Michigan natives and AAU basketball teammates Chris Kutschinski and Michelle Harakas have signed National Letters of Intent for basketball with Illinois State University.
Kutschinski, a 5-10 guard, averages 18.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 3.0 steals per game. She also is a three-time all-stater in track interested in trying that sport at Illinois State as well. She is a senior at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Harakas, a 6-0 forward who lives in Redford, Mich., plays at Ladywood High School in Livonia, Mich. It's the same high school which produced former Illinois State basketball star Char Govan, who still is the No. 3 scorer and No. 4 rebounder in Redbird history.
Michigan girls prep basketball is a fall sport, so both players are nearing the end of their prep careers. Ironically, both play for prep coaches who played Missouri Valley Conference basketball: Crystal Westfield, Kutschinski's coach, played at Wichita State in the 1980s and Andrea Gorski, Harakas' coach, played at Bradley from 1988 to 1992.
Redbird coach Jenny Yopp thinks both players are winners.
"Michelle and Chris are currently beginning their district basketball tournaments and have already achieved great success thus far this season," said Yopp.
Yopp believes the fact that they have played together is a plus.
"It is certainly exciting for us to have two players who are already familiar with one another and their respective games," said Yopp. "Even more special is their opportunity to be teammates for four more years and build on the success they have already achieved."
name pronounced: kuh-CHIN-skee
HAIR-ah-kus
MICHELLE HARAKAS, 6-0, F
Redford, Mich. (Ladywood H.S., Livonia, Mich.)
HARAKAS NOTES: Honorable mention all-stater as a junior (senior prep season still in progress) ... all-area and all-league as a sophomore and junior ... averaged 14.8 points and 8 rebounds as a senior, 12 pts., 7 reb. as a junior and 12 pts., 3 reb. as a sophomore ... four-year varsity high school player whose teams got better every year: 12-12 as a freshman, 13-11 as a sophomore, 16-6 as a junior and 13-6 as a senior prior to post-season tournament play ... AAU teammate of fellow Redbird recruit Chris Kutschinski on the Motor City Blazer AAU team ... two-time all-Michigan AAU player ... also played high school soccer and was voted team's best defender as a junior ... played at the same high school as former Redbird star Char Govan, the No. 3 all-time scorer in ISU history ... prep coach Andrea Gorski played basketball at Bradley (and against Govan) from 1988-92 ... daughter of Greg and Corinne Harakas, with brother Mike and twin sister Melissa and younger sister Stephanie ... will join current Redbird freshman Beth Huston as ISU players with twin siblings ... her father played football at Grand Valley State ... major is undeclared ... full name is Michelle Louise Harakas, born Jan. 2, 1983 ... last name pronounced "HAIR-ah-kus."
QUOTING MICHELLE: "I really liked the people during my visit. The coaches are very encouraging. The campus is very safe and the people are very friendly. The players were very welcoming. The Missouri Valley Conference is very competitive. I'm excited for the opportunity to play for these coaches at this school."
Coach Jenny Yopp on Michelle Harakas:
"Michelle brings to our team a strong, physical presence inside who is a relentless rebounder and an efficient scorer inside and out. Her knowledge of the game and successful high school background combined with a mature, focused desire to achieve will help us continue to grow in our efforts to succeed. As a player and person, Redbird fans will embrace Michelle for her hustle, selflessness, work ethic and love for the game. An outstanding student, Michelle demands the best from everyone around her."
CHRIS KUTCHINSKI, 5-10, G
Ann Arbor, MI (Pioneer H.S.)
KUTSCHINSKI NOTES: Leads her team in scoring with 18.0 points per game (season still in progress), along with 7.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 3.0 steals per game ... her prep teams won district championships in 1998, 1999 and 2000, and a regional championship in 1998 ... AAU teammate of fellow Redbird recruit Michelle Harakas on the Motor City Blazers ... outstanding track athlete who has been all-state three times in 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays and part of 1998 and 1999 state championship teams ... also interested in participating in track at Illinois State ... her prep basketball coach, Crystal Westfield, is the No. 7 all-time scorer at Wichita State and played against Illinois State in college in the mid-1980s ... National Honor Society student and two-time academic all-stater for track and field ... daughter of Wayne and Sandy Kutschinski, with sister Sarah, who plays volleyball at Kent State ... her cousin, Harold Schock, played hockey at Michigan ... plans to major in special education ... full name is Christine Marie Kutschinski, born 4-29-83 ... last name pronounced koo-SCHIN-skee.
QUOTING CHRIS: "The minute I stepped on campus, I felt really comfortable. The coaches were great and the players were awesome. When I found out that the special education program was nationally recognized, it seemed like the school was a perfect fit for me in every way. I've never seen a college area better than that one. I can't wait to play there. We talked about it when we first realized we both were being recruited by Illinois State, but we made our decisions independently. She decided first. I love defense and I love to run, so the Illinois State style was just what I was looking for."
Coach Jenny Yopp on Chris Kutschinski:
"Our '94-40' game plan will be greatly enhanced by Chris' athleticism, speed and desire to compete. She is a tremendous athlete, a tenacious defender, and an unselfish player who compliments and enhances our current team. With the ability to score from beyond the arc and a quick first step past her defender, Chris will certainly create challenges for her opponents at both ends of the floor. An excellent student with a work ethic that is contagious, Chris will be a Redbird favorite during her tenure."
