Elsnitz, Heide Join Cal's Highest-Ranked Class Since 2009

By Cal Athletics

April 15, 2020

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BERKELEY – Head coach Charmin Smith announced Wednesday the signing of Alma Elsnitz and Sela Heide to the 2020-21 California women's basketball team. Named the No. 6 ranked recruiting class in the fall by espnW Hoopgurlz rankings, the addition of Elsnitz and Heide brings the Golden Bears' highest-ranked recruiting class since 2009 up to six members.

Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, Elsnitz joins the Golden Bears after most recently winning the Basketettan League with RIG Lulea in the fall. The 5-foot-11 guard averaged 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Alma also comes to Cal with a number of years of international playing experience with the Swedish National Team. Last summer, she led her team to a bronze medal at the Nordic U18 National Championships, won the title of the Swedish U19 Championships the month before, and finished fourth at the European Championships B in Skopje, North Macedonia.

"It means everything to me to become a Bear," said Elsnitz. "It is definitely like I'm about to live my dream and I'm so excited to be a part of this amazing squad. I truly look forward to the years to come with my new family! Go Bears!"

Three years prior in 2016, Alma won the Swedish Championship Finals, was named Most Valuable Player, earned a spot on the All-Star Team, and earned the Skuru Basket Sigge Bjorkdahl Award for Player of the Year. She was also the leading scorer of the Swedish team that year with an average of 17.3 points per game.

"Alma brings an aggressive tenacity on both ends of the floor," said Smith. "She can create off the dribble and knock down open shots, as well as pick up 94 feet and defend multiple positions."

Standing at 6-foot-7, Sela Heide is a four-star recruit center and is ranked No. 89 on espnW's list of top-100 recruits. Heidi comes to Cal from North Bend, Wash., where she is set to graduate from Mount Si High School this spring. Heide put up big numbers on her varsity squad the last two seasons: this year, she averaged a double-double with 16.8 points and 11.4 points per game and produced an average of 2.6 blocks. Last season, she scored 12.5 points, produced 6.3 boards, and collected 2.8 blocks per contest while leading her team to the Wes-King District Tournament.

"I am excited to join the Cal family because it truly is a family who is committed to getting better every day and building each other up," said Heide. "Being a Cal Bear means pushing yourself athletically, academically, and being a part of an amazing family!"

"Sela brings great size to our roster and has an exceptional touch around the basket," said Smith. "Her length will help to alter shots on the defensive end as she anchors the paint."

Elsnitz and Heide join Delayah Daniels, Ornela Muca, Michelle Onyiah, and Fatou Samb who committed to Cal in November. Altogether, the class features three five-star recruits: Daniels (Seattle, Wash./Garfield High School), Onyiah (Eastvale, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt), Samb (Houston, Texas/Westside High School), one four star recruit: Heide (North Bend, Wash./ Mount Si High School), and two international players: Muca and Elsnitz who played for the Albanian and Swedish national teams respectively.

"Our 2020 class is comprised of student-athletes who are truly gifted as basketball players and who understand the value of a Cal degree," said Smith. "Sela and Alma are the perfect additions to what was already the highest-ranked recruiting class at Cal since 2009."

For more updates and information on Cal women's basketball, follow the Bears on Twitter: (@CalWBBall), Instagram (@CalWBBall), and Facebook (Facebook.com/CalWBBall).

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Alma Elsnitz
Position: Guard
Height: 5-11
Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden
High School: Lulea Basketgymnasium
Club Team: RIG Lulea

International: Most recently a member of the Swedish U19 National Team…last summer, she led her team to a bronze medal at the Nordic U18 National Championships, won the title of the Swedish U19 Championships the month before, and finished fourth at the European Championships B in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Club Ball: Played for RIG Lulea… won the Basketettan League in the fall…averaged 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.5 steals per game.

Chose Cal Over: Cincinnati and Western Kentucky

Sela Heide
Position: Center
Height: 6-7
Hometown: North Bend, Wash.
High School: Mount Si High School
Club Team: Tree of Hope EYBL

High School: Averaged a double-double this season with 16.8 points and 11.4 points per game and produced an average of 2.6 blocks.

Chose Cal Over: Kansas, Illinois, Florida, Pepperdine, New Mexico, Texas Tech, and Montana State

What They're Saying: "Low-post prospect brings imposing size, shot blocking ability; defends the paint, alters shots, rebounds and initiates the fast break; emerging offensive game offers soft touch in the key; mobile in uptempo game; a stock-riser in the class of 2020." Dan Olson, espnW Hoopgurlz.