Indiana University Football gets a commitment from Edge Rusher Shamar Meikle
The 4th of July is known for patriotic celebrations and fireworks. Edge rusher Shamar Meikle set off a “boom” of a different kind, committing to the Indiana Hoosiers and joining the 2024 recruiting class for Tom Allen’s Hoosiers. The defensive end from Hollywood, Florida and Miramar High School chose the Hoosiers over offers from a long list of schools including Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, Western Kentucky, Liberty and Florida Atlantic and others. Meikle is 6’5” with a long frame and the Hoosiers have recruited him to play the Bull position in IU’s defense.
Meikle was productive for Miramar in 2022 with 42 tackles and 9.5 sacks plus one interception that he returned for a touchdown. The Bull position under Tom Allen continues to evolve and Meikle’s addition fits what the Hoosiers have been looking to add, lots of different-sized bodies but primarily guys with height and length. Meikle is a long, lean body that will be able to add 15-20 pounds to his frame when he arrives to Indiana. That would put him a position to use his speed to and length to provide pass rush for the Hoosiers while being versatile enough to defend in space or against the run. Meikle is the first player for the defensive front the Hoosiers have landed for the 2024 class so his addition is an important one.
Grace Berger Signs with team in Spain to play with in the WNBA Offseason
Former Indiana women’s basketball guard Grace Berger will play for Gernika KESB/Lointek Gernika Bizkaia, a Liga Femenina de Baloncesto team located in Gernika, Spain, for the 2023 season according to an official release from the organization. “It was very important for me to choose a good destination in my first experience in Europe and after speaking with many people I think I have chosen the better option,” Berger said in a translated release. Berger was selected by the Indiana Fever with the 7th overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft and has spent the season coming off of the bench. It’s commonplace for WNBA players to play internationally during the league’s offseason.
Gernika KESB’s head coach, Mario López, had high praise for Berger in the release announcing her signing. “Grace is a player who can play in the three outside positions, very skilled in handling the ball with great vision and passing ability, as well as being a constant shooting threat,” López said. The Liga Femenina, Gernika KESB’s current league, is the highest league of women’s professional basketball in Spain, multiple American players have signed with teams throughout its history.
Indiana Fever acquire Amanda Zahui B. from Washington Mystics in Exchange for Queen Egbo
The Indiana Fever announced Tuesday the team has acquired center Amanda Zahui B (pronounced Zow-EEE BEE) from the Washington Mystics. In exchange, Indiana agreed to trade forward Queen Egbo. In 12 games with the Mystics this season, Zahui B is averaging 2.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per game. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft by the Tulsa Shock has also played for the New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks in her 8-year WNBA career.
“Amanda’s versatility and ability to play the 4 and the 5 spot make her a great addition for the Indiana Fever,” General Manager Lin Dunn said. The 6-foot-5 center who played at the University of Minnesota joined the Swedish national team at age 13. Indiana travels to take on the Minnesota Lynx tonight at 8pm and tonight’s game will be broadcast on the official Indiana Fever Facebook page.
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