Choctaw High School Superstar Signs with OU
Photography from NewsOK.com
Choctaw High School (CHS) has a basketball superstar in its midst and she is now on her way to being a star at the University of Oklahoma (OU).
Ana Llanusa, 17, and a senior at CHS signed her letter of intent to play basketball for OU Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Llanusa’s rise to athletic fame began her freshman year of high school when she was offered a scholarship from Sherri Coale, head coach for OU’s women’s basketball team. It had been Llanusa’s goal to play for OU since she was a young girl and with the offer, she announced her commitment. She hasn’t looked back since.
“I’m stoked. I’ve been waiting four years, and it’s been a long journey,” Llanusa said in the Choctaw Times.
She went on to say, “I didn’t give any consideration to anyone else. I’m 100 percent dedicated to OU.”
Of course, when a player has numbers like Llanusa’s, OU has gained a powerhouse. Since her freshman year, Llanusa has accumulated 1,635 points, averaging over 500 per season and 20 per game, with 457 rebounds, 192 steals and 249 assists, according to the Choctaw Times.
CHS head coach Ryan Maloney said that Llanusa’s loyalty is one of her greatest qualities.
“She committed young, and she’s had plenty of suitors come after,” Maloney told the Times. “She literally gets offended when you ask her, because she’s so dedicated to the decision she made as a 13-year-old. She made a decision, stood by it and today honors that decision.”
Maloney says that Llanusa may have her best season in Choctaw basketball history, besting her last three, and everyone’s watching to see what she’s going to bring to the court this year. Llanusa hopes to finish her high school career with a chance at the state title and leave behind her legacy at CHS, which is likely. She has already led her team to the state finals each year, landing a spot in the semifinals twice.
With her basketball talent, Llanusa has numerous accomplishments under her belt. She has held a spot on The Oklahoman’s Super 5 for three consecutive years, has been the Tournament of Champions MVP and has been MVP for multiple tournaments a countless number of times. She’s also been on The Oklahoman’s Big All-City Team.
Aside from her talent, and also her dedication to OU, Llanusa’s place at OU is quite fitting because not only does she come from a family of athletes, her family highly supports OU.
Her father Tony was a wrestler for OU when he was a sooner. Her mother was a gymnast and was Miss Oklahoma twice. Older brother Jonah played football and baseball for CHS and her younger sister also plays for the high school basketball team.
Maloney thinks Llanusa will be unstoppable even in college. Llanusa looks forward to playing for OU and hopes to be in the starting lineup, but also looks forward to personal growth as she continues her education and meets new people.
