Girls’ basketball: Jordin Canada signs with UCLA, Kristen Simon with USC

Two seniors from L.A. Windward’s state runner-up team from last season, point guard Jordin Canada and 6-foot-1 Kristen Simon, signed with UCLA and USC, respectively, on Wednesday.

Canada, considered by many as the No. 1 point guard in the nation for girls’ basketball, is part of a UCLA recruiting class that could rank No. 1 nationally in talent.

The Bruins were also set to sign point guard Recee’ Caldwell from Texas; 6-2 Lajahna Drummer from Long Beach Poly; 6-2 Monique Billings from Corona Santiago, and 6-1 Kelli Hayes from San Jose Archbishop Mitty.

Canada, who led Windward to a 32-1 record as a junior and was the Southern California player of the year by The Times, said of Wednesday’s signing day, “It means everything to me. I’ve dreamed of this day, going to college, playing for a school. Luckily, I’m going to UCLA. I’m just very excited about this day.”

“Jordin is an automatic nightmare for any defense,” UCLA Coach Cori Close said.

Simon was so excited she thanked Kobe Bryant. “He couldn’t be here today,” she said.

“At least she didn’t thank Beyonce,” joked Coach Vanessa Nygaard.

Here’s the link to UCLA news release on its recruiting class.

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