The Marquette women's basketball team will gain some size for the 2006-'07 season. That's because freshman Kelly Lam will transfer from Oklahoma to Marquette next season.

Although Lam will be able to join and practice with the team next year, she will not be allowed to play in any games, as per NCAA transfer rules.

The 6-foot-3 center will return to Wisconsin after playing for Brookfield East during high school. She will also continue a family tradition, for her father, Guy Lam, played for coach Al McGuire and helped Marquette win the NIT championship in 1970.

The younger Lam was recruited by Marquette coming out of high school, but ultimately chose Oklahoma.

"We were disappointed when she went to Oklahoma," assistant coach Michelle Nason said. "So we were very excited when she called us and was ready to come home."

Lam had an impressive pedigree in high school, scoring over 1,000 points in her career as well as being the two-time Greater Metro Conference Player of the Year. In her senior season, she averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Her first year at college proved to be a different experience. She played in only eight games for Oklahoma and averaged 1.4 points per game and 1.1 rebounds.

Still, that does not worry the Marquette coaching staff in the least.

"If you look across the board at the major universities in the major conferences, it takes a very special freshman to play a lot," Nason said. "You have a lot to learn."

Nason added that she is looking forward to the size and strength Lam will bring to the post, along with the immediate help she'll bring to practices.

"She will give us another physical presence in the paint," head coach Terri Mitchell said in a statement.

Next season will also give the Marquette coaches some time to refine her game.

"We will have a year to work with her and have her playing with and against our other posts," Mitchell said. "Kelly has an outstanding work ethic both on and off the courtt."

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on April 21 2005.