*UPDATE* After originally announcing four, BYU added a fifth signee Nov. 15, Ashala Moseberry, to the 2023 recruiting class
PROVO, Utah – BYU women’s basketball added five signees to the 2023 recruiting class, including three top players in their respective states, one top international prospect and one all-conference player from junior college.
BYU signed the No. 33 overall player in ESPN's Top 100 recruiting rankings, guard Amari Whiting. In addition to Whiting, the Cougars also add the top player from Spain in Marina Mata, South Plains College all-conference selection Ashala Moseberry, the Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year Ali’a Matavao and one of the top scorers in Utah, Kailey Woolston out of Lone Peak High School.
"I am really excited about 2023 class," BYU head coach Amber Whiting said. "These ladies are special. They are high character kids that play the game because they love it. They each have that defensive first mentality and aren't afraid to work hard. Individually they bring something that compliments each other. I am looking forward to getting them all here and going to work."
The 2023 recruits will be the first class that gets to play every season going forward in the Big 12 Conference after BYU finishes its last season in the West Coast Conference in 2022-23.
Read more about the 2023 class below:
Marina Mata (More on Marina)
6-2, F
Barbastro, Spain
Segle XXI
Marina Mata, from Barbastro, Spain, will join the program as a 6-foot-2 forward that is averaging 10.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals this season for Segle XXI in Spain.
A player with a wealth of international game experience, Mata played in 24 games for Segle XXI last season. Mata trained at Barbastro Basketball Club and Barbastro Basket Union in Spain.
She won a provincial championship in 2019 after a runner-up season in 2018.
Coach Whiting on Marina:
“Marina is a hidden gem that comes to us from Spain where she is a top player against international competition and is prime to step in a make a big difference in the Big 12. Her ceiling is incredibly high. She’s a 6’2” long versatile player with a high basketball IQ who can shoot the three and finish at the rim. She’ll have an immediate impact on the defensive end of the ball and will create problems for other teams with her ability to rebound and get out and run the court. She has a great work ethic and will be a great asset to our program”
Ashala Moseberry (More on Ashala)
5-10, G/F
Madison, Wisconsin
South Plains College (Texas)
Moseberry was a Western Junior College Athletic Association First-Team All-Conference selection last season after averaging 11.1 points per game and 5.6 rebounds. She started all 28 games for a South Plains team that went 22-9 overall, including an 11-3 mark in league play.
Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Moseberry helped the Lady Texans advance to the Elite 8 of the NJCAA Women's Basketball National Tournament during the 2021-22 season. Moseberry played in 64 games for South Plains with 42 starts, including a WJCAC championship in 2019-20.
Moseberry prepped at Madison East and was selected as the Big Eight Conference Girls player of the year.
Coach Whiting on Ashala
"We are so excited to welcome Ashala to our BYU family. The first time I met Ashala I knew she was a right fit for us. She has a high basketball IQ that brings experience and the fight that we are looking for. What attracted us to Ashala was her defensive mentality that she brings for 94 feet and can guard multiple positions. She lights up talking about it. She can also score on all three levels and can really fill it up. She’s going to be a great addition to our team.
Ali’a Matavao (More on Ali'a)
6-0, F
Henderson, Nevada
Liberty High School
From Henderson, Nevada, Ali’a Matavao was named the 2021-22 Gatorade Nevada Player of the Year out of Liberty High School.
At 6-foot, Matavao averaged nearly a double-double last season, scoring 13.2 point and grabbing 9.8 rebounds while picking up 3.1 steals per game.
She was named the 5A Player of the Year and was named to the Las Vegas Sun’s Super Seven Team.
Matavao is a teammate of Amari Whiting on the Natalie Williams Basketball Academy that competes in the Adidas 3 Stripes Select circuit.
Coach Whiting on Ali’a:
“Ali’a is not only a great player but an amazing person. She was the Gatorade Player of the Year for the State of Nevada as a junior and has the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. She has a motor that won’t quit. She’s a big, athletic wing that embraces physicality. Her size and physicality will play to our advantage on both the offensive and defensive boards and against teams who want to play with smaller lineups."
Amari Whiting (More on Amari)
5-10, G
Burley, Idaho
Burley HS/Timpview HS
Amari Whiting, a 5-foot-10, combo guard out of Burley, Idaho, will come to BYU as one of the country’s most versatile players. Whiting was the No. 33 overall prospect in ESPN’s Top 100 recruiting rankings for the 2023 class.
The 2021-22 Gatorade Player of the Year in Idaho, in 79 games at Burley posted 45 20-point games, 13 30-point games and 2 40-point games. She holds the school records for points in a game (44), points in a season (700), career points (1,910).
Not just a scorer, Whiting also holds records for steals in a game (11), season (149) and career (395).
As a junior last year, Whiting led Burley to a 4A state championship with a 25-1 record, averaging 25.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 2.7 assists. She was a two-time 4A Idaho Player of the Year and GB7 Conference Player of the Year.
Whiting also maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom and volunteers with the Hoop Camp Foundation.
Amari is the daughter of current BYU head coach Amber Whiting and Trent Whiting, both BYU basketball alums before Trent went on to a 12-year professional basketball career overseas.
Coach Whiting on Amari:
“The thing that makes Amari special is that she is a defensive dog that loves the fight. Amari relies on her defensive pressure to kickstart her game. She’s a fierce competitor that plays both ends of the floor and does whatever it takes to help her team win. She takes challenges head on and has a contagious competitive spirit that will be a game changer for us heading into the Big 12.”
Kailey Woolston (More on Kailey)
5-10, G
Highland, Utah
Lone Peak High School
Kailey Woolston, a 5-foot-10 guard from Lone Peak High School was named the 6A Deseret News and Daily Herald Player of the Year.
She led 6A in both scoring average and 3-pointers last season, averaging 19.7 points per game.
A three-time 6A all-state player, Woolston averaged 19.7 points per game, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals last year.
Woolston led the Knights to an undefeated 23-0 season and a state title in 2021-22.
Woolston is a two-time all-tournament team honoree and two-time Region 4 MVP.
Coach Whiting on Kailey:
“Kailey is a coach’s dream. She is a hard-working blue-collar type player who is going to out work you every day. She is a high character kid that comes from a great family. She’s an exceptional three-point shooter and always looks to take on the challenge of defending the opposing team’s best player. She’s not afraid of the fight and does all the little things to help her team win. She will help stretch the floor and brings a defense first mindset”