RECRUITING: Centennial’s Byrd commits to Portland

Centennial girls basketball star Alexis Byrd gave an oral commitment to the University of Portland on Wednesday night.

Byrd, a senior guard, chose the Pilots over scholarship offers from Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. She made official visits to all three schools.

“When I took my visit, I really liked the school and the different programs they had to offer,” Byrd said.

Portland finished second in the West Coast Conference last season at 10-4, and was 17-14 overall. The Pilots reached the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, where they suffered a 57-51 first-round loss at Portland State.

“I’m going in there thinking I have to work hard to get playing time,” Byrd said. “The coach (Jim Sollars) said, ‘As long as you play hard and you deserve your spot,’ and that’s what I’m going off of.”

Byrd sank two free throws with 0.5 seconds remaining in last year’s Class 4A state title game to give Centennial a 59-58 win over Bishop Gorman.

She averaged 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists to help the Bulldogs (32-2) to their first state title since 2005.

The 5-foot-10-inch Byrd said Portland envisions her as a combo guard, which Centennial coach Karen Weitz said should fit her strengths.

“She’ll be able to step in and play for them right away,” Weitz said. “She adds a lot of versatility as a big guard. She’s well-rounded.”

 

Players are not bound by oral commitments. Byrd can sign a national letter of intent starting Nov. 11.

She joins Gorman guard Aaryn Ellenberg (Oklahoma) and Silverado guard Shea Collins (IUPUI) as locals to have committed so far.