Coach Stockton Signs Three to 2016 Class
Nov 12, 2015 | Women's Basketball
NEW ORLEANS - On Thursday afternoon, Tulane women's basketball head coach Lisa Stockton announced the addition of three players for the 2016-17 season, welcoming Brogan Jones (Little Rock, Arkansas), Kayla Manuirirangi (Hawera, New Zealand) and Maddison Wells (Winter Haven, Florida) to the Green Wave family.
"We are excited to add this talented group to our program," Stockton stated. "Each brings a set of skills to complement our team. They are all great competitors as well as outstanding students."
Up first is Brogan Jones, a 6'4" center out of North Little Rock High School, where she led the Charging Wildcats to the Arkansas State semi-finals and the Naples Holiday Shootout National Division Championship. Currently ranked the 15th best post in the country by ESPN, Jones was an all-conference selection all three years and was selected to try out for the U17 USA Basketball team in 2014.
Jones also gained a lot of national attention while playing four years under Coach Gene Alexander and John Thrower with the Arkansas Lady Hawks, where she was later recognized by Tulane. In addition, Jones spent this past summer playing with Texas Elite Adidas 17U Simmons, where she won both the Super 64 National Championship Tournament and the Adidas National Championship Tournament as well.
"Brogan was a high priority for us in this class," Stockton explained. "She is a strong physical post with great hands and good fundamentals. Brogan has played at a high level of competition with her summer and high school teams which should help her make the transition to the college level. In many ways, she reminds me of former Tulane standout Brett Benzio."
Next is Kayla Manuirirangi, a 5'7" guard hailing from Hawera, New Zealand. Manuirirangi has spent the last two years at New Plymouth Girls' High School where she led the squad to two straight playoff appearances. In fact, in 2014, Manuirirangi guided her team to not only a national high school championship where she was named the tournament MVP, but also a 3x3 tournament title as well.
Manuirirangi has also spent a lot of time on the national scene for New Zealand as well, dating as far back as 2012 when she made the U16 national squad. Manuirirangi then followed that up by captaining the U17 team in 2013 and the U18 squad in 2014. Later that year, Manuirirangi began representing New Zealand with the Junior Tall Ferns (U19).
Furthermore, Manuirirangi will graduate high school this fall and meet up the Green Wave in January, when she begins school at Tulane; though, the incoming freshman guard will not begin collegiate play until next fall.
"Kayla has a wealth of international experience on the New Zealand national teams where she was an effective point guard and team captain," Stockton said. "Kayla brings great play making ability and a deep range shooting touch. Practicing in the spring will give Kayla an excellent opportunity to adjust to our system and get to know her future teammates."
Last, but certainly not least, is Maddison Wells, who will be celebrating a homecoming of sorts as the 6'1" forward was originally from New Orleans before moving to her current residency in Florida. At Winter Haven High School, Wells helped produce back-to-back 20+ win seasons and playoff appearances: 22-8 in 2013-14 and 28-4 in 2014-15.
Wells also honed her skills while playing for Kenny Kallina with the FGB travel team. Kallina describes Wells as a lefty forward who is an aggressive rebounder and a strong defender. Listed as a 4-star recruit by JumpOffPlus Scouting, Wells competed for FGB this past summer in the Tournament of Champions in Suwanee and Nashville, as well as the Summer Basketball Playoff in Charlotte.
"Originally a New Orleans native, we are excited to bring Maddison home," Stockton said. "Maddison plays at a high level of intensity. She is a power forward, who can face up to score but isn't afraid to mix it up in the paint. Her strong work ethic on the court is also evident in the classroom where she is competing to be her class Valedictorian."
With the future looking bright, the current Green Wave are looking to make some splashes of their own Friday, Nov. 13, when they open the 2015-16 season against Little Rock at 5:30 p.m. CT, inside Avron B. Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse. Tickets are $5 for end court and $10 for side court. For more information, fans can call (504) 861-WAVE (9283) or visit the ticket office located on the first floor of the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
