WICHITA -- First-year head coach Jody Adams has announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play women's basketball at Wichita State as the fall signing period began today.

The class, which is ranked 77th nationally and the top class in the Missouri Valley Conference by All-Star Girls Reports, includes guard Jessica Diamond, center Jazimen Gordon, small forward Michelle Price and forward Chynna Turner.

“I have to give credit to our coaching staff for this class,” Adams said. “Kristy Guffey, our recruiting coordinator, did an amazing job of finding these young women and our staff worked very hard to sign them. Overall, this is the best class that I have seen in my experience as a head coach and as an assistant at this level for the last eight years. Their future in this program is very bright.”

Jessica Diamond is a 5-7 combination guard from Houston, Texas, where she is the starting point-guard at Nimitz High School. She was an all-District 19-5A first team performer a year ago under head coach Debbie Jackson, after leading her team with 14 points in an area playoff game. Diamond is also a member of the Texas Blazers summer traveling team, earning River City Classic All-Tournament Team accolades while playing for coach Herb LeDee.

"I think one of the things that stood out as we watched Jessica this summer was her ability to stop and pop," Adams said. "Her mid-range game is among the best I've seen and that's a lost art in the game of women's basketball. She has three-point range and has the ability to run the point, so she is extremely versatile."

Jazimen Gordon is a 6-2 center from West Memphis, Ark., playing under head coach Sheila Burns at West Memphis High School. Gordon was an all-state Class 6A selection by the Arkansas High School Athletics Association after leading the Lady Blue Devils to the state championship game last year. She is also a member of the New Life Hawks summer traveling team, playing under head coach Dion Cross.

"Jazimen is probably one of the most explosive athletes we will have on this team," Adams said. "Her ability to play around the rim is something that really excites you as a coach. To have that type of athleticism around your basket for second shots and to board the ball on the defensive end is something that will help us immediately."

Michelle Price is a 6-1 small forward from Houston, Texas, where she plays under head coach Tonia Thomas at Kingwood High School. Price is ranked as the 29th best wing in the nation by ESPN HoopGurlz, and is ranked as the 199th best recruit in the country by the Blue Star Basketball Report as well as the 129th best recruit in the nation by the All-Star Girls' Report. Price is also a member of the same Texas Blazers summer traveling team as Diamond.

"Michelle is a magnet to the ball," Adams said. "She has range, and is great with her back to the basket. Michelle is extremely explosive and could have as many offensive boards as she does defensive boards. Her natural power and strength are a perfect fit in our coaching philosophy."

Chynna Turner is a 6-0 forward from Eisenhower High School in Houston, Texas, where she plays under head coach Anthony Watkins. She was a Texas Association of Basketball Coaches all-Region 3 selection, and is the 53rd ranked forward in the nation by ESPN HoopGurlz. Turner was named co-MVP of District 19-5A, along with Brittany Griner, ranked as the top women's basketball recruit in the nation by ESPN HoopGurlz. Turner also plays for head coach George Washington's Cy-Fair Heat summer traveling team.

"Chynna's strength is she knows how to score," Adams said. "She can score from three-point range, and with her back to the basket. Chynna has a really nice high shot, and can flex from the four to the three which can give us really good size on the fringe at this level."