Three players, Bryonna McClean, Piper Morningstar and Makaila Wilson have announced their intentions to attend Radford University this coming year.
Radford women’s basketball head coach Mike McGuire added three talented guards to this 2018 signing class Wednesday with Bryonna McClean (Virginia Beach, Va.), Piper Morningstar (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Makaila Wilson (Nashville, Tenn.) signing National Letters of Intent to suit up for the Highlanders next season.
“National Signing Day is such a special time for recruits and basketball programs across the country. We are thrilled to announce the signing of Bryonna McClean, Piper Morningstar, and Makaila Wilson into our basketball program. What stands out to me about this group is they are winners. They have had a lot of success at a high level of basketball in their young careers. I fully expect their competitive mindset and their winning attitude to impact our program right away.”
“Our program is now in a position to compete at a high level and I expect them to bring their experiences to Radford, while helping us continue to improve. This is a versatile yet unique group of perimeter players that will provide a lot of punch on both ends of the ball. Their height, length, speed and scoring ability will make us better right away. This 2018 class has a chance to be another special group of young ladies that helps Radford women’s basketball continue to move the needle to bigger and better things.”
Bryonna Mcclean
5-8 | Guard | Virginia Beach | Princess Anne | BWSL Kelly
Has led Princess Anne to three straight VHSL 5A State Championships (2015, 2016, 2017)
Princess Anne finished 2016-17 ranked 76th nationally
Battle of the Boro All-Tournament Team
USJN All-Tournament Team
Coaches Award (2016-17)
National Guard Team recognition for 2016-17 season
Two-time VHSL 5A State Championship qualifier in 4×100
2016-17 stats: 8.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.7 spg, 73 FT%
McGuire on McClean: “Bryonna is such a dynamic and explosive athlete. She may be the fastest kid that I will have ever coached. She can get down the floor in a hurry. We expect her speed and athleticism to provide immediate play making ability. Bryonna also has incredible upside as a defender and will help us to maintain our defensive identity. Bryonna just oozes with so much potential and we cannot wait to work with her. She plays at Princess Anne in Virginia Beach and all they expect to do is win. We want Bryonna to bring that mentality to Radford as Janayla White and Aisha Foy, former Princess Anne student-athletes, have done.”
Piper Morningstar
6-0 | Guard | Pittsburgh, Pa. | North Allegheny | Drill 4 Skill
Led North Allegheny to PIAA State Championship game during 2016-17 season
WPIAL Champion (2016-17)
MVP of Wright Automotive Holiday Tournament
2016-17 stats: 11.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.5 spg, 1.8 bpg
McGuire on Morningstar: “Piper is going to be an excellent college wing player for us. She has an excellent combination of height, length, skill and basketball IQ. Piper understands the game and has a good feel for how to play. She is going to provide a lot of versatility and another wing that can shoot the ball with deep range. I firmly believe that Piper’s best basketball is in front of her because she is so smart and wants to be great. She also comes from a winning program at North Allegheny in Pittsburgh. She has experience in learning what it takes to win. I expect Piper to bring that work ethic and edge to our program right away.”
Makaila Wilson
5-10 | Guard/Forward | Nashville, Tenn. | Brentwood Academy | KY Premier
Led Brentwood to 2015 and 2016 TSSAA Division II-AA State Championships
Earned 2016 TSSAA Division II-AA State All-Tournament Team
Guided Brentwood to 2016 Above the Rim Classic Championship
Was named 2016 Above the Rim Classic MVP
Played 2016-17 season at Somerset High School (Somerset, Ky.)
Led Somerset to KHSAA 47th District Championship
Was named to the 47th All-District and All-Tournament Team
Earned All-Region honors in 12th region.
1,000-point scorer
2016-17 stats: 20.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.2 spg, 1.2 bpg
McGuire on Wilson: “Makaila brings a versatile skill set to our program. She is a smart player that has a good feel for the game as well. She is going to be someone that we rely on to play multiple positions because of her skill set and scoring ability. She can score in a lot of ways on the floor and that is exciting to us. I also think our team will enjoy playing with Makaila, because she has great vision and sees the floor really well. Makaila will come to Radford from Brentwood Academy in Nashville, which is one of the best private schools in the nation. She has learned how to prepare for state championships at Brentwood. We’ll need Makaila to impact our program immediately with her drive and desire to win.”
–RU Athletics
