The following is a press release sent out by Iowa State Athletic Communications.
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State women’s basketball program and head coach Bill Fennelly announced Wednesday the signing of four prep standouts. The four players have signed to play for the Cyclones starting in 2013-14.
“We went into this recruiting cycle as always looking for talented players, but more importantly we want to get young people that understand and believe in the culture that has been created in our program and at Iowa State University,” Fennelly said. “I feel very good about these players, they are great kids from great families. I know our amazing fan base will enjoy all of them on and off the court.”
Lexi Albrecht (ALL-breck), a 5-10 guard from Carroll, Iowa, is a three-year letterwinner at Carroll Kuemper High School. She averaged 12.4 points and connected on 42.2 percent of her three-point attempts as a junior. Albrecht, who will join the Cyclones as a preferred walk on, earned first-team All-Hawkeye 10 honors and was named first-team All-Western Iowa in class 2A. She is also a member of the National Honor Society.
“Lexi and her family have cardinal and gold blood in their veins and have long been a part of the Iowa State family so it is exciting for all of us to have them join our program,” Fennelly said. “She’ll add another shooter to our team and you can never have enough shooters.”
Jadda Buckley (JAY-dah), a 5-8 guard/forward from Mason City, Iowa, is consistently ranked among the top-50 players in the nation. She earned first-team all-state honors as a junior while leading Mason City to a 21-3 record. She averaged 14.6 points and dished out 117 assists as a junior. Buckley is a three-time first-team all-conference selection. Off the court, she is a member of the national honor society.
Buckley was ranked the nation’s 39th-best player by JumpOffPlus.com and 44thby All-Star Girls Report.
“We identified Jadda a long time ago as a perfect fit for Iowa State University in every way,” Fennelly said. “She is one of the best guards in the country and has the skill set and work habits it takes to be a very good player in the Big 12. I expect her to make an immediate impact and I know our fans will love how she plays the game.”
Jordan Jensen, a 6-2 forward from Gilbert, Ariz., is a three-year letterwinner at Mountain View High School where she averaged 11.2 points and 7.2 rebounds as a junior. She posted double-figures in 15 games, including a 15-point, eight-rebound performance against Hamilton in the state playoff semifinals. Jensen is a three-time all-state scholar athlete.
“Jordan is someone we have been watching for a few years and the more we got to know her as a person and a player the more we felt she would be a great addition to our team on and off the court,” Fennelly said. “She plays hard every possession and will help us start to fill the void on our roster with the graduation of three post players this season.”
Tyseanna Johnson (ty-SHAN-ah), a 5-10 guard/forward from Brooklyn Park, Minn., has lettered three times at De La Salle High School in Minneapolis, Minn. She was named Minnesota Basketball Class 3A Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012. Johnson, who started playing varsity as an eighth grader at Minneapolis North High School, has scored over 1,000 career points and grabbed over 1,000 rebounds, making her the first player in school history to do this in her junior year. Johnson has helped the Islanders to back-to-back state titles, averaging 17.8 points and 8.1 rebounds as a junior. Johnson is also an honor roll student.
All-Star Girls Report ranked Johnson as the No. 72 player in the country.
“Seanna is a dynamic athlete that can play many different positions on the floor,” Fennelly said. “Her versatility is something we really liked and will allow us to use her in a variety of ways. She plays the game hard and it shows in her ability to score the ball as well as someone we feel can be a lock down defender for our program.”
2013-14 Iowa State Signees
Lexi Albrecht, G, 5-10, Carroll, Iowa, Carroll Kuemper HS
Jadda Buckley, G, 5-8, Mason City, Iowa, Mason City HS
Jordan Jensen, F, 6-2, Gilbert, Ariz., Mountain View HS
Tyseanna Johnson, G, 5-10, Brooklyn Park, Minn., De La Salle HS
