The 2020 UCLA Women's Basketball recruiting class is the Bruins' first-ever class made up entirely of international players.
UCLA Women's Basketball Signs Three International Standouts
November 14, 2019 | Women's Basketball
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LOS ANGELES – The Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close unveiled today the program's highly-touted 2020 recruiting class, as the Bruins signed three international players to National Letters of Intent. The class includes forwards Emily Bessoir (Munich, Germany/Wilhelm-Hausenstein Gymnasium), and Izzy Anstey (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia/Caulfield Grammar School), and guard Gemma Potter (Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia/Lake Ginninderra College).
The talented trio will enter UCLA in the fall of 2020 as freshmen and will become members of the 2020-21 women's basketball team.
"We could not be any more excited about our recruiting class," Close said. "We signed two versatile bigs and an athletic versatile guard. I got to see all of them on the world stage this summer at the U19 World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand. They had a competitive drive about them that caught my attention. The USA team that I was coaching played both teams (Germany and Australia) twice and all three players gave us fits."
Emily Bessoir | 6-4 | Forward | Munich, Germany | Wilhelm-Hausenstein Gymnasium
Hailing from Munich, Germany, where she attended Wilhelm-Hausenstein Gymnasium, Bessoir plays basketball for TS Jahn München. TS Jahn München competes in Germany's 2nd Women's League (2nd Bundesliga South - 2.DBBL). She is currently averaging 17.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 2.2 assists and 1.8 blocks per game through the first seven games of the 2019-20 season. Bessoir is also shooting 47.0 percent from the field (39-of-83), 40.7 percent from three-point range (11-of-27), and 86.7 percent from the free-throw line (13-of-15). She has recorded three double-doubles already this season which includes a season-best 20 points and 11 boards against Kia Metropol Baskets Schwabach. She is in her fourth season with TS Jahn München and has averaged 14.0 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in her career. This summer (July 20-28, 2019) she competed for the German U19 National Team at the 2019 U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, where she averaged 7.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Had a double-double against Latvia of 10 points and 13 rebounds. Had her best scoring game of 17 points to go with nine rebounds, one assist, and one block against Japan. She has participated in the Basketball Without Borders Camp three times and has a dual citizenship with the USA and Germany. Her father, Bill Bessoir, played college basketball at South Carolina in 1982 and then played three seasons at the University of Scranton where he was a three-time National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-American (1983-85). He was inducted into the Middle Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame in 2019. Bill's father, Bob Bessoir, also played at the University of Scranton and later returned to coach his alma mater for 29 years (1972-2001). He won his first NCAA Division III Championship in 1976 and his second in 1983, which was Bill's first season at Scranton. Bob Bessoir was named to eight different Halls of Fame in his career, including the Middle Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame in 2012. She is rated the No. 3 international player by Premier Basketball Report (PBR).
Close on Bessoir:
"Emily can shoot the three, attack off the bounce, is efficient in the post and knows how to move without the ball way beyond her years. She is one of the most versatile post players in the world. She also has great timing and is a great shot-blocker. She is also a tremendous leader and teammate and keeps others centered every step of the way. She fits our versatile style perfectly and her Bruin character is already shining through."
Bessoir on why she chose UCLA:
"I chose UCLA because I was very impressed with the coaching staff and their philosophy about basketball and women athletes. I can't wait to work with them and learn from them to become the best I can be on and off the court. Being able to study at a world renown University and to play for a team which competes in one of the top conferences in the country were also major factors in my decision."
Izzy Anstey | 6-4 | Forward | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Caulfield Grammar School
Standing 6-foot-4 and hailing from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Anstey attends Caulfield Grammar School and plays basketball for the Dandenong Rangers. This summer (July 20-28, 2019) she competed for the Australian U19 National Team at the 2019 U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, where she averaged 7.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Australia made it all the way to the championship game for the first time since 1997, eventually falling to Team USA, 74-70 in overtime. Anstey had a great all-around game in the finals with 16 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, three assists and one steal against the Americans. Anstey is the daughter of world champion and 1992 Olympic swimmer Linley Frame and double Olympian (2000 and 2008) and former NBA player Chris Anstey. Chris Anstey was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 1997 NBA Draft (18th overall pick). He played two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks (1997-98 to 1998-99) and one season with the Chicago Bulls (1999-2000). Izzy Anstey was also on the Australian U17 team in 2018 that took bronze at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Belarus and the FIBA Oceania U18 Championship for Women. Additionally, like Gemma Potter of Bulleen/CoE, Anstey was named to the Victoria Metropolitan U18 Girl's Team in 2018 while playing for Dandenong. She is rated the No. 14 international player by Premier Basketball Report (PBR).
Close on Anstey:
"Izzy's basketball IQ is off the charts. Her aggressive style of play and physicality is exactly what we need. Not only is she an efficient finisher around the goal, she also possesses a great jump shot and is a tremendous passer. Finding a rim protector, an aggressive defender, and a post player with a huge upside was our top priority. We hit the jackpot with Izzy as she is a tremendous addition to our Bruin family."
