PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's head women's basketball coach,
Mike McLaughlin, has announced his recruiting class for the upcoming 2022-23 season. Five young women—Saniah Caldwell, Georgia Heine, Helena Lasic, Ella Ray, and Simone Sawyer—will join the Quakers' women's basketball roster this season as freshmen.
"I am very excited to welcome the class of 2026 to Penn," said McLaughlin, who is the program's all-time winning coach (211) and enters his 14th season with the Quakers in 2022-23. "This group of student-athletes has demonstrated a high level of commitment to excellence and have a team-oriented mindset. They have competed at a high level both on the floor and in the classroom. They have the pedigree to help our program continue to excel in all areas across Penn and the greater Philadelphia area. We are excited to see them help continue the tradition of success of Penn Women's Basketball."
SANIAH CALDWELL
5-9 | Point Guard
Jacksonville, Fla. | Saddle River Day School (N.J.)
High School: Played at Saddle River Day School for Danny Brown … Team captain … Won New Jersey state championship in 2019 … Three-time sectional and county champions … Second-Team All-State … Two-time All-Bergen County … First-Team All-North Jersey … 2020 Defensive Player award at Tampa Bay Invitational and All-Tournament team … Won 84 games in high school, averaging 20.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, five assists, and 6.1 steals per game … Played AAU for New Jersey Sparks … Won Boo Williams and Rose Classic championships … Academic honor roll.
Personal: Daughter of Kenya and Isaiah Caldwell … Sister, Sydnei, is teammate at Penn … Mother is in the University of Tennessee Track & Field Hall of Fame as a sprinter and was a 1992 and 1996 Olympic Trials qualifier … Father is in Football Hall of Fame for Middle Tennessee State University, played inside linebacker in the NFL for 11 years, and is going on 14 years as a coach in the NFL, currently the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars … Will enroll in the Wharton School of Business.
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because of the great perspective it gave me on what my future could hold. I know that Penn will not only challenge me athletically, but also academically. I am excited for the new city, coaches, and teammates."
Coach McLaughlin on Saniah: "Saniah is a very good athlete who can play both guard positions. She is a wonderful teammate and a selfless player. It is going to be very special to see Saniah and Sydnei wear the Penn uniform together this season!"
GEORGIA HEINE
6-0 | Guard
Spring Lake Heights, N.J. | Manasquan
High School: Played for Manasquan … Team captain … Four-time Central Jersey Group 2 state champions … Overall Group 2 state champions in 2022 … Two-time North champions … Ranked No. 1 public team in New Jersey, No. 3 team overall in state … All-State Second Team … Three-time All-Division … All-Short First Team … Jersey Sports Zone First Team … State All-Star … Shore Conference All-Star … All-Freshman team … Played AAU for Team Rio University … Top 25 in class at Manasquan … Valedictorian of academy of health careers … Varsity Scholar award … National Honor Society … Athletic Leadership Club.
Personal: Daughter of Bern and Brian Heine … Will enroll in the College of Arts & Sciences for kinesiology.
Why Penn? " I chose Penn because of the welcoming atmosphere between the coaches, players, and campus. Not only am I getting the best education, but I also get to play high level basketball with some amazing people. Penn was the best option both on and off the court, and I am so excited for the next four years."
Coach McLaughlin on Georgia: "Georgia is a very versatile guard who has a high basketball IQ. She does a lot of things well and is extremely competitive. Her experience playing for a very good high school program will help her as she transitions to the college level. I look forward to getting her on the court here at Penn."
HELENA LASIC
6-4 | Forward
Brampton, Ontario | Westtown School (Pa.)
High School: Played at Westtown School for Fran Burbidge … Won Westtown's first PAISAA championship in 2022 … Friends League champion … 2021 Independent Schools champion at New Hope Academy … 2019 Union Country champion at The Patrick School … Invited to Stephen Curry Underrated Invitational in California … Canlettes All-Canadian team … Biosteel All-Canadian team … 2021 Hoop Group All Second Team … 2020 NACA All First Team … Cross Border All-Star game in Puerto Rico … Canlette's All-Star game … Selected to Team Ontario U15 in 2018 … 2018 Team Canada "Futures" Invitation … Sportsmanship Award at TRC Academy … Played AAU for DMV Lady Tigers … Academic Honor Roll … Academic Excellence award … Highest GPA for female athlete junior year.
