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July 22, 2001

Matt Brann
GoldandBlack.com

WebbNIKE
Sharika Webb finally made it official.

After months of speculation that the talented point guard from Indianapolis was leaning heavily toward Purdue, Webb told Coach Kristy Curry Sunday that she plans to become a Boilermaker.

"This was my best fit and I went with my heart," Webb told Gold & Black Illustrated. "I love the coaching staff, team and program. It was just the best place for me to go.

"It feels great knowing that I'm going to a great program and will be surrounded by people who care about the players not only on the basketball court but off the court as well. It feels good getting the decision out of the way because now there's less stress."

Webb, a 5-foot-7 guard from Cathedral High School, is ranked No. 36 nationally by All-Star Girls Report. She recently participated in the NIKE All-America Camp in Indianapolis. As a junior for Cathedral, Webb averaged 15.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. She helped lead the Fighting Irish to a 27-1 record and the Class 3A state title.

Winning a state title has given Webb the thirst for more championships. Last week in Indianapolis she told GBI how badly she wants to help get Curry and Purdue to the Final Four in 2005, when Indianapolis will host the event.

"I love Kristy," said Webb, who chose Purdue over Vanderbilt. "She's got a great personality and she cares about her players a lot. She's a great coach and she's done a great job at Purdue. Hopefully I can get her back to the Final Four in 2005 when it's held here in Indianapolis."

One of the deciding factors in Webb's decision to choose Purdue was the fact the school is very close to her home. That will provide her family with the opportunity to see her play in Mackey Arena.

"That was a big part of it," Webb said. "If I would have went far away I knew my mom wouldn't be able to come see me play. By Purdue only being an hour and 25 minutes away from my house, I know she'll probably be able to make almost every home game. I love to have my mom at my games cheering me on, so that was a big deal to me."

Webb becomes the third Boilermaker commitment for the Class of 2002. Indianapolis Warren Central 5-8 shooting guard Ashley Mays committed Feb. 15, and NorthWood (Nappanee, Ind.) High 6-2 power forward Carol Duncan gave Purdue a verbal pledge March 16.

Webb has known Mays for six years when they attended the same middle school, and the two have talked briefly about being roommates in college.

"We've talked about staying with each other at Purdue," Mays said. "On the court we have a lot of chemistry. It will be great to play with her and Carol throughout college."

Webb recently had the opportunity to become better acquaintances with Duncan when they were both members of the junior all-stars core team. Webb and Duncan faced off on the basketball court two years earlier when Duncan's NorthWood team defeated Webb's Cathedral squad in the state finals in 1999.

Webb said she's excited about the opportunity to play at Purdue with two other in-state products.

"It feels good knowing I'm going to be going into different surroundings but I'll know some of the people coming to Purdue with me," Webb said. "I think that will help me out a lot with the adjustment. It's going to be great playing with both of them."

With a point guard secured for the recruiting class, the Boilermaker coaching staff will likely put much of its effort into landing a small forward and a center.

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