Rachel Antoniadou signs with Florida State University
Rachel Antoniadou has signed her National Letter of Intent to play for Florida State University (FSU).
The 5'9 point guard out of Clayton, Victoria will join the Seminoles in the 2015/2016 season as they look to build from this past season's impressive campaign.
Rachel Antoniadou | Photo Credit: Basketball Australia/Kangaroo Photos
Antoniadou was strongly considering the University of Nebraska - Lincoln after visiting their campus earlier this month, but it was a timely phone call from the Florida St coaching staff that put the Seminoles in consideration for the speedy point guard's services.
She spoke with us about her decision, and what she hopes to achieve in her time at FSU.
I was considering Nebraska, and after my visit there I got a phone call at the airport from FSU offering me a scholarship and I thought, 'why not check it out?'.
As a small point guard who excels at playing at a fast pace, as well as knocking down shots from the perimeter, Antoniadou cited the style of play - as well as the 'small town feel' - as something that played a significant role in her decision.
I ended up choosing FSU as I felt it was the school that was best suited to both my personality and style of play. The Seminoles play a fast game, and Tallahassee has a small town feel, which made it somewhere I could definitely see myself, coming from a small country town!
FSU was extremely impressive this past season, reaching the Elite Eight in the 2015 NCAA Women's Tournament. Antoniadou wants to help the team get one step closer to the illustrious NCAA Women's Championship.
As a team, we hope to achieve making it further than the Elite Eight this season. After finishing 7th overall and 2nd in the ACC, Coach Sue [Semrau] and the rest of girls are determined to make it to the Final Four, and so am I!
Antoniadou will be the first ever Australian to suit up for the Seminoles and will be looking to make the most of her time in the acclaimed program.
Personally, I just want to develop my game to a whole other level. I'll be training against, and playing with, one of the best guards in the league in Leticia Romero, so I'm hoping to learn a lot off of her!
Australian U19 Gems Squad, FIBA Oceania U19 Championships | Photo Credit: Basketball Fiji
Antoniadou helped lead Victoria to the U20's Australian Junior Championship earlier this year, as well as playing a key role for the Australian U19 Women's squad in the FIBA Oceania U19 Championships for Women at the end of last year - averaging 9.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 2.2 apg in that campaign.
Although she played a key role in the Australian U19 Women's squad at the end of last year, she was unfortunate not to be selected as a part of the 18-player squad for the upcoming Gems camp in May.
FSU Head Coach Sue Semrau spoke about her expectations of Antoniadou.
I love the versatility and basketball IQ that Rachel brings to the court. She is a great fit for our system and our system is a great fit for her. Even more importantly, she is driven and passionate about the game and her teammates. She is a young woman with strong character and vision. We are thrilled that she has joined the Seminole family!
Antoniadou will continue to compete with the Dandenong Rangers in SEABL competition before arriving at Florida State in preparation for the 2015/2016 season.