RECRUITING: Women’s hoops legend lands Gorman’s Dikes at San Francisco

Bishop Gorman girls basketball star Zhane Dikes found a perfect fit for her college future in basketball and academics.

Throw in a mentor like Jennifer Azzi, one of the greatest point guards in women’s basketball history, and Dikes knew her decision was a slam dunk.

Dikes made an oral commitment to San Francisco on Thursday, accepting a scholarship offer from Azzi, the Dons’ head coach.

“It’s really amazing,” Dikes said of playing for Azzi. “She’s done so much basketball-wise, and she can teach me how to be a better player.”

Azzi led Stanford to the 1990 NCAA title, won a gold medal with the 1996 U.S. Olympic team and played five years in the WNBA.

Not a bad coach and example for Dikes, who will be a senior wing for the Gaels next season. The 5-foot-9-inch Dikes said San Francisco recruited her as a combo guard.

San Francisco extended an offer to Dikes in April. Other schools to show interest included Loyola Marymount, San Diego, UNR, Portland State, Eastern Washington, Oregon and Arizona State.

“It feels amazing to settle down and know what I’m doing,” said Dikes, also a standout for the Vegas Elite summer team. “I can focus on high school ball now.”

Dikes averaged 12.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game last season. She led the Gaels (24-7) to the Class 4A state semifinals on her way to second-team all-state honors.

The senior said Gorman is motivated to reclaim the state basketball throne after losing 58-53 to Liberty in last season’s state semifinals. The Gaels won the state title in 2009-10.

“Next year we all just want to put our egos aside and come together as a team,” Dikes said. “I believe we have the talent and tools, and we can put it together and win.”