Anstey on why she chose UCLA:
"I chose UCLA because it's not just amazing in one aspect, but amazing overall. The coaching staff and team are incredible, as well as the education provided and its prime location just across the pond from home in Los Angeles. My expectations were completely exceeded as soon as I stepped on campus."
Gemma Potter | 6-0 | Guard | Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia | Lake Ginninderra College
Hailing from Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia, Potter attends Lake Ginninderra College and plays basketball for the University of Canberra Capitals of the WNBL. Potter signed a one-year amateur agreement with the Capitals, allowing her to get a taste of the WNBL before she arrives at UCLA. While with the UC Capitals, she will get the chance to train against one of the best players in the world in her position, going against starter Kia Nurse every day. This summer (July 20-28, 2019) she competed for the Australian U19 National Team at the 2019 U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, where she averaged 8.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Australia made it all the way to the championship game for the first time since 1997, eventually falling to Team USA, 74-70 in overtime. Potter scored 12 points and added three steals, two assists, and one rebound in group phase against Hungary. She had her best game of 18 points (4-for-6 from 3-point range), two assists, and two rebounds in a quarterfinal win over Mali. She shot 47.6 percent (10-for-21) from three-point range in her six games of the tournament, playing just under 17 minutes per contest. Additionally, like Izzy Anstey of Dandenong, Potter was named to the Victoria Metropolitan U18 Girl's Team in 2018 while playing for Bulleen/CoE. Potter played for Bulleen for seven years. Potter has also had remarkable success for Victoria Metro in recent seasons, finishing among the top scorers and rebounders for the team in a pair of gold medal winning teams. She was also on the Australian U17 team with Anstey in 2018 that took bronze at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Belarus. She also participated in the Basketball Without Borders Camp in January of 2019 where she met Emily Bessoir. She is rated the No. 16 international player by Premier Basketball Report (PBR).
Close on Potter:
"Gemma is a strong, quick, long, and competitive player that can really knock down the three-ball. Her drive for greatness is off the charts. She isn't afraid to dream big and work bigger. She will be excellent in our versatile up-tempo offense and is already an elite defender. She is a great addition to our program."
Potter on why she chose UCLA:
"I chose UCLA because as soon as I stepped on campus and met all of the players and staff, I knew I was where I belonged. Being so far away from home, relationships are really important as they will become my new family. I loved all of the coaching staff because they are invested in not just developing us on the basketball court but also developing us into women."
The UCLA Women's Basketball team is excited for its newest family members to be arriving on campus this summer in time to head out on a foreign tour in August.
LOS ANGELES – The Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close unveiled today the program's highly-touted 2020 recruiting class, as the Bruins signed three international players to National Letters of Intent. The class includes forwards Emily Bessoir (Munich, Germany/Wilhelm-Hausenstein Gymnasium), and Izzy Anstey (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia/Caulfield Grammar School), and guard Gemma Potter (Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia/Lake Ginninderra College).
The talented trio will enter UCLA in the fall of 2020 as freshmen and will become members of the 2020-21 women's basketball team.
"We could not be any more excited about our recruiting class," Close said. "We signed two versatile bigs and an athletic versatile guard. I got to see all of them on the world stage this summer at the U19 World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand. They had a competitive drive about them that caught my attention. The USA team that I was coaching played both teams (Germany and Australia) twice and all three players gave us fits."
Emily Bessoir | 6-4 | Forward | Munich, Germany | Wilhelm-Hausenstein Gymnasium
Hailing from Munich, Germany, where she attended Wilhelm-Hausenstein Gymnasium, Bessoir plays basketball for TS Jahn München. TS Jahn München competes in Germany's 2nd Women's League (2nd Bundesliga South - 2.DBBL). She is currently averaging 17.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 2.2 assists and 1.8 blocks per game through the first seven games of the 2019-20 season. Bessoir is also shooting 47.0 percent from the field (39-of-83), 40.7 percent from three-point range (11-of-27), and 86.7 percent from the free-throw line (13-of-15). She has recorded three double-doubles already this season which includes a season-best 20 points and 11 boards against Kia Metropol Baskets Schwabach. She is in her fourth season with TS Jahn München and has averaged 14.0 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in her career. This summer (July 20-28, 2019) she competed for the German U19 National Team at the 2019 U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, where she averaged 7.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Had a double-double against Latvia of 10 points and 13 rebounds. Had her best scoring game of 17 points to go with nine rebounds, one assist, and one block against Japan. She has participated in the Basketball Without Borders Camp three times and has a dual citizenship with the USA and Germany. Her father, Bill Bessoir, played college basketball at South Carolina in 1982 and then played three seasons at the University of Scranton where he was a three-time National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-American (1983-85). He was inducted into the Middle Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame in 2019. Bill's father, Bob Bessoir, also played at the University of Scranton and later returned to coach his alma mater for 29 years (1972-2001). He won his first NCAA Division III Championship in 1976 and his second in 1983, which was Bill's first season at Scranton. Bob Bessoir was named to eight different Halls of Fame in his career, including the Middle Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame in 2012. She is rated the No. 3 international player by Premier Basketball Report (PBR).
