by Azusa Pacific women’s basketball head coach T.J. Hardeman has announced Amayah Kirkman (Acoma Pueblo) from Saguaro High School in Phoenix, Ariz., to the 2020-21 signing class.
Kirkman just wrapped up her final high school season at Saguaro High. As a senior with the Sabercats, Kirkman averaged 23.1 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, 4.8 assists per game, and 3.4 steals per game. Because of her outstanding performance, she was named the 4A Desert Sky Section Offensive Player of the Year, and she was an Arizona All-State First Team Selection. In the classroom, she was named to the President’s List with a 4.3 GPA, and was an Arizona All-State Academic First Team Selection. SHS finished 18-8 on the season, with a second place finish in 4A Desert Sky play with a 7-3 record against section opponents.
Prior to the 2019-20 season, Kirkman played for Lynwood High School in Bothell, Washington. As a sophomore, she was a second team All-Wesco 3A/2A selection. The next year as a junior (2018-19), she was an All-Wesco and All-Area First Team performer. Kirkman’s season earned her a spot in the 2018-19 Inter-Tribal Athletics All-Star Game, which is an event that features the top Native American high school basketball players from across the country. Through her mother, Kirkman traces her heritage to the Pueblo of Acoma. Not only did Kirkman represent the Pueblo of Acoma in the game, but she was named the MVP of the event.
“Amayah brings a number of great assets to the Cougars,” said Coach Hardeman, “She is equally effective as a point guard or shooting guard. Her basketball IQ is college ready, and she is a player that puts her arms around her teammates and knows how to build the kind of relationships needed for a successful program. Amayah will be a great fit in our strong family culture, and she will be a crucial part to the continued growth and development of it moving forward.”
For Kirkman, she is excited to be a part of Azusa Pacific, “I chose Azusa Pacific because I heard nothing but great things about the university’s academics and the personal growth that many have had in their journeys with God. I absolutely loved the positive family atmosphere and I wanted to be apart of it.”
