CLINTON, Iowa - The Ashford University women's basketball program dove into the junior college talent pool for its latest signing, gaining the recent commitment of Joliet J.C. transfer Lauren Strother of Maywood, Ill.
Strother joins Kirkwood Community College transfer Passion McClain of Madison, Wis., as junior college transfers who will continue their playing careers at Ashford next season.
"We are extremely excited to have Lauren joining our Ashford family," said AU Head Coach Amy Eagan. "Lauren will bring us another much needed presence in the post and she has the ability to score, rebound and alter shots.She has great athleticism with a huge upside to her and I look forward to coaching Lauren for the rest of her college career."
Prior to attending Joliet Junior College, Strother spent her prep career at Proviso West High School in Hillside, Ill. Coached by Beverly Robertson during her four-year reign as a Panther, Strother was named the team's Most Valuable Player every year and was named to at least one All-Tournament team each season as well.
As a senior, Strother earned a West Suburban All-Conference selection after averaging 13 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks per contest, while also earning her team's Best Defensive Player award.
Spending the past two years at Joliet, Strother earned North Central Community College Conference All-Conference honors this past season after averaging 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game. Strother's rebounding average led all of NJCAA Region IV in Div. III and she was the only player within the division to average a double-double.
Strother scored a career-high 29 points against Milwaukee Area Technical College during the week that she received NJCAA Div. III National Player of the Week honors, averaging 20.3 points and 12.3 rebounds during the week of February 8. She also earned a spot on the Region IV Division II All-Tournament team at season's end.
The daughter of Maria and Lawrence Strother, Strother is the youngest of three other siblings. She is a prospective Criminal Justice major.
Strother chose Ashford over Blackburn College, Dominican University and Holy Cross, among others.