Close on Bessoir:
"Emily can shoot the three, attack off the bounce, is efficient in the post and knows how to move without the ball way beyond her years. She is one of the most versatile post players in the world. She also has great timing and is a great shot-blocker. She is also a tremendous leader and teammate and keeps others centered every step of the way. She fits our versatile style perfectly and her Bruin character is already shining through."
Bessoir on why she chose UCLA:
"I chose UCLA because I was very impressed with the coaching staff and their philosophy about basketball and women athletes. I can't wait to work with them and learn from them to become the best I can be on and off the court. Being able to study at a world renown University and to play for a team which competes in one of the top conferences in the country were also major factors in my decision."
Izzy Anstey | 6-4 | Forward | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Caulfield Grammar School
Standing 6-foot-4 and hailing from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Anstey attends Caulfield Grammar School and plays basketball for the Dandenong Rangers. This summer (July 20-28, 2019) she competed for the Australian U19 National Team at the 2019 U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, where she averaged 7.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Australia made it all the way to the championship game for the first time since 1997, eventually falling to Team USA, 74-70 in overtime. Anstey had a great all-around game in the finals with 16 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, three assists and one steal against the Americans. Anstey is the daughter of world champion and 1992 Olympic swimmer Linley Frame and double Olympian (2000 and 2008) and former NBA player Chris Anstey. Chris Anstey was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 1997 NBA Draft (18th overall pick). He played two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks (1997-98 to 1998-99) and one season with the Chicago Bulls (1999-2000). Izzy Anstey was also on the Australian U17 team in 2018 that took bronze at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Belarus and the FIBA Oceania U18 Championship for Women. Additionally, like Gemma Potter of Bulleen/CoE, Anstey was named to the Victoria Metropolitan U18 Girl's Team in 2018 while playing for Dandenong. She is rated the No. 14 international player by Premier Basketball Report (PBR).
Close on Anstey:
"Izzy's basketball IQ is off the charts. Her aggressive style of play and physicality is exactly what we need. Not only is she an efficient finisher around the goal, she also possesses a great jump shot and is a tremendous passer. Finding a rim protector, an aggressive defender, and a post player with a huge upside was our top priority. We hit the jackpot with Izzy as she is a tremendous addition to our Bruin family."
Anstey on why she chose UCLA:
"I chose UCLA because it's not just amazing in one aspect, but amazing overall. The coaching staff and team are incredible, as well as the education provided and its prime location just across the pond from home in Los Angeles. My expectations were completely exceeded as soon as I stepped on campus."
Gemma Potter | 6-0 | Guard | Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia | Lake Ginninderra College
Hailing from Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia, Potter attends Lake Ginninderra College and plays basketball for the University of Canberra Capitals of the WNBL. Potter signed a one-year amateur agreement with the Capitals, allowing her to get a taste of the WNBL before she arrives at UCLA. While with the UC Capitals, she will get the chance to train against one of the best players in the world in her position, going against starter Kia Nurse every day. This summer (July 20-28, 2019) she competed for the Australian U19 National Team at the 2019 U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, where she averaged 8.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Australia made it all the way to the championship game for the first time since 1997, eventually falling to Team USA, 74-70 in overtime. Potter scored 12 points and added three steals, two assists, and one rebound in group phase against Hungary. She had her best game of 18 points (4-for-6 from 3-point range), two assists, and two rebounds in a quarterfinal win over Mali. She shot 47.6 percent (10-for-21) from three-point range in her six games of the tournament, playing just under 17 minutes per contest. Additionally, like Izzy Anstey of Dandenong, Potter was named to the Victoria Metropolitan U18 Girl's Team in 2018 while playing for Bulleen/CoE. Potter played for Bulleen for seven years. Potter has also had remarkable success for Victoria Metro in recent seasons, finishing among the top scorers and rebounders for the team in a pair of gold medal winning teams. She was also on the Australian U17 team with Anstey in 2018 that took bronze at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Belarus. She also participated in the Basketball Without Borders Camp in January of 2019 where she met Emily Bessoir. She is rated the No. 16 international player by Premier Basketball Report (PBR).
Close on Potter:
"Gemma is a strong, quick, long, and competitive player that can really knock down the three-ball. Her drive for greatness is off the charts. She isn't afraid to dream big and work bigger. She will be excellent in our versatile up-tempo offense and is already an elite defender. She is a great addition to our program."
Potter on why she chose UCLA:
"I chose UCLA because as soon as I stepped on campus and met all of the players and staff, I knew I was where I belonged. Being so far away from home, relationships are really important as they will become my new family. I loved all of the coaching staff because they are invested in not just developing us on the basketball court but also developing us into women."
The UCLA Women's Basketball team is excited for its newest family members to be arriving on campus this summer in time to head out on a foreign tour in August.
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