MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Mike Carey added what could be a late gem to his 2019 recruiting class on Tuesday by signing 6-foot-2 freshman forward Esmery Martinez.
At the same time, the school announced that freshman guard Leilani Correa will not be enrolling at West Virginia.
Martinez is from Hato Mayor Del Ray in the Dominican Republic, but played high school basketball for Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tenn.
She averaged 18.3 points, 14.3 rebounds and 5.9 blocks per game during her career with the Hawks and helped the program finish as the runner-up at the 2018 Geico High School Nationals Tournament.
Martinez, ranked a three-star prospect by espnW and as the No. 25 overall prospect in the 2019 recruiting class by All-Star Girls Report, had originally signed to play at Mississippi State. She was released from her letter-of-intent in June and re-opened her recruiting.
“We are thrilled that Esmery has decided to join our program,” Carey said. “Her unique skill set allows her to score the basketball in a number of ways. Offensively she is skilled and can stretch the defense with her ability to shoot the basketball. Her length, size and foot speed will really help us on the defensive end of the floor. She plays the game with extreme passion and plays very hard, and I love that about her. She will have a great career here.”
Correa, from Manchester, N.J., was a four-star prospect ranked No. 83 overall by espnW.
The Mountaineers also signed five-star freshman guard Kirsten Deans for 2019, as well as junior-college guards Dekeriya Patterson and Arleighshya McElroy.
West Virginia also has Kysre Gondrezick, Madisen Smith, Lucky Rudd and Tynice Martin returning, although Martin is suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.
Martinez will be eligible immediately and she has represented the Dominion Republic as a member of the junior national team, where she averaged 8.8 points and 5.3 rebounds at the 2018 FIBA Caribbean Women’s Championship.
Her addition gives the Mountaineers 13 players on scholarship — the NCAA allows a max of 15 in women’s basketball — and the roster also includes former University High standout Zoe Murphy, who is a walk-on.
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