Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Announces Signing of Two Future Wildcats
11/14/2018 7:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Northwestern head coach Joe McKeown announced the signing of two members of the 2023 class Wednesday during National Signing Day.
A pair of guards, Laya Hartman from Okemos, MI. and Kaylah Rainey from Belleville, Il. inked letters of intent to join the 'Cats next year.
"We are really excited to have two new Wildcats join our family," McKeown said. "Laya Hartman epitomizes what we look for in a student-athlete and can play three different positions. She has a great future here. Kaylah Rainey reminds me of some of the great guards we've had like Beth Marshall and Ashley Deary. She brings a blazing speed and quickness to the floor and really understands the game. I'm looking forward to having them both here. They are outstanding competitors."
Hartman holds an ESPN scouts' grade of 90 and averaged 16.8 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game at Okemos High School. She was invited to try out for the USA Women's Basketball program during the preliminary trials in Colorado and is ranked as a top 40 player in the country according to Dan Olson's Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.
Rainey is the No. 14 ranked point guard in her class by ESPN and also holds a 90 grade. Along with Hartman, Rainey was invited to the U-16 USA Women's Basketball Program trials. Before stepping on the court for her senior year, Rainey was already Belleville East's assist and steals record holder along with a membership in the 1000-point club.
Complete bios and information for each of the signees can be found below.
Laya Hartman
5-11 * Guard
High School: No. 13 ranked guard in her class…ranked as a top 40 player nationally according to Dan Olson's Collegiate Girls Basketball Report…ESPN scouts' grade of 90… averaged 16.8 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game as a junior…was invited to try out for the USA U-16 Women's Basketball Program in Colorado.
Personal: Born Laya Bena Hartman…daughter of Bena and Douglas Hartman…Mother played tennis at Clarion University…Father played basketball for Warner Pacific University…chose Northwestern over 16 universities including: Tennessee, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Villanova and others…member of National Honor Society.
Why She Chose Northwestern: "For me it came down to first, the academics; that was a big part of choosing a school for me, the academic reputation was important. After my official visit, I liked campus and I liked the vision the coaches had and I bonded with the players."
Kaylah Rainey
5-6 * Guard
High School: No. 14 ranked guard in her class by ESPN… Scouts' grade of 90…USA U16 Olympic Trias…Semi-Finalist…Chicago Tribune All State 2017...All Conference 2016, 2017, 2018… IBCA All State 2016, 2017, 2018… Belleville News Democrat All Area Team 2016, 2017,2018…owns her high school's assist and steals record…member of the 1000-point club as a junior.
Personal: Daughter of Dr. L Terrell and Pamela Rainey…member of National Honor Society…Father's second cousin is NBA player Larry Hughes…Chose Northwestern over Kansas, Illinois, Harvard, Marquette and Iowa…Anticipated major at Northwestern, Physical Therapy.
Why She Chose Northwestern: "It was a family based school; the team, the coaching staff, the campus, I loved everything about it. As soon as I stepped foot on campus it felt like home to me."
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
A pair of guards, Laya Hartman from Okemos, MI. and Kaylah Rainey from Belleville, Il. inked letters of intent to join the 'Cats next year.
"We are really excited to have two new Wildcats join our family," McKeown said. "Laya Hartman epitomizes what we look for in a student-athlete and can play three different positions. She has a great future here. Kaylah Rainey reminds me of some of the great guards we've had like Beth Marshall and Ashley Deary. She brings a blazing speed and quickness to the floor and really understands the game. I'm looking forward to having them both here. They are outstanding competitors."
Hartman holds an ESPN scouts' grade of 90 and averaged 16.8 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game at Okemos High School. She was invited to try out for the USA Women's Basketball program during the preliminary trials in Colorado and is ranked as a top 40 player in the country according to Dan Olson's Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.
Rainey is the No. 14 ranked point guard in her class by ESPN and also holds a 90 grade. Along with Hartman, Rainey was invited to the U-16 USA Women's Basketball Program trials. Before stepping on the court for her senior year, Rainey was already Belleville East's assist and steals record holder along with a membership in the 1000-point club.
Complete bios and information for each of the signees can be found below.
Laya Hartman
5-11 * Guard
High School: No. 13 ranked guard in her class…ranked as a top 40 player nationally according to Dan Olson's Collegiate Girls Basketball Report…ESPN scouts' grade of 90… averaged 16.8 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game as a junior…was invited to try out for the USA U-16 Women's Basketball Program in Colorado.
Personal: Born Laya Bena Hartman…daughter of Bena and Douglas Hartman…Mother played tennis at Clarion University…Father played basketball for Warner Pacific University…chose Northwestern over 16 universities including: Tennessee, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Villanova and others…member of National Honor Society.
Why She Chose Northwestern: "For me it came down to first, the academics; that was a big part of choosing a school for me, the academic reputation was important. After my official visit, I liked campus and I liked the vision the coaches had and I bonded with the players."
Kaylah Rainey
5-6 * Guard
High School: No. 14 ranked guard in her class by ESPN… Scouts' grade of 90…USA U16 Olympic Trias…Semi-Finalist…Chicago Tribune All State 2017...All Conference 2016, 2017, 2018… IBCA All State 2016, 2017, 2018… Belleville News Democrat All Area Team 2016, 2017,2018…owns her high school's assist and steals record…member of the 1000-point club as a junior.
Personal: Daughter of Dr. L Terrell and Pamela Rainey…member of National Honor Society…Father's second cousin is NBA player Larry Hughes…Chose Northwestern over Kansas, Illinois, Harvard, Marquette and Iowa…Anticipated major at Northwestern, Physical Therapy.
Why She Chose Northwestern: "It was a family based school; the team, the coaching staff, the campus, I loved everything about it. As soon as I stepped foot on campus it felt like home to me."
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Players Mentioned
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