| Erica Solomon |
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OVERVIEW:
Physical post player whose biggest contributions as a freshman may come in the rebounding column ... relentless worker on the blocks with long arms and good core strength to hold position in the paint ... uses deceptive quickness and agility to block or alter shots, further bolstering the defensive back line ... also could be counted on for production in presses ... has effective array of offensive post moves, while also displaying a solid mid-range shot ... will add depth and versatility to the Irish lineup this season.
HIGH SCHOOL:
Averaged 12.0 ppg., 9.0 rpg. and 4.0 bpg. as a senior at Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills, Mich., playing for coach Frank Orlando ... helped Yellowjackets to 25-1 record and 2008 Class B state title, in addition to state semifinal appearance in 2007 ... not often seen by recruiting services because Michigan had fall basketball season prior to 2007-08 ... ranked 18th in nation (fifth among power forwards) by Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report ... ranked 52nd in nation by Blue Star Basketball ... ranked 68th in nation by All-Star Girls Report ... ranked 70th in nation/four-star player (seventh among posts) by ESPN Hoopgurlz ... two-time Street & Smith's preseason honorable mention All-America selection ... 2008 Associated Press Class B Co-Player of the Year (with fellow Notre Dame freshman Kellie Watson) ... runner-up for 2008 Michigan Miss Basketball ... 2008 Detroit News Dream Team ... four-time all-state selection (first team in 2006 and 2008) ... four-time all-county selection ... team was ranked regionally or nationally in USA Today Super 25 poll each of her three seasons ... limited much of junior season while recovering from knee injury (torn ACL in February 2006) ... as a sophomore in 2005-06, averaged 15.0 ppg., 12.0 rpg. and 5.0 bpg. for DCDS ... won 2004 Class C state title as freshman at Saint Martin de Porres High School before school closed and she transferred to Detroit Country Day ... played AAU ball for Motor City Suns, where she was coached by Willie Riley ... also competed in high jump during stay at Detroit Country Day, setting school record (5 feet, 6 inches).
PERSONAL DATA:
Born Nov. 10, 1989, in Charleston, W.Va. ... youngest of three children ... sister, Stephanie, played basketball at Saint Louis ... brother, Christopher, played football at Northwood (Mich.) ... daughter of Debbie Solomon ... comes from same high school as NBA standouts Chris Webber and Shane Battier ... attended Saint Martin de Porres High School with current Irish senior wide receiver David Grimes during her freshman year ... pairs with fellow freshman Kellie Watson to give Notre Dame 16 women's basketball players from the state of Michigan in program history (second only to Indiana's 18 players) ... Solomon and Watson are first Michigan natives to join Irish since Ann Arbor resident (and Huron High School graduate) Julie Henderson suited up from 1996-2000 ... enrolled in First Year of Studies program at Notre Dame ... only the second player in program's history to wear No. 1, following in the footsteps of recently-graduated point guard Tulyah Gaines (2004-08).
