Lady Griz sign Waddington to NLI

The Montana women's basketball program signed Avery Waddington to a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday on the opening day of the early signing period.

Waddington is a 6-foot-3 guard from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and a senior at Lake City High.

"On her recruiting visit, I pulled out my Swiss Army Knife and said, this is what you are," said Lady Griz coach Brian Holsinger. "She is the type of kid who can play multiple positions at 6-foot-3. She is long and has a really, really big upside to her.

"If she wants to work at it, she'll be as good as she wants to be because she has all the skills. She is a really good 3-point shooter and showed this summer how hard she can play and aggressive she can get as a slasher."

Waddington had Division I offers that extended from coast to coast. She becomes Montana's second-ever player from Coeur d'Alene, joining 2012-13 Big Sky Conference MVP Katie Baker.

"I chose Montana for the awesome coaching staff, players and fans," Waddington said. "The amount of people invested in the Montana Lady Griz is unbelievable.

"Missoula is also a great town with tons to do. The culture Montana brings is one-of-a-kind, and I am thrilled to be a part of it. Go Griz!"

Waddington was first-team All-5A Inland Empire League as a sophomore and junior. She averaged 13.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists last winter at Lake City High as a junior.

She has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and has been a part of the National Honor Society the last three years.

"From a character perspective, just top-notch," Holsinger said. "She comes from a family that fits our culture in every way, being unselfish, being a great teammate, doing the right thing. That's who she is and the kind of family she comes from. She fits where we're going and what we want to be about."

The early signing period for basketball goes from Nov. 8 to Nov. 15. The regular signing period is from April 17 to May 15.

University of Montana Athletics

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