July 9, 2012
SEATTLE - The Washington women's basketball program added another player to its incoming 2012-13 class with the signing of Denmark native Mathilde Gilling to a National Letter of Intent, according to head coach Kevin McGuff. The 6-3 Gilling will provide the Huskies with depth in the front court, a position that suddenly came into need following the graduations of Regina Rogers, Mackenzie Argens and Mollie Williams. McGuff had a firsthand look at Gilling when she played with the Danish National Team against the Huskies during an August 2011 exhibition game in Hørsholm, Denmark. "We're excited to welcome Mathilde into our program," McGuff said. "She brings a lot of basketball savvy and athleticism to the frontcourt. I was impressed when we saw her last summer on our European tour and felt right away she'd be a positive fit in our system." Gilling comes to UW from the Danish coastal town of Rungsted Kyst, located just north of Copenhagen. The 19-year-old Gilling has a decorated career not just at the club level, but also while representing Denmark internationally. She has been a steady presence for Hørsholm Basketball Club, which finished second in the Danish League last season. Gilling averaged 10 points and seven rebounds a game for the 79ers. Hørsholm won the Danish League in 2010, and has consistently been one of the better teams in the Nordic Region. "She has great hands, is very movable and runs the floor well," said Hørsholm coach Johan Enbom. "With her quickness she is very hard to guard for inside players." Gilling has also been a starter on the Danish U16 National team, and played at the European Championships in 2008 and 2009. She is spending her summer playing with the Danish U-23 team in China, a tournament that runs through July 18. Gilling is not the only member of her family to have success playing basketball. Her brother Jonathan will be a sophomore at Arizona State next fall, averaging 7.1 ppg in 16 starts. Her younger sister Caroline is also a standout player in Denmark. |
