ANCHORAGE – The Alaska Anchorage women's basketball team completed its 2021-22 roster Tuesday with some local flavor as head coach Ryan McCarthy announced that former Grace Christian High School star has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Seawolves.

A 5-9 guard, Binder was the 2021 Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches 3A Player of the Year for the Grizzlies. She also earned all-tournament honors at the Joe T. Classic in her final prep campaign and was an honorable mention selection for the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame's Pride of Alaska Youth Award. Binder was an AABC Second Team All-State selection in both her sophomore and junior seasons.

"We are excited to add Tessa to our roster for this upcoming season. She is a good athlete who has a strong work ethic and I think her best basketball is ahead of her," said McCarthy, whose program will chase its seventh consecutive Great Northwest Athletic Conference regular-season title this winter. "We have had a number of young ladies from Alaska who have dreamt of being a Seawolf. This, along with strong work ethics, turned those athletes into very good players and ultimately champions. Tessa made it clear this was her dream program, and I am confident she has the ability to follow in those footsteps."

Binder's addition gives the Seawolves six Alaskans on their current roster, alongside junior Jahnna Hajdukovich (Anchorage/Dimond), freshman Elaina Mack (King Cove), freshman Sunny Pedebone (Anchorage/Anchorage Christian), junior Nicole Pinckney (Chugiak) and senior Tennae Voliva (Anchorage/East).

Binder becomes the fifth member of UAA's 2021 recruiting class, joining fellow incoming true freshmen Sunny Pedebone (5-8, F, Anchorage/Anchorage Christian Schools) and Taysia 'Tubby' Tovia (5-8, F, Las Vegas, Nev./Liberty HS), along with transfers Jazzpher Evans (5-6, G, Shorewood, Ill./Joliet West HS/Quincy) and Miyah Lewis-Hampton (6-0, F/C, San Francisco, Calif./Leadership HS/San Jose State).