Jan. 29, 2001

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Providence College Head Women's Basketball Coach Jim Jabir announced that Kacee Wheeler (Bakersfield, Calif./North HS) has transferred to Providence after a semester at Bakersfield Community College and a year at San Diego State University.

Wheeler, a 6'1" wing player, played the 1999-2000 season as a freshman at San Diego St. She averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 28 games. Wheeler scored a career-high 14 points against New Mexico (2/17/00), had a career-best of six rebounds in three games and notched a career-high five assists in a contest against BYU (2/12/00).

"Kacee is a tremendous player who can score facing the basket and with her back to the basket," Jabir said. "She should contribute next year in the spot that current senior Jen Gombotz fills right now, and be a major factor."

Wheeler transferred to Bakersfield Community College for the first semester of the 2000-2001 academic year before transferring to PC. She is currently enrolled in school at Providence and will become eligible to play for the Friars on the first day after the last exam of the 2001 first semester.

The Providence women's basketball coaching staff has already signed four players in the November signing period. The four previous signees are: 6'2" forward Jessica Simmonds (South Orange, N.J.), 5'6" point guard Keisha Blackwell (Baltimore, Md.), 6'0" forward Quiana Copeland (Boston, Mass.) and 6'1" wing player Gayle Nwafili (Mapplewood, N.J.).

The Friars return to action on Wednesday, January 31st when they travel to South Bend, Ind. to face the nation's #1-ranked team, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Game time is 7:00 p.m.