PEORIA, Ill. -- Bradley Women's Basketball added two recruits for the 2016-17 season with head coach Michael Brooks announcing 6-1 forward Chelsea Brackmann (New Berlin, Wis./New Berlin Eisenhower) and 5-5 guard Ryan Wilkins (Kansas City, Mo./St. Teresa's Academy) have signed National Letters of Intent to attend Bradley during the fall signing period. 

“We are excited to welcome Chelsea and Ryan into the Bradley family,” said Brooks.  “Through the recruiting process we were able to find two young women who fell in love with Bradley and exemplify the ideals which we hold true to our university. These women are great leaders and student-athletes who understand the opportunity and responsibility that lies before them on the Hilltop.”

A third-team all-state performer last year, Brackmann averaged 11.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game her junior year. She was a first-team all-conference pick in 2014-15 and helped the Lions to back-to-back second-place state finishes as a freshman and sophomore.  Brackmann, who plans to major in health science, helped New Berlin Eisenhower to a 90-19 (.826) record in her four seasons, including a 27-1 mark her freshman year.  She also played for Wisconsin Impact AAU. 

“Chelsea is a versatile forward who is great in transition and has great explosiveness when getting to the rim,” stated Brooks.  “She can attack from the perimeter as well as score on the block. What I love even more about Chelsea's game is her defensive and rebounding mentality. When a shot goes up, she has a great ability to read its bounce and attack. She has an aggressive style that fits in line with what we teach.”

Wilkins averaged 10.1 points, 1.8 assists and 2.7 steals per game, while shooting 48 percent from the field in 2014-15 as a junior.  She is a two-time all-district selection and the two-time team captain tried out for the 2014 Team USA Junior Olympic Team.  Wilkins, who plans to major in nursing, helped the Stars to a Missouri Class 5 District title as a freshman and also played for Kansas City Select Basketball Club.  She also lettered in track at St. Teresa's Academy.

“Ryan is exactly what we look for when recruiting guards,” added Brooks.  “She is a high-energy, defensive-minded player with the ability to create her own shots as well as knock down the contested three.  Ryan played both the point and off guard positions and she can make an impact on the game from each spot.  She is a leader and has developed a very high basketball IQ.  In addition, she is coachable and humble and loves to play at the up-tempo pace which we desire.”

The Bradley women's basketball opens the 2015-16 season Friday with a 6 p.m. (CST) game at Detroit.