Wasilla senior Division I bound

WASILLA — At 6-foot-3, Leya DePriest has provided a big presence on the basketball court.

And her basketball goals have been even bigger.

Earlier this week, the Wasilla High School senior realized one of those goals.

DePriest will play Division I basketball.

Surrounded by friends, family, coaches, teachers and teammates, during a ceremony at Wasilla High Nov. 17, DePriest signed her National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Denver and play for the Division I Pioneers.

“It’s pretty exciting. It’s been my dream since I was a little girl,” DePriest said. “It’s nice to see it come true. I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

DePriest verbally committed to Denver more than a month ago and the paperwork has been signed, but DePriest said it all hasn’t quite set in yet.

“I know it’s going to happen, but it hasn’t completely sunk in,” DePriest said. “I’m still in shock.”

DePriest sifted through offers from a handful of Division I programs. And other than Division II power UAA, Division I was her focus.

“My overall goal since I was a kid was going Division I,” said DePriest, who also considered schools such as Hawaii, Boise State and Long Beach State.

Denver, ultimately, was the best fit, she said.

“I have family in Denver. I like the program. I felt comfortable around the coaches. I thought I fit in the program nicely,” DePriest said.

At 6-3, DePriest is taller than any player currently on the Pioneers roster. DePriest was one of four women’s basketball players to sign with Denver this month, according to a press release issued by the Denver athletics department. The group also includes a pair of guards, a guard/forward combo.

“First of all, Leya has infectious energy off the court and she plays with the same pep on the court. She is a force inside, extremely vocal, and has a tremendous upside. Not only does she bring powerful size, but she brings great athleticsm as well. We see her as an immediate impact player in the Summit League,” Denver head coach Kerry Cremeans said in the press release.

DePriest, who attended Palmer High School as a freshman and a sophomore, is a three-time first-team All-Northern Lights Conference selection. As a junior, DePriest was named first-team All-NLC and first-team all-state after helping lead the Warriors to the NLC title and a fourth-place finish at the 4A state tournament. DePriest averaged 13 points and 11 rebounds per game as a junior.

Wasilla head coach Jeannie Hebert-Truax said she believes DePriest has a high ceiling, and great potential for success at Denver.

“I think she’s going to be successful. She’s a hard worker, willing to put in the time to get better,” Hebert-Truax said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.