EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball has signed Ariel Kirkwood, a 6-0 junior guard/forward from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who is transferring from Eastern Kentucky University.
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Kirkwood spent the last two seasons with EKU, making 26 starts in 60 games played. She averaged 6.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, shooting over 40 percent from the floor. Kirkwood also recorded over one assist and one block per contest.
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“We are very excited to welcome Ariel to our team and the USI family!” USI Women’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Stein said. “Ari’s experience at the D-I level and in the Ohio Valley Conference will be very beneficial to our team this year.”
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In the 2022-23 season, Kirkwood posted 5.7 points and 4.8 boards in 20.1 minutes per game. Kirkwood appeared in 31 games, making 12 starts. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native tallied a season-high 15 points on February 18 against the University of Central Arkansas. Kirkwood entered the Colonels’ top-10 list for career blocks last season.
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“Ari’s versatility as a player will be seen on both offense and defense, which will help her make an immediate impact with our team,” Stein added. “Ariel is an elite shot blocker who can defend anywhere on the court. Ari can make plays on the perimeter and in the paint on the offensive end, and she fits perfectly into our style of play.”
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Prior to Eastern Kentucky, Kirkwood played two seasons at Morehead State University. In her sophomore season, Kirkwood averaged double figures and ranked top-25 nationally in blocks and blocks per game. Kirkwood was named the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year in her freshman season, second-team All-OVC, and OVC All-Newcomer. She scored over 10 points per game and tied a Morehead State freshman record with 82 blocks, the seventh-highest single-season total in the Morehead State record book.
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Kirkwood played her prep basketball at Vincent High School in Milwaukee, scoring over 1,500 points during her high school career. She was named an Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention. Kirkwood also lettered in volleyball and track in high school and graduated in the top 10 of her high school class.
