SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State women's basketball coach Kellie Harper announced the addition of four high school standouts Wednesday (Nov. 12). Danielle Gitzen, Kyeria Hannah, Riley Rose and Grace Vander Weide will join the Lady Bears as freshmen for the 2015-16 season.

"This signing class really fits in nicely with our current team. First and foremost, this is a wonderful group of high-character people," Harper said of her second recruiting class. "They are the type of people you want to be around and will be great ambassadors for our program. They are thrilled about being Lady Bears. On the court, we are bringing in four players who are extremely competitive. Collectively, they can really pass the ball and will be great teammates."

Danielle Gitzen ? 5-10 ? G ? Victoria, Minn. ? Chanhassen High

Gitzen's senior season will be her third as the starting point guard for Chanhassen High outside Minneapolis, and she enters the year as a preseason all-state selection and a Miss Minnesota Basketball candidate. She averaged 15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 steals as a junior with game highs of 28 points and 14 boards, earning all-conference and team MVP honors while being named one of the top defensive players in Minnesota by Breakdown Sports USA. Gitzen started every game as a sophomore and helped the Storm to its third consecutive conference title while averaging 7.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.4 steals. Gitzen averaged 3.5 points and 2.7 boards on her conference-championship team as a freshman. She is also an all-conference volleyball player and a state track and field champion in several events.

Harper on Gitzen:

"Danielle Gitzen is a lanky, athletic combo guard with a high motor. She is aggressive to the basket and can see the open man in transition. We are excited about Danielle's ability to rebound and defend as well as play both the point and wing positions."


Kyeria Hannah ? 6-0 ? F ? Moore, Okla. ? Southmoore High

Hannah is coming off an honorable-mention all-state junior season in which she averaged 15 points and six rebounds for Southmoore High. The versatile forward averaged 12 points and six boards as a sophomore, helping the SaberCats to a 22-6 record and state tournament appearance for the first time in school history.

Harper on Hannah:

"Kyeria Hannah is a versatile, savvy player. She has range to the 3-point line and can score posting up or facing the basket. She handles the ball well for her position and plays with poise. Kyeria is physically strong and rebounds the ball well."


Riley Rose ? 5-8 ? G ? Searcy, Ark. ? Harding Academy

One of the top-rated point guards in the 2015 class, Rose is a four-year starter for Harding Academy in Searcy, Ark. She has earned all-state honors in each of her first three prep seasons, leading the Wildcats to a Class 3A state runner-up finish in 2014 and a quarterfinal appearance in her freshman season in 2012. Rose averaged 13 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.3 steals per game as a junior, earning all-tournament honors at the state meet as her team finished the season with a 24-10 record. She totaled 17.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.3 steals as a sophomore and was named the Arkansas High School Athlete of the Year by All Arkansas Preps. She helped Harding Academy to a 22-8 record and conference title her freshman season, averaging 12.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.7 steals. Rose has also won state track and field championships in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes, as well as several sprint relays.

Harper on Rose:

"Riley Rose is an incredible athlete and great distributor. She will provide explosiveness and quickness to the point guard position, both offensively and defensively. Although Riley loves to pass the ball, she has the ability to score at the basket and knock down jumpers."


Grace Vander Weide ? 5-11 ? G ? West Des Moines, Iowa ? Valley High

A four-year starter as both a point guard and a wing, Vander Weide has been ranked as high as the No. 1 recruit in Iowa according to Rivals.com. She led Valley High to a school-record 22 wins as a junior, averaging 18.7 points per game as a first-team all-state selection by the Des Moines Register. Vander Weide was also a finalist for Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year, and set a school record for free throw percentage by making 80 of 87 tries (.920) from the charity stripe. She was a second-team all-state pick by the coaches as a sophomore, as well as a first-team all-conference pick both athletically and academically, and hit a school-record seven 3-pointers in a game that season. Vander Weide helped Valley to an 18-6 record her freshman year as an honorable mention all-conference pick.

Harper on Vander Weide:

"Grace Vander Weide is a competitive and savvy guard. She can shoot the three and create opportunities off the dribble. She is terrific at setting up her teammates for easy scoring opportunities. Grace is a hard worker and has a great passion for the game."