SIOUX FALLS – In the early signing period, University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball head coach Travis Traphagen announced the signing of three student-athletes, who will continue their academic and athletic careers at USF. Krystal Carlson of Hastings, Minn., Ke James of Lakeville, Minn. and Hannah Jones of Dodgeville, Wis. complete USF's early signing period, which opened Wednesday, Nov. 8.

 

"It's always great when you can get three high-caliber players at each position in a recruiting class," Traphagen said. "All three players fit into our system and we are thrilled with the quality of people they are. Krystal [Carlson] is a versatile wing/forward who is highly ranked in several publications and we are excited to add her playmaking to the team. Ke [James] is another versatile player and she is extremely skilled in the post, both facing up and with her back to the basket. Hannah [Jones] is what I always look for in a point guard; she can score and really guide a team. Adding these players to the mix, the future is really bright for USF Basketball. "
 
A 5-foot-11 wing/forward from Hastings, Minn., Krystal Carlson already has an impressive resume as she enters her senior season at Hastings High School. Playing a multitude of positions for the Raiders, Carlson has been named All-Metro East Conference three times and she was recognized as the conference MVP her junior season. In her junior campaign, she averaged 18.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and more than two blocks and steals per game. Carlson has 1,698 points and 1,093 rebounds in her career while also playing volleyball and competing in track and field. Krystal is the daughter of Angie and Erik Carlson and she plans to study sports medicine at USF.

 

Hailing from Lakeville, Minn., Kiara "Ke" James enters her senior season after averaging a double-double in 2016-17. The 6-foot-2 forward/center averaged 12.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in her junior campaign at Lakeville North High School. A two-year letterwinner, James earned All-South Suburban Conference honors, leading the Panthers to a 28-4 record last season. James also was a member of the Panther track and field team. Ke is the daughter of Diane James and she plans to study criminal justice at USF.

 

After averaging more than 20 points per game as a junior, 5-foot-7 point guard Hannah Jones enters her senior season with high expectations before she joins the USF Women's Basketball program. Jones posted 25 points, four steals and three assists per game as a junior and she collected all-conference honors for the third straight season. She was named the All Area Co-Player of the Year and honorable mention all-region after her junior season. A four-year starter, Jones was voted team MVP each of the past two seasons and she enters her senior season with 1,175 career points. Hannah is the daughter of Kevin and Stacy Jones and she plans to major in exercise science at USF.
 
The USF Women's Basketball open the 2017-18 season when they host Presentation College on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m.
 
Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, University of Sioux Falls is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.