Peoria, Ill. – Bradley Women's Basketball welcomes five new student-athletes to the program for the 2023-24 season as head Coach Kate Popovec-Goss announced the incoming players on Thursday.
 
The five-person class includes four true freshmen and one transfer. In addition to November signees Halli Poock (Waterloo, IA/Waterloo West HS), Armoni Strozier (Flint, Mich./Carman-Ainsworth HS) and Claire McDougall (Washington, Ill./Washington HS), Coach Popovec-Goss and her staff have added two student-athletes this spring: transfer Kaylen Nelson (Tulsa, Okla./Union HS/Old Dominion) and true freshman Sheyene Neale (Oakville, Ontario, Canada/King's Christian Collegiate).

"Excited would be an understatement about the future class of 2027," exclaimed Bradley Head Coach Kate Popovec-Goss. "We added size, scoring, and athleticism to our roster with this group, and they are thrilled to be Braves. This class is very balanced—we welcome a true floor general, a knockdown shooter, a long and versatile wing, and a physical and skilled post player. Each of these student-athletes brings a much needed skill set to the Hilltop and will help us transition into a more uptempo style of play that is predicated on our defensive effort. This group can play on both ends of the court and brings great competitiveness to Peoria. They are diverse in talent and background, and I know they will represent Bradley proudly on the court, in the classroom, and in the community."
 
Halli Poock | Fr. | G | Waterloo, IA | Waterloo West HS

Halli Poock, a 5-foot-6 guard from Waterloo, Iowa, finished her high school career as one of the best high school players in the state. Poock led all class 5A players in points per game, averaging 22.4 PPG. Poock became Waterloo West's all-time leading scorer this past season, breaking the school's previous record of 1,994 points and becoming the only player in Waterloo West history to score 2,000 points in a career. Poock also holds school records in assists, steals and three-pointers and was named First Team All-State by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. 
 
"Halli is a unique talent with a highly competitive spirit," said Coach Popovec-Goss. "She's a scoring PG with an astonishing basketball IQ, who can take over a game with her playmaking ability. She's cool under pressure, possesses tremendous confidence, and has the strength and quickness to be a great defender. Halli has played on one of the best high school teams in Iowa, a state known for producing prolific offensive talent. She too, is an excellent student, who I believe will excel on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. She has an awesome family who values the Bradley degree and tradition, and I'm thrilled to welcome them all to the Hilltop!"
 
Armoni Strozier | Fr. | F | Flint, Mich. | Carman-Ainsworth HS

A 6-foot-0 forward from Flint, Michigan, Armoni Strozier controlled the paint and helped Carman-Ainsworth High School finish 23-1, winning the League, District and Regional Championships in Michigan. Strozier is a vacuum on the glass and one of her best qualities is her ability to fight for rebounds. Strozier averaged nearly 20 rebounds per game during her high school and club career and converted many rebounds into points, averaging over 13 PPG. She was also recognized by the Detroit Free Press as one of the top Girl's Basketball players in Michigan.

"My eyes lit up when I first saw Armoni in AAU," noted Coach Popovec-Goss. "She's got a great frame, unbelievable hands, and a very high motor. Armoni truly has a unique skill set, with her strongest offensive weapon being her vision and passing. As we continue to facilitate offense through the hands of our bigs, I think she will evolve into a versatile playmaker from the high post. She pounds the glass on both ends, and defensively, is very nimble and explosive. Armoni's mom was a collegiate basketball player, and hoops is in her blood. She's got great family support, a strong sense of self, and her best basketball is ahead of her. Moni will enhance our culture on the court and in the community. Her future is bright and we are happy it's going to be at Bradley!"

Claire McDougall | Fr. | G/F | Washington, Ill. | Washington HS

McDougall, a 6-foot-0 guard/forward from Washington, Illinois, was named First Team All-State by The News-Gazette after averaging 17.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 4.9 steals per game. She also was named to First Team All Mid-Illini Conference, the Girls Basketball All-Area Team by the Peoria Journal-Star and First Team All-State in Class 3A by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association at the conclusion of her senior season. McDougal helped Washington win a Regional Championship and led the team to the Sectional Championship game.

"Claire truly represents what it means to be a student-athlete," said Coach Popovec-Goss. "She's tremendous in the classroom and is a true hoops junkie. Claire possesses great size and explosion, and can play 1-4 for us offensively. She's a modern day point forward, who loves to rebound and get her teammates involved in transition. I'm so excited about her versatility and motor! She has great pride for Bradley, having grown up just 15 minutes down the road, and comes from a wonderful family. We are so excited that Claire has chosen to stay home and wear the Bradley Red!"

Sheyene Neale | Fr. | G | Oakville, Ontario, Canada | King's Christian Collegiate

Neale, a 5-foot-8 guard from Oakville, Ontario, Canada, was an efficient scorer at King's Christian, averaging 12 points per game across her high school basketball career. Neale's best game came on January 29th at the New York Gauchos Mecca Tournament, scoring a career-high 23 points. She also was good at distributing the ball to teammates, averaging roughly 4.5 assists per game. She finished her high school career with 770 points, 240 rebounds and 300 assists. Neale's family has a bit of basketball history, as her sister, Tiena, currently plays for California Baptist University.

"We are excited to welcome Sheyene to the Bradley family," said Coach Popovec-Goss. "She's a knockdown shooter with range and is a great addition to our roster. She possesses a great IQ and passion for the game, and she will represent Bradley proudly on the court, in the classroom, and in the community."
 
Kaylen Nelson | Jr. | G/F | Tulsa, Okla. | Union HS | Old Dominion

A 5-foot-11 guard/forward, Kaylen Nelson transfers to Bradley after spending the last two seasons at Old Dominion. Nelson is the second player Kate Popovec-Goss has recruited from Old Dominion to Bradley, joining current Bradley guard Alex Rouse. At Old Dominion, Nelson played in 30 games in each of her two seasons with the Monarchs, averaging 6.9 minutes per game, 1.7 points per game and one rebound per game. At Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Nelson averaged 13.4 PPG and 5.9 RPG in her senior year, earning All-State honors and First Team All-World honors.

"We are thrilled to welcome Kaylen to the Hilltop," said Coach Popovec-Goss. "She brings us much needed size and physicality at the guard spot. Kaylen loves to rebound and play in transition, and her versatility both offensively and defensively will be great assets to us. Most importantly, Kaylen is a terrific student-athlete and will represent our program proudly on the court, in the classroom, and in the community."