University of Georgia Athletics
Lady Bulldogs Ink Top-10 Post Player
November 14, 2016 | Women's Basketball
ATHENS, Ga. - Malury Bates, a four-star prospect according to ESPN Hoopgurlz, has signed a National Letter of Intent with the Georgia Lady Bulldog basketball program, head coach Joni Taylor announced on Monday.
Bates is part of an already impressive signing class for the Lady Bulldogs, joining five-star guard Que Morrison and four-star guard Maya Caldwell, who signed last week.
A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Bates is ranked No. 68 overall nationally and the No. 8 post player in the nation according to ESPN's HoopGurlz.
"Malury is an outstanding interior player who has the ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor," Taylor said. "She is an athletic scorer, she's very active on the glass and is a great shot-blocking presence on the defensive end. Most of all, Malury is a phenomenal role-model both on and off the court, and I'm thrilled that she has chosen to make Georgia her home for the next four years."
Bates is entering her senior season at William Fleming High School. The 6-foot-3 center was a Virginia High School Coaches Association 4A First Team selection this past year as she helped her team to the 4A Girls Finals.
In the state semifinals against Wilson High School, she posted a double-double of 18 points and an impressive 19 rebounds to lead her team to a 66-64 win. In all, Bates averaged a double-double of 11 points and 12.3 rebounds through three games in the state tournament.
Playing for head coach Ronald "Champ" Hubbard, Bates earned VHSL 4A West Region Player of the Year Honors this past year. She is rated as the third-best player in the state of Virginia according to ESPN.com.
Bates is Georgia's third signee of the the early signing period, which runs from Nov. 9-16.
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