Marquette Signs Four in Recruiting Class
11/13/2019 12:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Head coach Megan Duffy Inks her First Marquette Class
MILWAUKEE- Marquette University women's basketball head coach Megan Duffy announces her first class at the helm of the Golden Eagles as Aliza Karlen, Danyel Middleton, Rose Nkumu and Julianna Okosun have signed National Letters of Intent as members of the Class of 2024.
"What an exciting day to welcome our newest class to Marquette University," Duffy said. "We found great fits to our basketball program and university with Liza Karlen, Danyel Middleton, Rose Nkumu, and Julianna Okosun. All four young women also come from successful AAU and high school programs and will add to our winning culture. With these four, we were able to fill some specific needs immediately, and they will bring big contributions to our future successes. Special thanks to Scott Merritt, Justine Raterman and Vernette Skeete for their tireless work to help bring our first class to fruition."
A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Karlen is a 6'2" forward ranked at #120 by Prospect Nation. She is a four-year letter-winner, three-time all-conference player, and a two-time captain at Stillwater and St. Paul Central High School. Karlen was named as the conference Player of the Year as a sophomore and junior and is also a two-time selection to the Minnesota all-state team. As a junior, she led her team to the state championship game, the first time in program history. She chose Marquette because of its close-to-home location, and the values that are held by the players and coaching staff. Karlen also competed in golf and swim in high school.
"We are thrilled to welcome Liza Karlen to our Marquette Basketball family," Duffy stated. "Liza had a great summer with the Minnesota Metro Stars showing her versatility to play inside and out. Her ability to knock down the open three and make positive plays in the paint will help our Golden Eagle team. We really feel that her best basketball is ahead and will thrive in the Marquette culture both on and off the court."
Middleton is a lengthy 5'10" guard and comes to Milwaukee from Chicago, Illinois. At Bolingbrook High School, she was named team MVP and was chosen as the all-area media MVP. Middleton led her team to a sectionals appearance and helped her AAU squad, MAC Irvin Fire, to win every tournament in the 2019 season. She plans to major in Sports Business and chose Marquette because of its at-home feel.
"Danyel Middelton knows what it takes to win after playing at storied programs, Bolingbrook High School and MAC Irvin Lady Fire. Dany has a competitive spirit and a relentless motor," said Duffy. She has been very successful in a high tempo and fast system. Her toughness to rebound the basketball will help our team immediately."
An Iowa City, Iowa native, Nkumu joins the Golden Eagles from Iowa City High School where she was a four-year letterwinner and two-time captain. She is a two-time first team all-conference selection and was named second team all-state in her sophomore and junior seasons, while earning second team all-district honors as a junior. Nkumu led her team to three consecutive conference titles and averaged 19 points, 5,4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.7 steals per game last season.
"Rose Nkumu brings huge value to our program here at Marquette," said Duffy. "Her basketball IQ and toughness running the point guard position immediately attracted us to her. She makes others around her better and knows what it takes to win. I've enjoyed watching her improve every year with Kingdom Hoops and we have no doubt she will continue to do great things at Marquette."
Okosun is a 6'4" center from Copenhagen, Denmark. She is a four-year letter winner and been a member of the Denmark U-16, U-18 and junior national teams. Last summer Okosun played in the U-18 European Championships and most recently was named to the Denmark Senior Women's National Team. She chose Marquette because of the high level of basketball being played, and the great education the school has to offer.
"Julianna Okosun brings a tremendous amount of experience to our frontcourt. Her path playing with the Denmark National team has exposed her to a high level of competition all over the world. Julianna is a true back to the basket player with great moves and footwork. We love her game and cannot wait to watch her develop here at Marquette.
All four will join Marquette in the summer of 2020 and have four years of eligibility remaining.
"What an exciting day to welcome our newest class to Marquette University," Duffy said. "We found great fits to our basketball program and university with Liza Karlen, Danyel Middleton, Rose Nkumu, and Julianna Okosun. All four young women also come from successful AAU and high school programs and will add to our winning culture. With these four, we were able to fill some specific needs immediately, and they will bring big contributions to our future successes. Special thanks to Scott Merritt, Justine Raterman and Vernette Skeete for their tireless work to help bring our first class to fruition."
A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Karlen is a 6'2" forward ranked at #120 by Prospect Nation. She is a four-year letter-winner, three-time all-conference player, and a two-time captain at Stillwater and St. Paul Central High School. Karlen was named as the conference Player of the Year as a sophomore and junior and is also a two-time selection to the Minnesota all-state team. As a junior, she led her team to the state championship game, the first time in program history. She chose Marquette because of its close-to-home location, and the values that are held by the players and coaching staff. Karlen also competed in golf and swim in high school.
"We are thrilled to welcome Liza Karlen to our Marquette Basketball family," Duffy stated. "Liza had a great summer with the Minnesota Metro Stars showing her versatility to play inside and out. Her ability to knock down the open three and make positive plays in the paint will help our Golden Eagle team. We really feel that her best basketball is ahead and will thrive in the Marquette culture both on and off the court."
Middleton is a lengthy 5'10" guard and comes to Milwaukee from Chicago, Illinois. At Bolingbrook High School, she was named team MVP and was chosen as the all-area media MVP. Middleton led her team to a sectionals appearance and helped her AAU squad, MAC Irvin Fire, to win every tournament in the 2019 season. She plans to major in Sports Business and chose Marquette because of its at-home feel.
"Danyel Middelton knows what it takes to win after playing at storied programs, Bolingbrook High School and MAC Irvin Lady Fire. Dany has a competitive spirit and a relentless motor," said Duffy. She has been very successful in a high tempo and fast system. Her toughness to rebound the basketball will help our team immediately."
An Iowa City, Iowa native, Nkumu joins the Golden Eagles from Iowa City High School where she was a four-year letterwinner and two-time captain. She is a two-time first team all-conference selection and was named second team all-state in her sophomore and junior seasons, while earning second team all-district honors as a junior. Nkumu led her team to three consecutive conference titles and averaged 19 points, 5,4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.7 steals per game last season.
"Rose Nkumu brings huge value to our program here at Marquette," said Duffy. "Her basketball IQ and toughness running the point guard position immediately attracted us to her. She makes others around her better and knows what it takes to win. I've enjoyed watching her improve every year with Kingdom Hoops and we have no doubt she will continue to do great things at Marquette."
Okosun is a 6'4" center from Copenhagen, Denmark. She is a four-year letter winner and been a member of the Denmark U-16, U-18 and junior national teams. Last summer Okosun played in the U-18 European Championships and most recently was named to the Denmark Senior Women's National Team. She chose Marquette because of the high level of basketball being played, and the great education the school has to offer.
"Julianna Okosun brings a tremendous amount of experience to our frontcourt. Her path playing with the Denmark National team has exposed her to a high level of competition all over the world. Julianna is a true back to the basket player with great moves and footwork. We love her game and cannot wait to watch her develop here at Marquette.
All four will join Marquette in the summer of 2020 and have four years of eligibility remaining.
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