UF Women’s Basketball: Gators Ink Four on National Signing Day

Courtesy of University Athletic Association

Women’s basketball signs two forwards and two guards to 2021 class.

University of Florida women’s basketball head coach Cam Newbauer announced today the signing of Alberte Rimdal (Køge, Denmark), Jeriah Warren (Lake Charles, La.) and twins Taliyah Wyche (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Tatyana Wyche (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) to the Gators’ 2021 recruiting class.

All four will enter UF in the fall of 2021 as freshmen and become members of the 2021-22 women’s basketball team.

Head Coach Cam Newbauer on the class…
“We are excited to welcome Alberte, Jeriah, Taliyah, and Tatyana to Gator Nation! On the court this class brings a high level of championship experience with three state champions and elite international play. Off the court, they bring the upstanding character and elite standard qualities that best represent the Gator Nation. With compassion, communication, respect, and high-motor competitiveness, their impact on our program will continue to elevate us to higher levels. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this class will have on our program.”

Rimdal, the program’s first-ever signee from Denmark, is an accomplished scorer with robust experience competing for her home country on the national stage. Ranked No. 10 in WorldWideHoops Class of 2021 Rankings, Rimdal is a 5-foot-9 guard with a crafty offensive package and a pure jump shot.

Competing for her home country of Denmark since she was 15, Rimdal has played in over 50 games on a national level and will represent the Danish women’s national team in the upcoming 2020 European Qualifiers. Rimdal averaged 13.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in the 2019 U18 European Championship. In 2018 at the FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship, Rimdal put together a break-out performance, compiling averages of 18.1 points per game, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.

One of Rimdal’s best games came against Russia, when she poured in 26 points on 5 three-pointers. Rimdal has been selected twice to participate in the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global Camp, a joint venture between the NBA and FIBA. She competed in the summit in 2019, when she was named 3-point champion and the all-star game MVP. This past season, she attended the event in Chicago that was held during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Newbauer on Rimdal…
“Alberte is a crafty scorer with a high basketball IQ and ability to play multiple guard positions. Her infectious personality, coupled with her fierce competitiveness, make her an asset to any team.  She has experience and maturity, that sets her apart and we are excited for what she will bring to our program.”

The 6-foot guard, Warren, considered to be one of Louisiana’s top talents, was named All-State First Team and the Most Outstanding Player of the Class 4A State Tournament this past season. Behind the strong play of Warren, who averaged 16.7 points per game, the LaGrange Gators won 32 games and hoisted their first-ever Class 4A State Championship. Stuffing the stat sheet with 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 steals, and 3.5 assists per game, Warren garnered District 4A Player of the Year honors and led the Gators to a victory over two-time defending champion Warren Easton in the Louisiana state title game.

Ranked No. 95 in ProspectsNation.com’s Top 100, Warren is considered to be a four-star recruit. She has been a steady riser in the recruiting rankings and finished her junior campaign averaging 12.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 5.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks. During her time at La Grange, the Gators have won at least one playoff game each year and claimed two district titles. The team went undefeated in district play each of the last two seasons.

Newbauer on Warren…
“Jeriah is another versatile guard with great length and athleticism that will make her a threat on both sides of the ball. She has a tireless work ethic and desire to improve that is contagious. We are thrilled to have Jeriah representing the Orange and Blue.”

The Wyche twins bring tremendous size and athleticism to the Gators, as well as a winning pedigree. Starring for American Heritage High School in Plantation, Fla., Taliyah and Tatyana have claimed three consecutive state titles. Tatyana is 6-foot-2 and right-handed, while Taliyah stands at 6-foot-3 and is left-handed. The twins were named the Sun Sentinel’s Broward 5A-1A girls basketball co-players of the year in 2020.

Taliyah Wyche, a physically-gifted forward with a great motor, earned a 90 overall scout’s grade from ESPN. She averaged a double-double as a junior and exploded for 31 points and 11 rebounds in the 2020 Class 5A state title game against Pensacola Pine Forest.

Newbauer on Taliyah Wyche…
“Taliyah has a great motor and passion for the game! She can stretch the floor with her mid-range game and as a lefty and has great touch around the rim. She has been a dominant forward in the state of Florida throughout high school, and we are excited that she has chosen to attend the flagship school of Florida.”

Tatyana Wyche was assigned an 89 overall scout’s grade via ESPN. An explosive athlete, Wyche was an absolute force for the American Heritage Patriots, registering 15.0 points, 17.0 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks in 28 games as a junior. A force on both ends of the floor, ProspectsNation.com recognized Wyche as a four-star recruit and the No. 109 player overall in the 2021 class.

Newbauer on Tatyana Wyche…
“Taty is a physical forward and a winner that plays with unmatched effort. She is an elite rebounder with a knack for the ball. Taty is a high-level communicator and is poised to lead her team in their quest for a fourth-straight state championship.”

Taliyah and Tatyana will be the first set of twins in program history and the third set of sisters. Charmaine (1994-96) and DeLisha (1993-97) Milton starred together in the 1990’s for UF, while Casandra (1986-90) and Tonya (1997-00) Washington also played for the Gators, but not on the same team.

Rimdal on her commitment…
“I’m overly excited to be a Gator. I can’t wait to come (to Gainesville). Playing Division I basketball has been my dream since as long as I can remember. It wasn’t easy to begin with. I have been in touch with a lot of very good schools, but in the end I chose Florida because I believe in the journey the coaching staff has started. I wanted to play in one of the best leagues, and SEC is just that. I hope to be able to help UF to play in successive NCAA tournaments in the future. Besides that, I felt a good connection with the coaching staff, and the girls are very sweet. I like the style of play, and I really think I fit in.”

Warren on her commitment…
“I’m excited to be able to play at the next level and see how I can continue to improve my game. I know me being at Florida is going to push me to be a better me, and I’m excited to get to Gainesville and play for Gator Nation. The Florida staff was the most consistent with communicating with me, I spoke to all of the coaches, not just the one recruiting me, so I really liked that. That showed that they were all interested in me. The academic side was also really important to me; I wanted to make sure I had somewhere where I can focus on my studies. I am going to play with energy and effort, those are always two things I’ll show when I’m on the court.”

Taliyah Wyche on her commitment…
“I’m very excited, Florida has always been my dream school. My mom is a Gator grad and she’s always spoke really highly of the school, plus I really connected with the coaching staff. The vibe I got from the coaches really stood out, they were honest with me, and you don’t always find coaches like that. It’s really special for us to play together, since we were younger we were always saying we were going to go to the same college, so to actually be here and do it is pretty special. It means everything to me to be able to represent Florida, it’s exciting for me and my family.”

Tatyana Wyche on her commitment…
“I knew I wanted to be a Gator after I went on my first visit. It was fun and I loved the coaching staff; we had a great bond with the coaches. I didn’t have a bond with any other coaching staff as much as I did with the coaches at UF. The coaches really showed they were interested in us and made us feel comfortable. Being from here, I am so excited to play at Florida. I love to play with Taliyah, it’s always been our goal to play together.”