UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State women’s basketball head coach Carolyn Kieger inked three future Lady Lions throughout the 2024 signing period. Kieger welcomes Rachel Okokoh, a forward from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Shayla Smith, a guard from Philadelphia, Pa and Nyla McFadden, a wing from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to the Penn State women’s basketball program.
RACHAEL OKOKOH
The 6’3 forward will add depth and height to Penn State’s frontcourt. Okokoh attends Capital Courts Academy in Otttawa, Ontario. She was named to the All-Canadian Biosteele team, Canada’s equivalent to the McDonald’s All-American Game.
She also solidified herself as a key contributor on the highly competitive Canadian National Team the last two years. In 2023, Okokoh played with Team Canada U16 in the Americup and represented the Canadian U17 World Cup team this past summer. Additionally, Okokoh was consistently a member of Team Ontario in the Canadian Provincial Championships, earning All-Tournament recognition. The Ottawa native played AAU basketball for Kia Nurse Elite EYBL.
KIEGER ON OKOKOH
Kieger said, “Rachael brings an incredible combination of skill, work ethic, and passion for the game,” said Kieger. “Her dedication to excellence, both academically and athletically, is exactly what we look for in a student-athlete. We can’t wait to see her thrive at Penn State and help elevate our program to new heights.”
OKOKOH ON WHY PENN STATE
“I chose to attend Penn State because it is a great academic school and has a high-level women’s basketball team that is supported by the school and the community.”
SHAYLA SMITH
A Pennsylvania native, Smith has had an impressive high school basketball career thus far at Universal Audenried Charter School. Through the first three years of her high school journey, Smith averaged 25.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. The 5’10 guard became the fastest player in her league to reach 1,000 career points, a record previously held by Dawn Staley. The rising senior enters her final high school campaign with over 1,800 career points in three seasons.
Smith has helped guide her team to two League Championships and one District Championship. Not only has her team achieved greatness, but Smith has collected a slew of accolades herself. She is a two-time first team All-State honoree, three-time first team All-City member and was named the Philadelphia Public League Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024. She had a decorated AAU career as a member of the 16U Philly Rise EYBL Championship Team, earning herself a spot on the first team 16U Nike EYBL in 2023.
KIEGER ON SMITH
“We are thrilled to announce Shayla as a member of the Penn State family,” said Kieger. “Her tenacity on the court, three-level scoring, and relentless drive to improve make her the perfect fit for our program. We’re excited to watch her grow into a key contributor to our team’s success.”
SMITH ON WHY PENN STATE
“Penn State felt the most like home to me throughout my recruiting process. The high level of athletics coupled with elite academics made it an easy decision.”
NYLA MCFADDEN
McFadden, a 6’0 wing, is a member of the women’s basketball program at St. Thomas Aquinas. She has shown impressive performance and leadership during her time at the school, contributing significantly to the team’s success with her scoring and rebounding abilities. Her achievements in back-to-back State Championships during her freshman and sophomore seasons highlight her skills and dedication to the sport.
In 2023-24, McFadden played at Mt. Zion Academy in Maryland before returning to St. Thomas Aquinas for her senior campaign this year where she is poised for an impactful final season. Additionally, she has had a successful travel basketball career, playing for Essence EYBL out of Florida.
COACH KIEGER ON MCFADDEN
“Nyla is a relentless competitor with great versatility and a high basketball IQ,” said Kieger. “She embodies the core values of Lady Lion Basketball and has great leadership qualities. We are proud to welcome her to our team and look forward to seeing her leave her mark on the court and beyond.”
MCFADDEN ON WHY PENN STATE
“I chose Penn State because when visiting, it felt like a home away from home and I could see myself thriving there for the next four years.”