TULSA — The University of Tulsa signed six women's basketball players to national letters-of-intent, including Autura Campbell, Rickae Jinks, Erika Lane, Stevi Parker, Liesl Spoerl and Kayla Wright, as announced today by Head Coach Matilda Mossman.



"Our priority in this class was size and it is pretty obvious that we got what we went after," Mossman said. "I am excited about this group, not just because of their basketball ability, which is excellent, but also about their basketball IQ. We have kids that have won at a very high level, including nine state championships among volleyball and basketball, which is crucial for the continued development of our program. We are getting some young kids with great leadership ability, and with the loss of our current two senior captains and our young roster, that leadership potential is huge."



Collectively, the six players are ranked as the second-best recruiting class in Conference USA and received "Top-75" status according to GirlsBasketballReport.com.



"For the second-straight season, coach Matilda Mossman and her staff have put together one of the nation's top mid-major classes with six prospects who should all pay dividends for the Golden Hurricane during their time in Tulsa," said Brandon Clay of PeachStateBasketball.com. "This is a class that should firmly entrench Tulsa in the class with the elite mid-major programs nationally for years to come."



Campbell, a 6-2 center from Topeka, Kansas, has recorded 156 blocks, scored 586 points and pulled down 327 rebounds to rank first, 14th and 18th, respectively, in the career record books at Topeka West High School. She posted 335 points, 226 rebounds, 86 blocks, 36 steals and 22 assists as a junior, while being tabbed to the all-city, all-league, all-league defensive and all-state teams. Campbell was named as the City League Scoring Champ and to the all-tournament team last season.

 

According to Dan Olson, owner and director of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report, Campbell has "a physical presence in the key with an emerging low-post game".

A 6-2 center from Miramar, Fla., Jinks averaged 10.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game last year at Hollywood Christian, and was named to the Broward All-County Second Team. As a sophomore, she led her team to a State Championship and finished as the runner-up as a junior. Jinks is a three-star recruit and has an 84 scouts grade by ESPNU HoopGurlz, and is ranked at #242 among the "Top 300" prospects. She will play her senior season for Miramar High School.



"An emerging low-block player with length and agility to excel in the up-tempo," Olson said. "Adding her ability to defend in the paint, Jinks may be a signature signee in the post player category."



"She will give Tulsa a legitimate center who can run the floor and alter shots on the defensive end," Clay said. "Her length and willingness to challenge shots will be important throughout her career."



Lane, a 5-9 guard from Topeka, Kan., is a three-start recruit and has a 90 scouts grade by ESPNU HoopGurlz. She has played her prep career at Washburn Rural High School.



Lane has "Big guard size in the backcourt with versatility, [she] handles the ball vs. pressure and displays a scorer's mentality," Olson said.



"The only guard in the class brings both skill and length to the backcourt," Clay said. "She can play either guard position and her versatility is a key strength to her game."



A 6-0 forward from Bixby, Okla., Parker has career averages of 15.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.2 assists at Bixby High School. She is a three-star recruit and has an 89 scouts grade by ESPNU HoopGurlz.



Parker is "a versatile perimeter performer with size on the perimeter, smooth stroke to the three-point line and a fundamental persona to the game," Olson said.



"A flat out warrior," Clay said. "She can defend three positions on the floor and play a couple on the offensive end. Parker is one of the nation's top rebounding forwards in the class."



Spoerl, a 6-1 forward from Tulsa, Okla., has recorded 624 points and 357 rebounds as a sophomore and junior at Cascia Hall, for 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. She has also recorded 65 assists and 43 blocks. Spoerl is a three-star recruit and has an 88 scouts grade by ESPNU HoopGurlz, and is ranked at #289 among the "Top 300" prospects.



"A versatile faceup-4 performer, Spoerl has the ability to score to the arc while exploiting the defense in the paint," Olson said.



"She has the ability to do a little of everything on the interior," Clay said. "This summer, Spoerl burst on the scene showing that her skill and energy combination makes her a consistent threat at the forward position."



A 5-11 forward from Lauderhill, Fla., Wright has led her Dillard High School team to three consecutive state titles. She is a four-star recruit with a 91 scouts grade by ESPNU HoopGurlz. As a junior, Wright averaged 15.5 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. She was the 2012 Sun Sentinel Player of the Year, the 2011-12 All-Broward Player of the Year and Florida Women's 5A Player of the Year, and was named to the 2012 Big 8 All-Tournament Team. Wright was named to the All-County Sun Sentinel and All-County Miami Herald first team as a junior, second team as a sophomore and honorable mention team as a freshman.



"A powerful undersized interior player with deceptive quickness and a physical presence in the paint, Wright will provide a difficult matchup for opponents," Olson said.



"Her ball skill and savvy will make her an instant favorite with the Golden Hurricane supporters," Clay said. "Wright finds a way to make plays on the inside and facing the basket as well."