OVC Freshman of the Year is transferring to ASU

Arizona State University head women's basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne today announced that Katie Hempen will be transferring to ASU to study and play basketball.

A 5-8 guard, Hempen will be transferring to ASU from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where last season she was named the Ohio Valley Conference's Freshman of the Year.

Per NCAA transfer rules, Hempen will not be eligible to compete for ASU until the 2013-14 season, however will be able to practice with the team next season and will have three years of remaining eligibility.

"Katie is a tough, aggressive and skilled guard who will be a tremendous addition on and off the court," Turner Thorne said. "Her incredible competitive spirit and desire to be the best are exemplified in her being on the honor roll and her willingness to sacrifice her body by taking charges every game.

"Katie is fun-loving off the court, but a ferocious competitor every time she steps on the floor. We are thrilled to have her join our family and know, despite having to sit our for a year, she will immediately work with her teammates to help elevate our program back to an elite level."

A participant in every one of SIUE's 30 games last season, Hempen finished second on the team in scoring (9.7 ppg), third in steals (1.3 spg) and 3-point field goals (28) and fourth in assists (1.6 apg). In addition, Hempen showed a knack for getting to the free throw line on a consistent basis as she was second on the team in free throw attempts (86) and first on the team and second in the OVC in free throw percentage (86.0).

A four-time OVC Freshman of the Week honoree, Hempen scored in double figures 15 times last season, including a season-best 19 points on two occasions.

Prior to signing with SIUE, Hempen had a brilliant prep career at Highland High School in Highland, Ill., where she was a two-time All-Mississippi Valley Conference selection. A two-time team MVP, Hempen surpassed 1,000 career points during her junior season and would go on to finish as Highland's all-time leading scorer.