AUBURN, Ala. – Two more new student-athletes have signed with the Auburn women's basketball team, head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy announced Thursday.
The Tigers will welcome Aissetou Coulibaly (6-0, G, Mali) and Alaina Rice (5-8, G, Rockledge, Fla.) to The Plains this fall. Coulibaly is an incoming freshman and will be eligible to play immediately. Rice is transferring from Florida A&M and will sit out the 2020-21 season per NCAA rules; she will have three seasons of eligibility beginning in 2021-22.
Auburn has now signed six new players during the offseason, five of whom can play this fall. In addition to Coulibaly and Rice, the Tigers will welcome junior college transfers Alycia Reese, Keya Patton and Kira Lowery along with freshman Romi Levy.
Here is some information about the Tigers' two newest additions:
AISSETOU COULIBALY
Height: 6-0
Position: Guard
Home Country: Mali
High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Highlights: Played for Mali's national team at the FIBA U16 African Championships in 2017, leading her team to the tournament championship … Was named tournament MVP after scoring 21.8 points per game in the event … Ranked 29th at her position by ESPN … Played high school basketball at IMG Academy … Will be Auburn's third women's basketball student-athlete from Africa, joining Crispina Correia (Cape Verde, 2001-03) and Khady Dieng (Senegal, 2013-17).
Coach Flo on Aissetou: "Aissetou Coulibaly is the epitome of what we look for when we are recruiting to our identity which is talent, versatility, competitiveness, and unselfishness. Equipped with a skill set that will allow her to, offensively, shoot from 3, attack the rim, and post smaller defenders while, defensively, being able to play multiple positions in our press, 'AC' has the potential to be one of the best two-way players to put on an Auburn uniform. She is also a person with great character who chose Auburn because she wanted to be a part of something special. AC fills a specific need that we had, and we couldn't be happier to have her for the next four years."
ALAINA RICE
Height: 5-8
Position: Guard
Hometown: Rockledge, Fla.
High School: IMG Academy
Previous School: Florida A&M
Highlights: Played in all 27 games as a freshman at FAMU … Averaged 10.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, leading the team in assists … Was named MEAC Rookie of the Year … Scored in double-figures 17 times, including a season-high 22 points vs. Howard … Played high school basketball at IMG Academy.
Coach Flo on Alaina: "Alaina Rice is a combo guard with the length and athleticism that we covet to be successful in our system for the next three years. She has an attacking mentality and can create for herself and others from either guard spot. Alaina brings competitiveness and experience as she was the freshman of the year in her conference and some of her best games came against Power 5 opponents. Defensively, she excels when harassing ball handlers and playing passing lanes which is ideal for the style that we employ. We are super excited about the addition of Alaina who had the opportunity to choose among Power 5 offers, but chose Auburn because of the 'fit' academically and athletically and the opportunity to play in a system that complements her skill set."