Bowie Native to Play Basketball at GW

After being named America East Rookie of the Year while playing basketball for UMBC last year, 5-foot-5 sophomore point guard Lauren Chase of Bowie is transferring to George Washington University this spring, and eligible to play in fall 2013, according to a press release.

During her first season of college basketball, the Riverdale Baptist graduate averaged 8.4 points and 4.6 assists, leading the league in assists. Through the first eight games of this season, chase averaged 13 points and 4.3 assists, stated the release.

"Lauren will have an opportunity to help us at the point guard position after her experiences at UMBC," said GW women’s basketball coach Jonathan Tsipis. "Lauren achieved Rookie of the Year status last year and continued to improve her game this season. She has a great feel for the game, and I think she will continue to develop her point guard skills under the watchful eye of (associate head coach) Megan Duffy and Diane Richardson."

As a high school junior, Chase led Riverdale Baptist to the No. 1 ranking in the Washington area. She was also three-time Washington Post All-Met honorable mention and was rated the No. 57 point guard in her class by ESPN HoopGurlz.

Chase is being joined by former Riverdale Baptist teammate 6-foot-4 Jonquel Jones of the Bahamas, who is transferring from Clemson.

"We are very excited that JJ and Lauren are becoming members of our GW women's basketball family," said Tsipis. "They will be great ambassadors to the university with their academic and athletic abilities, as well as their contagious personalities.”

Both players will be eligible to begin playing in the fall. Chase will have two years of eligibility remaining and Jones will have three, according to the press release. 

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