Youngstown State University head women's basketball coach Bob Boldon has announced that Wendi Mitchell and Janae Jackson have signed a grant-in-aid form to join the Penguins for the 2012-13 season.
Mitchell is a 6-foot-3 junior forward from Port Arthur, Texas, who played at Pensacola State College last season. Jackson is a 5-foot-9 sophomore guard/forward from Detroit, Mich., who played at Northern Illinois University in 2011-12. Mitchell will be eligible to compete immediately while Jackson will have to sit out the 2012-13 season to satisfy NCAA transfer requirements.
"We are very excited to add two more wonderful people to our program," Boldon said. "Wendi and Janae have dynamic personalities and will fit in well with our team."
Mitchell averaged 7.9 points and 7.0 rebounds while leading the region in blocks as a freshman at San Jacinto College (Texas). She also shot 55 percent from the floor and 64 percent from the free-throw line to earn honorable mention all-conference honors. Mitchell blocked 53 shots in 24 games, which ranked her 17th in the nation.
Mitchell averaged 2.7 points and 1.9 rebounds last year for Pensacola State College. She shot 38 percent overall, 44 percent (4-for-9) from 3-point range and 72 percent from the free-throw line. The Lady Pirates finished third in the NJCAA Championship.
Mitchell earned first-team all-district honors her senior year and graduated in the top 10 percent of her class at Memorial High School.
"Wendi's athleticism allows her to be very versatile at the offensive end," Boldon said. "She will fit in very well in our offense because of how comfortable she is on the perimeter. Defending the low post and rebounding were our two biggest deficiencies last year, and she provides immediate help in both areas."
Jackson was a standout at Inkster High, earning all-conference, all-area and all-state selections in all four of her seasons. She captained the Vikings to a 25-2 record, a No. 21 national ranking and a Class A State Championship as a senior and a 25-3 record and a regional title as a junior. As a senior, Jackson averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds as a McDonald's All-American candidate.
Jackson played 32 minutes over 10 games for the Huskies in 2011-12. She was 3-for-12 shooting and recorded six rebounds, two assists and nine points.
"Janae has an innate ability to get to the rim and does a great job guarding the ball," Boldon said. "Janae is constantly improving her game. She will use her red-shirt year to extend her range and become a quality 3 point shooter."
Mitchell and Jackson bring the total number of newcomers on the Penguins' 2012-13 roster to nine. One of the seven returners, Ashley Lawson, red-shirted last season.
