The Drake University women's basketball team has signed Taedyn Gray (Lenexa, Kan.) and Ava Hawthorne (Gilbert, Iowa) to national letters of intents for the 2022-23 season, Suzie Glazer Burt Head Coach Allison Pohlman announced.
 
Gray is a 6-0 forward for Shawnee Mission West High School. She is a three-year varsity letterwinner for the Vikings who earned Kansas Class 6A Honorable Mention honors as a junior.
Gray is a member of the Missouri Phenom club
 
Hawthorne, from Gilbert, Iowa, is a 5-10 guard for Gilbert High School. She is a three-year letterwinner for the Tigers. Gilbert is a two-time Iowa Class 4A All-State selection, including being named to the first-team as a junior. Hawthorne helped Gilbert make the state tournament as a sophomore, it was the program's first state appearance in 23 years. A multi-sport athlete, she qualified for the state track meet as a junior. Hawthone is a member of the All Iowa Attack
club.
 
What They Are Saying About The 2022-23 Drake women's basketball signees…
"I'm so happy and proud of Taedyn seeing all the work she put in to sign with Drake. I'm excited to see her grow these next 4-5 years of her college career. She is athletic and long who covers great space and I believe right away she will be a standout offensive rebounder." - Zo Williams, Missouri Phenom Coach
 
 
"Taedyn has been such an important part of our program and our successes at Shawnee Mission West. Her feel for the game is top notch and she is so versatile, being able to play (and to be difficult to defend). Defensively she is an exceptional rim protector but can also defend the fence as well. Drake is getting a versatile stretch four that has a great feel for the game."- Mark Rabbit, Shawnee Mission West Head Coach
 
"Ava is the total student athlete.  She is smart, a great teammate and will be great for the community. Her versatility lends to if you need her to be a point guard, she can be a point guard, if you need her to be a shooter, she can be a shooter. Ava really understands the game.  Drake University will enjoy having Ava Hawthorne as a Bulldog." - Dickson Jensen, All Iowa Attack President