Nov. 17, 2011

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham women's basketball coach Stephanie Gaitley announced the signing of Samantha Clark (Neptune, N.J./St. Rose Girl's) to a national letter of intent on Wednesday. She will begin play at Fordham in the 2012-13 season.

Coach Gaitley commented on the signing: "Sam is a great start to the foundation we are trying to lay for Fordham women's basketball. She is a Top-100 recruit who will come in and help us immediately at the post position. Clark has great knowledge of the game and makes everyone around her better. She is the highest rated recruit we have had in 10 years. "

Clark, a 6-2 forward from Neptune, New Jersey, is a four-year varsity player at St. Rose Girl's High School where she was named First Team All-Division as a freshman, sophomore and junior by the Shore Conference's coaches.

In her first year at St. Rose, she averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds to help the team advance to the Shore Conference Final Four. Clark was selected to the All Tournament Team at the Marist Christmas Tournament and named MVP of the Monmouth Challenge. For her freshman year achievements, she was named Top Freshman, Third Team, All-Monmouth County and Third Team All Freshman-Sophomore, all by the Newark Star-Ledger. She was also named Freshman of the Year by Hoop Group.

Clark's sophomore year saw the accolades continue to grow. In addition to her Fist Team All-Division award, she took home a second-straight MVP of the Monmouth Challenge while Hoop Group named her First Team, All-Shore. Also, the Coast Star selected Clark as Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and her play was noted again by the Star Ledger as she was feted as Third Team Non-Public, Second Team All-Freshman-Sophomore and Second Team All-Monmouth County. The newspaper also labeled her as the "Top Sophomore in New Jersey".

Clark continued to improve as a junior while her play was again being recognized by the Star Ledger. The daily named her First Team All-Monmouth County, Second Team All-Non-Public and Third Team All-Junior. She finished her third season averaging 15 points and 5.2 rebounds per game and scored double-figures in 19 contests and recorded double-doubles in four. Her St. Rose team capped the season by winning their third consecutive division championship.

Currently a senior, Clark is a McDonald's All-American Honorable Mention standout. She is ranked 21st by ESPN at her position.

Clark has played AAU basketball with the Central Jersey Hawks since 2002. The team has won numerous awards including three Division 1 Championships (2006-08) and the Nike/US Junior National U17 Silver Division title in 2006. Nationally, the Hawks placed 7th in 2006, 9th in 2007 and 13th in 2005.