VYPE Live - Fort Bend: Willowridge vs. Northside

Being a five-star, national recruit Fatou Samb could pretty much choose anywhere in the country to play at the next level.

The Westside senior's final Top 5 included Rice, Harvard, Michigan, Wake Forest and Cal Berkeley.

In the end, the No. 53-rated women's basketball prospect in the country, according to ESPN, decided "California is Home."

"Now that it's over, it feels like a huge release," Samb told VYPE. "I'm glad that it's not too heavy on my shoulders anymore but I can honestly say I learned a lot from this blessed experience. I can now focus on the senior season/year ahead, working to strength relationships, and getting better! Would also like to thank all the Coaches along the recruiting process that took time to recruit me and my family! I'm so excited for my time with the Bears!"

Samb based her decision on three values – academics, relationships and basketball development.

Cal Berkeley checked the boxes when it came to all three categories.

"Academically, their business school (the field I want to major in) and undergraduate program is the best in the nation with plenty of connections that would be helpful because basketball is bound to stop at some point," Samb said. "Relationship wise, all schools were great however I felt a deeper connection with Berkeley staff. From our conversation, I could feel their want to make me a better person in all aspects of my life and help me reach new heights. Also, the team was easy to vibe with and oh we're cold basketball wise, I trust and believe Coach Charmin and the staff have what it takes to help me reach my potential and further!"

Samb enters her senior season at Westside trying to get back to at least the Regional Finals, which the Wolves fell short in a year ago to Summer Creek.