Purdue Women’s Basketball Signs Three 2018 Recruits
The Boilermakers added more homegrown talent in their 2018 recruiting class
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue women’s basketball head coach Sharon Versyp announced the addition of three players to the Boilermaker family Wednesday, inking Nyagoa Gony, Cassidy Hardin and Kayana Traylor to national letters of intent. The trio boasts an impressive list of credentials, features a pair of Indiana natives and will join the Boilermakers in the fall of 2018.
“This class brings us another huge addition of talent and potential to continue improving on some of the great things we’re doing here at Purdue,” said Versyp. “Our ability to keep Indiana’s best kids at home and go steal another great player out of the state of Nebraska speaks volumes about the work that our staff is putting in and the team and culture we’ve built.”
Hardin and Traylor will bolster the Boilermaker backcourt, playing shooting guard and point guard, respectively, while Gony is a budding, 6-foot-2 post player with intentions to make an impact down low for the Old Gold & Black.
Gony is the second player in program history to hail from Nebraska, following Boilermaker standout KK Houser. A two-year letterwinner at Lincoln High School, she was the state’s leading rebounder in 2015-16, and offers the Boilermakers’ a wealth of potential in the post. A long and agile post defender, Gony has drawn comparisons to 2008 All-Big Ten Defensive Team honoree Danielle Campbell and can change the game with her length around the bucket. Offensively she’s comfortable with a face-up game, back to the basket or running in transition, and brings a versatile defensive skill set that allows her to defend at the top of a press or anchor a half-court set near the basket.
“Nyagoa’s work ethic, determination and dedication are unwavering,” said Versyp. “She has the potential to be a game-changer for us and is capable of becoming double-trouble for opponents on each end of the floor.”
The Boilermakers’ 3-point records are officially on watch with the addition of Hardin, who will make the short trip from Bargersville, Indiana to West Lafayette. One of the nation’s best shooters from downtown, she has exceptionally deep range and does a great job with both catch-and-shoot or coming off the dribble. Hardin has a very high basketball IQ and has added a variety of 1-on-1 moves and a sweet mid-range game, making her a threat from every position. At 5-foot-10, she has solid size for a guard and can post up a smaller matchup as well.
“We’re thrilled about Cassidy’s technique and keen eye for shooting,” said Versyp. “We think we got the best shooter in the country in this class, but she can do everything else. She’s really an exceptional passer, which is an incredible addition to a player who can knock it down the way she can.”
Traylor is an explosive, quick, dynamic point guard who will be a fun one to watch for Boilermaker fans. A lefty with a blazing first step, she presents a variety of problems for opponents: blowing by them to the bucket, stopping on a dime for a pull-up jumper or stepping back behind the arc to rain down 3’s. Despite an offensive prowess that has her averaging close to 30 points per game, it’s Traylor’s defensive game that will truly excite Boilermaker fans. She has incredible focus on a defensive gameplan and that coupled with her quickness and athleticism makes her a terror for opponents.
“Kayana has been a player we’re excited about joining us for a long time,” said Versyp. “She’ll be able to follow in an outstanding line of defensive point guards that have suited up for Purdue, and wreak havoc in opposing backcourts.”
