Peak joins Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE – Tom Collen and the University of Arkansas women’s basketball team announced the addition of Keira Peak for the 2010-11 season Wednesday.

Peak brings the total to four newcomers for Collen, who begins his fourth season this fall.

"We are ecstatic about signing Keira on the last day of signing," Collen said. "This is a young lady who never played on the summer club circuit and therefore has never been listed in any of the recruiting publications. In the end, that worked to our benefit because no one saw her until late her senior year. Georgia and Auburn saw her at the same time and all three of us offered her."

Peak is a first-team all-state selection from Clyattville, Ga. (near Valdosta). Listed as a power or strong forward for Lowndes High School, Peak played in 29 games averaging 22.0 ppg as a senior. Her career numbers include 83 games, 18.0 ppg, 3.0 apg and 12.0 rpg in four seasons.

In addition to her all-state honor, Peak most recently earned MVP honors at the North-South All-Star game. She is a first-team all-region selection as a senior after earning second-team honors as a junior.

Peak paced the Lowndes Vikettes to three consecutive 22+ win seasons and scored more than 1,200 career points. She grabbed more than 800 career rebounds and had 200+ steals.

"If Keira played on a high-profile AAU team, she would be listed in the top 50 in the country," Collen said. "Her athleticism is off the charts. She won the Georgia state high jump championship as a junior jumping 5-6. She just missed a dunk in a high school game this season and can easily dunk a volleyball. Her vertical has never been tested but we are guessing its 36" or better. She qualified for the finals in four events in the Georgia State Track Championships and could possibly compete in SEC track in the future."

Arkansas made a mini-run at the end of the 2009-10 season picking up a couple of late-season SEC wins and played nationally-ranked Vanderbilt to a thrilling overtime contest in the first round of the SEC Tournament in Duluth, Ga.

The Razorbacks graduated the services of seniors Charity Ford and Ashley McCray and are looking to make up for the lost offense and athleticism in this class.

"Athleticism aside, she is a warrior on the court and her basketball skills are improving daily," Collen noted. "We anticipate her playing at the forward position and immediately impacting us as a rebounder and a great defender. She is just a great young lady, high in character with a great work ethic.

Peak rounds out the spring signing period for Arkansas and completes a class of four newcomers for Collen and the Razorbacks.

"Combined with the signing of scoring guard Christassia Walters from Texarkana, Ark., point guard Yashira Delgado from Orlando, Fla., and the recommitment of Darshae Burnside of San Bernadino, Calif., we feel we have really improved our game for next season.

"We are still open to adding another post player via transfer or through international connections but feel pretty good about the four players we have," Collen continued. "They all showed signs of greatness last season, and we’re excited about what they will do for us in the coming seasons."