Schneider inks a pair of guards in third signing class

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Head coach Brandon Schneider shifted his focus to the backcourt in the 2018 signing class and added a pair of dynamic guards, including his second five-star commit, on Friday. Schneider and his staff have signed two student-athletes to valid National Letters of Intent (NLI) during the early signing period.

Schneider’s third signing class features Brooklyn Mitchell (Ursuline Academy // New Orleans, Louisiana) and Aniya Thomas (Duncanville High School // Duncanville, Texas). The Jayhawks’ 2018 signing class, which will join the Jayhawks in 2018-19.

“We are excited to add Brooklyn and Aniya to our program,” said Schneider. “The fact that both have won state championships and come from ultra-successful high school programs is important to us and fits our model of recruiting players who are accustomed to winning.”Brooklyn Mitchell and
coach Brandon Schneider

A 5-9 point guard, Mitchell prepped at Ursuline Academy in New Orleans, Louisiana, and ranks No. 45 overall and No. 14 in her position by ESPN. Mitchell is the first five-star recruit signed by Schneider and his staff since senior guard Jessica Washington inked her intent to play with the Jayhawks in 2015. Since 2004, Kansas has had two five-star recruits, both committed to play for the Jayhawks during the Schneider era.

“Brooklyn is an extremely quick and athletic point guard,” Schneider said. “She can score the ball at all three levels, but has a true floor general mindset. She has terrific handles and can really see the floor. Brooklyn has both the quickness and mentality to be an elite on ball defender and has all the intangibles we look for in a point guard and leader.”

Mitchell was named a 2017 Adidas All-American and helped lead Ursuline Academy to its first ever 4A state championship with a 27-5 record in 2016. The highly decorated student-athlete, Mitchell earned multiple all-district, all-metro and all-state honors. Mitchell averaged 15.7 points, six rebounds and four assists during her junior campaign.

 Aniya Thomas and
coach Brandon SchneiderThomas, a 5-9 combo guard, from Duncanville, Texas is ranked No. 50 for her position by ESPN and No. 122 overall by Prospect Nation. A three-star recruit, Thomas has played in three Texas State Championships and won the 6A state title twice.

“Aniya is an athletic combo guard and she can really stretch the floor with her range behind the arc, but also has the game to penetrate and finish at the rim,” said Schneider. “She is an aggressive, disruptive defender and flourishes in an up-tempo style of play. She comes from one of the most dominant high school programs in the country and could possibly win three-straight Texas State Titles.”

After scoring 19 points, including five triples, during the 2016 6A state championship game, Thomas was named to the all-tournament team. Over the last two seasons, Thomas has helped Duncanville High School to 78-2 record.
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