JONESBORO, Ark. (4/24/12) – Arkansas State head women's basketball coach Brian Boyer announced Tuesday that Memphis Central High School standout Jalen O'Bannon has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her basketball career at ASU.

O'Bannon, a 6-1 forward, averaged 7.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocked shots during her senior season, helping the Warriors to their fourth consecutive District 16 AAA championship and tournament championship.  Central posted a 49-1 District 16 AAA record during O'Bannon's four seasons.  During her senior season, she was also named to the Region 8 all-tournament team after helping Central to the Region 8 championship and the Substate championship. 

The Warriors also advanced to the state tournament in all four of O'Bannon's seasons, winning the Class AAA title during her junior year. She was the recipient of the Warriors' sixth-man award following the 2011 title run.  Central also captured the Region 8 and Substate championships in four consecutive seasons with O'Bannon as a member of the team.

“I am excited to finally get Jalen signed,” said Boyer.  “We have been recruiting her for some time now and even offered her back in the fall.  Jalen is a very gifted basketball player that has both good size and athletic ability.  She fits the motion offense very well because she is a post player that also has very good perimeter skills.”

“Central High School has been one of the most successful programs over the past few years, not only in Memphis, but it has been one of the best programs in the nation,” added Boyer.  “Coach Bray challenges her team and prepares them very well to make the adjustment to the college game.  We felt like with this recruiting class we had to get better physically, and Jalen helps us do that.”

A member of the Distinguished Honor Roll at Memphis Central, where she also played volleyball and ran track, O'Bannon is the daughter of Cheryl O'Bannon and was coached by Niki Bray at MCHS.