LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville women's basketball team and head coach Jeff Walz is pleased to announce that the Cardinals have signed four members to their 2024 class during the early signing period.
The Cardinals have added 5-foot-10 guard Tajianna Avant-Roberts (La Jolla, Calif.), 5-foot-9 guard Izela Arenas (Porter Ranch, Calif.), 6-foot-4 forward Anaya Hardy (Detroit, Mich.) and 6-foot-4 forward Isla Juffermans (Coffs Harbour, Australia).
"Jeff Walz and the Louisville Cardinals are on pace for another Top-10 recruiting class having four commitments thus far and still in the hunt for other Top-100 prospects," said Chris Mennig of Easy Everyday Recruiting. "Whether more show up or not, the group that Walz and his staff have put together will continue to keep them firmly a part of the national scene."
Since taking over in 2007, Walz and his staff have signed 15 McDonald's All-Americans – with this year's honorees yet to be announced.
Tajianna Avant-Roberts, Guard, La Jolla, Calif (IMG Academy (FL))
Tajianna Avant-Roberts comes to Louisville from IMG Academy in Florida. She is a five-star prospect and is ranked No. 25 overall and the eighth-ranked guard by espnW HoopGurlz. She chose the Cardinals over Kentucky, Duke, California, and Virginia Tech.
This past September, she guided Team South to a championship at the 2023 Nike World Basketball Festival.
Prior to her senior year, she played for La Jolla Country Day. In her junior season, she led La Jolla to their third CIF title in four years and earned a top five national ranking by Max Preps. She averaged 14 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists a game in her junior season with La Jolla.
What they are saying about Tajianna Avant-Roberts
"Taj emerged as one of the best guards in the country as her stock continued to rise after her consistent performances on the summer circuit. Her work ethic, determination and confidence was showcased in July as she was a big part in helping her club team win the Nike National Championship. Taj has great size, and in addition to her ability to attack the rim, her range is unlimited on the perimeter! Her length and agility will aid in being a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well." - Louisville head coach Jeff Walz.
"Perhaps the most explosive prospect in the class of 2024, the high-flying Avant-Roberts provides an exciting finishing act in transition. A superb anticipator on defense, a disruptor. Also an adept scorer with range behind the arc, Tajianna's best basketball is in front of her." - Dan Olson, Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
"Athletic guard with a scoring mentality. Can create off dribble, pull-up jumper. Has really improved her game with her athleticism. Can get to the basket and finish." - Harry Elifson, Preferred Athlete Scouting Services
"Tajianna leads this class as a 5'10 scoring guard that scores in multiple ways and has a strong upside with pro potential in the future." - Chris Mennig, Easy Everyday Recruiting
Izela Arenas, Guard, Porter Ranch, Calif. (Sierra Canyon)
Izela Arenas joins the Cardinals from Sierra Canyon, one of the best high school programs in the country. She is a four-star prospect and is ranked No. 93 overall by espnW HoopGurlz. She chose the Cardinals over Oregon, Arizona and Iowa State among others. She is the daughter of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, who played 12 seasons in the NBA.
In her junior season at Sierra Canyon, she led them to a 31-1 record and they were the No. 1 ranked team in the country for the majority of the season. This past May, she won the Queen of the Court event, which is a one-on-one showcase with some of the top female basketball players in the country.
What they are saying about Izela Arenas
"Izela is a bona fide scorer on an elite high school team. She hunts shots and is creative off the bounce. She also is an unselfish teammate and a great facilitator on the break. Izela is a consummate gym rat and has a love affair with the game. She is a proficient scorer from the 3 point line and can also attack off the bounce. Her toughness and grit are unmatched, and she will no doubt light up a room with her presence!" - Louisville head coach Jeff Walz
"A lefty combo-guard with a green-light offensive attack. Has pedigree and a proven offensive threat that has competed on a national stage during high school and travel ball, Izela's ability lends itself to an uptempo, pressure style game." - Dan Olson, Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
"Athletic guard with a great ability to score off a variety of moves. Hard to guard in open court. Izela will be a force on both ends of the court. Can score off the dribble and shoot 3. A perfect fit for Coach Walz and the up tempo style of play." - Harry Elifson, Preferred Athlete Scouting Services
"Fellow west coaster and former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas' daughter, Izela Arenas is yet another proven winner that creates for others as well as she creates for herself." - Chris Mennig, Easy Everyday Recruiting
Anaya Hardy, Forward, Detroit, Mich. (Renaissance)
Anaya Hardy comes to Louisville from Detroit, where she plays for Michigan Elite and Renaissance high school. In her junior season at Renaissance, she led the team to a 24-2 record and advanced to the state semifinals. With her club this past spring and summer, she has averaged 7.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 49 percent from the field. She chose the Cardinals over Michigan and Syracuse.
What they are saying about Anaya Hardy
"Anaya is full of potential and athletic ability! She thrives in an up-tempo game and loves to rebound and get out in transition. She has quick hops which allow her to get rebounds off the glass and initiate the fast break. She has a long frame which lends to her ability to alter and block shots on the defensive side of the ball. So excited that she was the first of our commitments helping this class land as one of our best!" - Louisville head coach Jeff Walz
"Long and athletic, running under the radar on the national landscape, Hardy is a lefty that creates into the paint, battles on the weak side glass and can run, trap in pressure." - Dan Olson, Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
"Insider with excellent post moves. Will turn and face and will drive it from high post. Developing perimeter skills. Rebounds and runs the floor. Will be hard to guard on the offensive end with her speed and ability to do inside/outside play." - Harry Elifson, Preferred Athlete Scouting Services
"Anaya Hardy from Michigan has the most upside in this class as her raw athletic ability for her size (already can get rim high), can get anyone's attention as the sky's the limit." Chris Mennig, Easy Everyday Recruiting
Isla Juffermans, Forward, Coffs Harbor, Australia (Centre of Excellence Australia)
Isla Juffermans is a post player from Australia and has produced well with the Australian national teams over the past few years. In the summer of 2022, she averaged 10.3 points and 7.1 rebounds a game in the FIBA U19 World Cup. Also that summer at the U18 Asian Championships, she averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds a game and she scored 26 points and grabbed 15 boards in a game against China.
She was named MVP of the 2022 FIBA Under 18 Women's Asian Championship and played 22 games for the NBL One Australian League. In the NBL One, she averaged 16.6 points, 9.5 rebounds and shot 59.4 percent from the field.
What they are saying about Isla Juffermans
"Isla has been a mainstay on the international circuit as she has competed in the U19 World Games and was MVP of the U18 Asian Championships. She brings to us a wealth of experience against topflight talent across the globe. Isla will command a low block presence and will help us with her interior toughness. She is a very efficient scorer with her back to the basket and will provide us with a true low post game." - Louisville head coach Jeff Walz
"A deceptively quick block player with good hands, buries defenders to the rim, creates in the key. A valuable prospect to land, giving Louisville a rim protector with international experience." - Dan Olson, Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
"Strong insider with back to basket skills. Will post and seal. Rebounds both ends. A true post. Isla will be a perfect complement to the athletes Coach Walz puts on the floor." - Harry Elifson, Preferred Athlete Scouting Services
"Isla Juffermans from Australia (would be ranked between 30-50 if USA athlete) has a bounce in her step for her size and frame. Great touch around the rim and embraces contact. Comfortable with her back to the basket and she will complement Hardy's athleticism in the front court for sure." - Chris Mennig, Easy Everyday Recruiting
