While the University of Houston’s men’s basketball team is the one that’s typically in the news, the women’s basketball team recently made headlines of their own. Last week, the Lady Cougars Women’s Basketball Head Coach Ronald Hughey announced the signing of transfer guard Kateri Poole from Louisiana State University.
Poole, a 5’8″ guard from Bronx, N.Y., previously played a pivotal role on the LSU squad, including the 2023 season where the Lady Tigers won the National Championship as they defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85. Poole played in 35 games that season, and her stellar player earned her a starting role in the final six games of the tournament, which helped the team win a championship. During the championship run, Poole played stifling defense and shot 53% over that stretch, including a pair of threes in the national championship game to seal the win over Iowa.
Despite only appearing in four games for the Tigers last season, the Lady Cougars are excited to have Poole join their program and rotation. Hughey expressed his excitement about welcoming Poole to the Cougar family, citing her championship experience and winning pedigree.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Kateri to the Cougar family,” Hughey said. “A National Champion at LSU and a former five-star recruit, Kateri brings championship experience and a winning pedigree to Houston. Kateri is a tough and exciting player who will help elevate our program. Their ability to score in a variety of ways and create for their teammates will help take our offense to new levels. Kateri will make an immediate impact on our program and cannot wait to have Kateri on campus.”
Poole also shared her decision to play at Houston next year on Instagram, expressing her enthusiasm for the next chapter in her basketball career.
In her latest unpinned photo on her feed, Poole posted a picture of herself flexing in a Cougar’s uniform with a caption that read COOGS with a guitar emoji and the bible verse Psalm 91, which is a prayer for protection that begins with “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
In high school, Poole had an impressive basketball career. During her senior season at South Shore, she averaged 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists. As a result, she was honored with the title of Miss New York by the Basketball Coaches Association of New York. Additionally, she was selected for the first-team All-State in 2020 and the second-team in 2019.
Poole’s phenomenal play earned her a five-star recruit and espnW HoopGurlz’s No. 24 overall player in the 2020 class. Poole was the MVP of the Kyrie Invitational at the Barclays Center in December 2019, earning the title of Miss New York and receiving various accolades for her outstanding performance on the court.
After graduating high school, Poole received a scholarship to Ohio State and played for two seasons before transferring to LSU. As a freshman, she played in all 20 games, started the final five, and averaged 6.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. She was recognized for her performance by being named to the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team. In the following season at Ohio State, she played in 25 games, made 13 starts, and averaged 4.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 16.1 minutes per game. She also participated in all three NCAA Tournament games during Ohio State’s Sweet 16 run.
In addition to singing Poole, the Lady Coogs also landed guards Eylia Love from Louisville, and Ashley Chevalier from Texas Tech.
Love, a 6’1″ guard from Kansas City, Kan., was a standout at Olathe North High School. She was a four-star prospect, ranked No. 64 overall and No. 12 in her position by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. Love was a team captain her senior year and was selected to the 6A First Team All-State. She was a McDonald’s All-American and Gatorade Player of the Year nominee.
She began her colligate career at Georgia Tech, where she spent three and a half seasons before transferring to Louisville in spring 2023. At Louisville, she played 31 games with the Cardinals during the 2023-24 season and recorded her second career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against North Carolina A&T.
With her versatility, leadership, and NCAA tournament experience, Love is expected to make a major impact on the upcoming season for the Cougars.
“We are very excited and extremely blessed to add Eylia to our program,” Hughey said. “Eylia brings leadership and NCAA tournament experience to Houston. She is an extremely versatile player who can play multiple positions. Her unique blend of skill, toughness and athleticism will help take our program to the next level. She is a difference-maker on both ends of the floor and will make an immediate impact for us. She is an aggressive lockdown defender who fits our style of play and will be a great fit for our program and culture here at Houston.”
Chevalier is a 5’7 guard from Chatsworth, Calif. She went to Sierra Canyon High School, where she averaged 11.7 points per game and 4.3 assists per game. In her senior year, she helped Sierra Canyon earn the No. 1 seed in the Southern Section Open Division playoffs and was the No. 86 overall player by espnW HoopGurlz and the No. 27 point guard.
She started her colligate career at the University of Texas, where she spent two seasons. In Austin as a freshman, she appeared in 35 games, made two starts and played in three games during the Longhorns’ 2021 Elite Eight run.
Chevalier then transferred to Texas Tech, where she spent the next two seasons. She appeared in 33 games and started 23 during the 2023-24 season. She finished fourth on the team with a career-high 35 steals and 41 assists for the season.
Known for her playmaking ability and vocal leadership, Chevalier is set to make an immediate impact for the U of H next year.
“Ashley is what you call a pass-first point guard that can also score,” Hughey said. “She is also a vocal leader that leads from the front with passion and energy. We are extremely excited to have Ashley join our Coog family.”
