Wednesday, September 11, 2002

Russo lands Notre Dame transfer

lorida International women's basketball head coach Cindy Russo has announced that former Notre Dame guard Allison Bustamante has enrolled in classes at the university and will practice with the team during the 2002-03 year.

Bustamante played in 24 contests for the Fighting Irish in 2001-02, averaging 4.6 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. The 6-0 sharpshooter also connected on 45-percent (21-47) of her attempts from behind the three-point arc.

A native of Miami, Bustamante owns the career scoring mark at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy with 2,487 points. She averaged 24.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists in her final scholastic campaign while leading the Bobcats to a 20-9 record. Bustamante earned honorable mention All-America honors from Street & Smith's following her junior and senior seasons. She also picked up first-team Miami/Dade County accolades her final year.

"I've watched [Allison] since she was a little girl," said Russo. "I think she has a real sophistication for the game. She's a very smart player who loves the three-point shot."

Because of NCAA rules regarding Division I transfers, Bustamante must sit out the 2002-03 season but is allowed to practice with the team. Russo believes that the guard will benefit from the transfer rule.

"I think it's a real luxury for a player to be able to sit out a year, learn the system and then start playing," said Russo.