The University of Louisville women’s basketball team picked up three new players and a blast from the past on Wednesday when it announced the signings of four players.

Louisville announced the signings to national letters-of-intent by 6-1 forward Candace Jackson, 6-1 forward Shakita Martin, 5-11 guard Connie Neal and 5-8 guard Marcia Alvarado to continue their basketball careers at U of L.

Jackson averaged 21.4 points and 11.1 rebounds last season at Palm Beach Lakes High School in West Palm Beach, Fla. She also averaged eight assists as well. Martin poured in 16.5 points per game for Memphis, Tenn.’s Kirby High School, in addition to grabbing 11 rebounds, dishing out four assists and blocking two shots per game last year.

Neal, a product of Louisville Male High School, averaged 16 ppg. last season and earned honorable-mention all-state honors as a junior. Alvarado played for the Cardinals as a freshman and transferred to Central Florida Community College for her sophomore campaign. So far, she is averaging 15 points and four assists per contest in leading CFCF to a 4-0 start to the 2001-2002 season.

"Candace is a strong wing player that has the ability to shoot the 3-point shot or post up p smaller guards," U of L head coach Martin Clapp said. "Shakita is a great athlete that can really the ball to the basket. Connie brings us the long range shooting we are losing with our current senior class. We are also looking forward Marcia joining is again. She will come back with a lot of playing experience from one of the top junior colleges in the nation.