Lady Lions Ink Top-20 Recruiting ClassLady Lions Ink Top-20 Recruiting Class

Lady Lions Ink Top-20 Recruiting Class

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State women's basketball head coach Coquese Washington has signed the No. 18 recruiting class in the nation as ranked by the ESPNW HoopGurlz Class Rankings, with five signees inking their National Letters of Intent during the November signing period.
 
The five-member class is comprised of Mya Bembry (West Orange, N.J.), Anna Camden (Downingtown, Pa.), Madison Greene (Pickerington, Ohio), Jayla James (Upper Marlboro, Md.) and Makenna Marisa (McMurray, Pa.). The five new Lady Lions, who will join the program as the Class of 2023, will bring accomplished athletic and academic pedigrees to Penn State.
 
"This class is a great compliment to the players we already have on our roster and brings depth at both the guard and the forward positions," said Washington. "They have a lot of ball skills in passing, shooting, dribbling and defensive skills. They are tremendous compliments to who we already have on our roster and will help us to continue to compete at the highest level."
 
Below are the five members of the Lady Lion Class of 2023.

 
Mya Bembry
6-1 Wing | West Orange, N.J. | West Orange High School |iExcel

  • Ranked as the No. 120 player in the Class of 2019 by Blue Star Basketball Report and the No. 48 player at her position by College Girls Basketball Report.
  • Has totaled high school career numbers of 1,288 points (16.1 ppg), 792 rebounds (9.9 rpg), 191 assists (2.39 apg), 312 steals (3.9 spg) and 96 blocks (1.2 bpg) in 80 games played for West Orange High School.
  • Led high school squad to a 55-12 overall record over the last two seasons, earning Essex County Player of the Year and Team MVP honors in both years.
  • Guided the Mountaineers to a sectional championship as a junior to earn second team All-State and first team All-Conference laurels.
  • Also helped West Orange to a conference championship as a sophomore.
  • An accomplished all-around athlete, Bembry also lettered in soccer for three years.
  • Holds high honor roll distinction and ranks in the top 15 percent of her 481-person class.
  • Highly involved in community service initiatives including Run/Walk for Nikhil and Help Henry Beat Cancer Project.

Personal: Full name is Mya Jenae Bembry…Daughter of Larry and Sandra Bembry…Has one brother…Cousin, Al Williams, played collegiate basketball at Villanova…Intended major is Architectural Engineering.
 
Why Mya Chose Penn State: "After my unofficial visit, I knew that Penn State would be one of my top schools. I loved the family-like atmosphere, and the top-of-the-line academic facilities. It seemed like the best of both worlds which is why I chose Penn State."



Anna Camden
6-3 Forward | Downingtown, Pa. | The Shipley School | Philadelphia Belles

  • Ranked as the No. 82 player in the Class of 2019 by Blue Star Basketball Report and the No. 31 player at her position by College Girls Basketball Report.
  • Led The Shipley School to a pair of state championships as a sophomore and a junior.
  • Earned first team All-State, USA Today All-Pennsylvania, first team All-Conference and All-Mainline laurels following exceptional junior campaign in which her 17.9 points per game ranked in the top-10 in Southeastern Pennsylvania and she led The Shipley School to its second-straight state championship.
  • Through her junior year, she has totaled 1,143 points, 771 rebounds, 215 blocks, 97 steals and 81 assists.
  • Is a three-time All-Conference and All-Mainline selection.
  • Elected as team captain for sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
  • Also lettered in lacrosse each year of her high school career.

Personal: Full name is Anna Catherine Camden…Daughter of Tex and Susan Camden…Has one younger brother and two older sisters…Has an aunt and uncle that attended Penn State…Intended major is broadcast journalism.
 
Why Anna Chose Penn State: "I chose Penn State because it checked off all by boxes: coaches I can trust, a big-time basketball program, an amazing College of Communications, close to home, and more."
 



Madison Greene
5-8 Guard | Pickerington, Ohio | Pickerington Central High School | West Virginia Thunder

  • Ranked as the No. 60 overall player and No. 13 point guard in the Class of 2019 by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.
  • Has led Pickerington Central to a 77-11 over her three full seasons and guided the team to a State Championship in 2018 and three-straight OCC Championships.
  • High school teammate of current Lady Lion freshman Bexley Wallace.
  • Has tallied 1,015 points, 355 assists and 323 rebounds.
  • Earned first team All-State honors as a junior.
  • Is a three-time first team All-District and first team All-Conference honoree.
  • Strong in the classroom as well, she has earned distinguished honor roll status in all four years of high school and is a National Honor Society member.

 
Personal: Full name is Madison Ashlee Greene…Daughter of Anthony Greene and Lora Scott…Has two younger brothers…Intended major is undecided.
 
Why Madison Chose Penn State: "I chose Penn State because of the strong relationships I developed with the coaches and the players."
 



Jayla James
6-1 Wing | Upper Marlboro, Md. | Riverdale Baptist High School | Team Takeover

  • Ranked as the No. 22 player at her position by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.
  • Has helped Riverdale Baptist High School to a 74-8 record over her three full seasons, including Independent School National Championship as a junior.
  • Riverdale Baptist is the same high school as current Lady Lion freshman Lauren Ebo.
  • Guided her Team Takeover AAU team to a 48-2 record in the summer of 2017.
  • Is an honor roll student and has completed 100-plus hours of community service.

 
Personal: Full name is Jayla James…Daugher of Ron and Gina James…Has two sisters…Father, Ron, played basketball at Lincoln University and held the single-season assists record…Sister, Raven, is currently a member of the women's basketball team at Villanova…Undecided on intended major.
 
Why Jayla Chose Penn State: "I chose Penn State because every time I went to visit, there was never a time I felt like I shouldn't be there. The atmosphere on campus is better than anyone can imagine. I love the team and the coaches because they have my best interest at heart."
 



Makenna Marisa
5-11 Guard | McMurray, Pa. | Peters Township High School | Western PA Bruins

  • Ranked as the No. 58 overall player and No. 17 player at her position in the Class of 2019 by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report, as well as the No. 64 overall player by Blue Star Basketball Report.
  • Earned Pittsburgh Post Gazette Player of the Year honors as well as first team All-State and first team All-District honors as a junior after leading her Peters Township High School team to a conference championship and WPIAL runner-up status.
  • Enters senior season with 1,125 total career points.
  • Is a three-time All-Section honoree.
  • Also lettered in soccer.

 
Personal: Full name is Makenna Marisa…Daughter of Kameron and Donna Marisa…Has two older brothers, both of whom currently attend Penn State, and one twin sister…Mother, Donna, played basketball and softball at Penn State Behrend…Grandfather, Rudy, was a member of Penn State's 1954 NCAA Final Four men's basketball team…Intended major is undecided.
 
Why Makenna Chose Penn State: "I love the coaches, the team and the family atmosphere. Penn State is a school I've always known and a part of me has always wanted to go to Penn State."