Ill.) High School, EeTisha Riddle, a 6-foot-3 forward from O'Fallon (Ill.) Township High School, and Carlynn Savant, a 6-foot-1 forward from Trinity High School in Euless, Texas, who all signed with Missouri in the fall.