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Texas Tech University announced Tuesday that the school has signed Bellport’s record-shattering basketball star Arella Guirantes.
A highly-touted prospect who garnered national attention after scoring 58 points in a single game against Kings Park her senior year, Guirantes is currently attending IMG Academy, a prep school in Florida.
She averaged 33 points, 13 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3 steals and 2.6 blocks per game at IMG Academy last season. In Bellport, Guirantes amassed 2,251 total varsity points, a record for the program — among boys and girls.
She told greaterpatchogue.com on Tuesday that she was torn between Texas Tech and LSU, and didn’t know until April 30 which she would pick.
That decision came after much discussion with her parents and mentors, right down to the last day.
“They’re both amazing schools, but after breaking down each we figured Texas Tech was a better fit for what I wanted to do my freshman year,” she said. “The coach, she really understands me as a scorer. I don’t want to be averaging 5 points as a freshman.”
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“Arella is an elite scorer,” said Texas Tech head coach Candi Whitaker. “She has the ability to score at all three levels and has great instincts on both ends of the floor. I love her versatility and passion for the game.
“We could not be happier to have Arella be part of the Lady Raider family.”
Guirantes, a 5-11 guard, is the No. 44 player in the nation, according to ProspectNation and is the No. 17 wing in the 2016 class, according to ESPNU Hoopgurlz, a Texas Tech announcement reads.
She will have four years of eligibility.
Guarantees said her goal in a few years is to make a run at the WNBA draft, and a national championship — “I’m going to try for one of those, too,” she said.
Photo: Arella Guirantes with Texas Tech head coach Candi Whitaker. (Credit: Texas Tech Athletics)
