Schneider inks three during early signing period
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Among one of his top priorities after stepping on Kansas’ campus was recruiting, and head coach Brandon Schneider’s efforts paid off during the early signing period of his second season at the helm of the Kansas women’s basketball program. Schneider and his staff have signed three student-athletes to valid National Letters of Intent (NLI) to play for the Jayhawks in 2017-18.
Schneider’s second signing class features Micaela Wilson (Rayville High School // Rayville, Louisiana), Brittany Franklin (Plymouth High School // Plymouth, North Carolina) and Bailey Helgren (Edina High School // Edina, Minnesota). The Jayhawks’ 2017 signing class, which is ranked No. 33 by Blue Star Report, includes a wing and a pair of centers.
“We graduate a significant part of our front line at the end of the year,” Schneider said. “We graduate two fives and a couple of fours, so we need some immediate help there. Signing two post players early was really important to us and we feel like both have a lot of potential to come in and develop into the kind of players that will have a positive impact on our team. Micaela Wilson is a three, stretch four if you will, and fills a need for us as we move forward.”
A 6-2 wing/forward, Wilson prepped at Rayville High School (Rayville, Louisiana) and ranks No. 10 for her position by ProspectsNation.com and No. 24 overall by Blue Star Report. A four-star recruit, Wilson participated in the 2016 U18 USA National Team Trials last July.
“Micaela is a long, athletic, skilled and versatile player who we think can play multiple positions for us and can guard multiple positions for us,” Schneider said. “We love the fact that she is left handed and is really crafty. She can shoot the three, can get to the rim, but can also post and do some things at the mid-range.”
As a junior, Wilson recorded 25 points, 12 rebounds and four steals per game as she helped the Lady Hornets to a 27-4 mark and a victory in the Louisiana State Tournament. With one prep season remaining, Wilson has recorded 1,725 points and more than 1,200 rebounds.
Wilson has averaged double figures in both points and rebounds per game each season at Rayville High School. At the end of the 2015-16 season, Wilson was named the conference player of the year and earned first-team all-conference honors. Additionally, Wilson collected all-state honorable mention accolades in 2014 and 2015.
Franklin, a 6-5 center from Plymouth, North Carolina, is ranked No. 91 overall by PASS scouting.
“Brittany Franklin is long, lean and athletic,” said Schneider. “She can rebound and run the floor, but also possesses a lot of the attributes that you look for like good hands and good feet that you hope you can develop with inside players.”
A conference player of the year selection, Franklin helped Plymouth High School to a conference and regional championship during her prep career. In last season’s North Carolina 1A State Title game, Franklin scored 14 points in a loss to Winston-Salem Prep. Franklin tallied 19 points and 25 rebounds in the 2016 NCHSAA East Regional Title game.
Helgren, a product of Edina High School in Edina, Minnesota, is ranked No. 89 overall by Blue Star Report.
“Bailey Helgren has a college-ready body with a really strong frame,” Schneider said. “She has a shot blocking presence and is a paint protector. Again, she has a lot of the tools we look for when you are trying to recruit post players that can be developed.”
A 6-5 center, Helgren earned all-conference honors at the conclusion of the 2015 and 2016 seasons. She was also named team captain for the upcoming 2016-17 season. As a junior, Helgren averaged 9.5 points per game.
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