Personal: Daughter of Senka Lasic … Will enroll in the College of Arts & Sciences.
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because I knew I could reach my full potential as an athlete, a student, and a person. The coaching staff has been recruiting me since I was a freshman and I have felt a genuine connection with them from day one. Not only is the coaching staff great but Penn is the best of both worlds for basketball and academics. As a woman in sports, I know how important my education is and Penn fulfills that with the bonus of having a world class basketball program. Also, when I first stepped foot on campus, I fell in love with the school and the city of Philadelphia. It was obvious to me that this was where I wanted to spend my next four years."
Coach McLaughlin on Helena: "Helena is skilled post player who comfortably uses both hands around the rim. She is a tremendous teammate, and we are excited about the depth she brings to the post position. I can't wait to watch her thrive her at Penn both on and off the court."
ELLA RAY
6-3 | Center
El Dorado Hills, Calif. | Oak Ridge
High School: Played at Oak Ridge for Steve White … League and Section champions for Sac Joaquin D1 Section … Two-time League champions at Capital Christian High School … Two-time Cal High All-State … Four-time All-League First Team … MVP selection for "The Optimist" All-Star game for top high school NorCal players … Ranked 15th in nation for blocks sophomore season with 195 … Ranked top 20 in blocks freshman year … Two-time Defensive MVP … Averaged 10 points, 11 rebounds, six blocks, and three assists per game senior year … Played AAU for YBA and Jason Kidd Select … Principals Honor Roll.
Personal: Daughter of Ramee and Alex Ray … Sister, Alexa, played basketball at George Fox University … Will enroll in the Wharton School of Business.
Why Penn? " I chose Penn because it had the whole package in what I was looking for in a school. Both academically and athletically, Penn stood out because of the level of prestige in both categories. I am always up for a challenge, and I know that by choosing Penn I will be pushed in every way. After meeting the coaches/ team, I knew I wanted to go because I felt instantly welcomed."
Coach McLaughlin on Ella: "Ella is a strong post player who is extremely competitive. She has a knack for rebounding and has a solid skill set around the basket. Ella brings great energy to our team both on and off the court. I am excited to watch her progression at the college level."
SIMONE SAWYER
5-11 | Guard
Lincolnshire, Ill. | Stevenson
High School: Played at Stevenson for Ashley Graham … Illinois State champion … Super Sectional champion … Sectional champion … Regional champion … North Suburban Conference champion … Dundee Crown Tournament champion … Two-time First Team All-State … Four-time North Suburban All-Conference … North Suburban Conference Player of the Year … Lake County News Sun Player of the Year … Four-time Daily Herald All-Area team … Three-time Lake County All-Area team … Pioneer Press All-Area team … Stevenson Female Athlete of the Year … Second all-time leading scorer in Stevenson history with 1,651 points … Record for most points in single season with 521 points … Record for most steals in single game with 11 … Tied for most field goals made in state championship with 11 … Played AAU for Illinois Elite and Full Package Athletics … Gold Honor Roll … Academic Honor Roll … English Communication award.
Personal: Daughter of Glory and Steven Sawyer … Sister, Aleeya, played soccer for Howard University … Will enroll in the College of Arts & Sciences for architecture.
Why Penn? "I chose Penn for a lot of reasons. The coaching staff, environment, culture, campus, and academics were reasons that I decided to call this place my new home. The opportunity to compete at a top institution was something that I couldn't ever pass up, and that I am so grateful for. The culture at Penn is second to none, and I cannot wait to be a part of it."
Coach McLaughlin on Simone: "Simone is a very good athlete who is an excellent three-point shooter. On the defensive end, she brings a high level of grit and toughness. Simone is a proven winner, experience a great amount of success during her high school career. I look forward to seeing Simone continue to flourish here at Penn."
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