Beaver Ink No. 12 Recruiting Class
November 12, 2015 | Women's Basketball
CORVALLIS – The Oregon State women's basketball team welcomed in the highest-rated signing class in school history Wednesday, as the Beavers signed four outstanding players to National Letters of Intent.
Mikayla Pivec, Kat Tudor, Madison Washington and Janessa Thropay will all join Oregon State as freshmen in the 2016-17 season, as part of a signing class that is ranked No. 12 in the nation by Prospects Nation.
“As our coaching staff projected for the future, we knew that this was going to be an important recruiting class for our program, and today we are excited to announce the top ranked recruiting class in Oregon State history,” said Oregon State head coach Scott Rueck. “This group of four is made of dynamic individuals who come from outstanding families and basketball programs. Each has a strong desire to be elite and has reached incredible heights due to their unrelenting work ethics. They love Oregon State, and today joined Beaver Nation, determined to add to the traditions of our women's basketball program both on and off the court.”
Mikayla Pivec
5-9 Guard
Lynwood, Wash.
Lynwood High School (Head Coach Everett Edwards)
ECBA Swish (Head Coach Sam Adams)
Pivec (Lynnwood, Wash.) is the highest rated recruit in Oregon State history, coming to the program with a five-star rating and ranked as the No. 24 player in the nation by ESPN. She won a state title at Lynwood High School in 2015, and has helped lead the team to three state tournament berths. Pivec averaged 20.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.3 assists in her junior season, on her way to Gatorade Washington Player of the Year and AP Player of the Year honors.
“Mik is one of the most outstanding athletes nationally in this recruiting class,” Rueck said. “It is rare to come across a player with her combination of elite skill and athleticism. She seemingly glides around the court and never stops. Mik impacts the game every way possible, as she is a flat-out incredible rebounder, is awesome in the open court, attacks the basket ferociously with either hand, can stroke the three and finishes at the rim as well as anyone. She is loved by her teammates, respected by her opponents and has the ideal combination of humility and earned confidence. She is the ultimate competitor and a success in everything she does. From the beginning of the recruitment process it was clear OSU and Mik were a perfect fit.”
Pivec has earned a pair of All-State honors from the Tacoma News Tribune, and led the state in rebounding during her sophomore season (14.9 per game). She has also proven herself as a multi-sport athlete, setting school records in track for the 800-meter, 1600-meter, 4x400-meter relay and the javelin throw.
ESPN scout on Pivec: Fundamental combo-guard handles and distributes in transition; manufactures with body control off the dribble, finishes plays in traffic; consistent mid-range game producer.
Kat Tudor
6-0 Guard
Stockton, Calif.
Saint Mary's High School (Head Coach Tom Gonsalves)
Cal Stars (Head Coach Kelly Sopak)
Tudor (Stockton, Calif.) joins the Beavers from Saint Mary's high school, the same program that gave Oregon State standout guard Ali Gibson. Tudor has earned a four-star rating, and is ranked the No. 42 player in the country by Prospects Nation and No. 57 by ESPN. She is the fourth player in Saint Mary's history to start all four years of her high school career, and the team enters the 2015-16 season ranked No. 1 in the nation. Tudor helped lead her team to a California State title last season, and holds the 3-point record for the California Open Division Championship.
“Kat is known for being the best long-range shooter in the nation for this recruiting class,” Rueck said. “She will help to continue our program's legacy of great three-point shooting. Kat is way more than just a shooter, however. She is an outstanding defender and has the ability to take the ball to the basket, and finish with both hands. No one plays harder. Kat has been trained by outstanding coaches, and has won at the highest level both in high school and with her club team. A fierce competitor, she is driven to be the best. Kat is a perfect fit in our system and our program.”
Tudor has exceled at the club level, playing for Cal Stars in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, helping her squad win the 2015 Nike National Championship. She was one of the top 3-point shooters in the Nike EYBL in the 2014 and 2015 seasons, and earned a spot on the Nike Nationals All-Tournament Team in 2015.
ESPN scout on Tudor: Agility and length on the perimeter commands respect from the defense with consistent range beyond the arc; added dribble-drive attack to offensive arsenal brings panic to defenders; brings a scorer's mentality in the back court; among the most improved prospects in the class of 2016 and one of the elite shooters in the nation.
Madison Washington
6-1 Wing
Las Vegas, Nev.
Bishop Gorman High School (Head Coach Sheryl Krmpotich)
GBL Lady Rebels Candace Parker (Head Coach Sherri Pegues)
Washington (Las Vegas, Nev.) averaged 12 points and nine rebounds per game in her junior season at Bishop Gorman High School, and is ranked 65th in the country by Prospects Nation. She was a First-Team All-State selection and regional MVP last year. Washington has helped the Gaels finish second at the Nevada state championships twice in her career (2013 and 2015) and has played in 87 games with the varsity team.
“Maddie is an extremely versatile player that can play face-up on the perimeter or with her back to the basket inside,” Rueck said. “She can knock down the three and attack with either hand. She is tough on the boards and finishes exceptionally well. Maddie fits our style perfectly as a playmaking scorer/passer and a gritty defender. She is known for her extreme competitiveness and her relentless work ethic. Maddie is an outstanding leader, a great teammate and a perfect fit at Oregon State.”
Washington has also earned some attention from USA Basketball, earning a selection as a Team USA U17 candidate. The forward has been nominated for Gatorade Player of the Year and was a Las Vegas Sun Super Seven Girls Basketball selectee.
ESPN scout on Washington: College ready frame on the perimeter; brings mid-range game to the arc; manufactures, elevates inside 15' effectively; potential next level impact
Janessa Thropay
6-2 Forward
Chino, Calif.
Chino Hills High School (Head Coach Stan Stewart)
Cal Storm Team Taurasi (Head Coach George Quintero)
Thropay (Chino, Calif.) will join the Beavers following a standout career at Chino Hills High School. She was the Baseline Basketball League MVP in 2015, and also earned First Team All-Region and Second Team All-State honors. Thropay has received a four-star rating, and is among ESPN's top-20 forwards in the country.
“How many intangibles can one person possess?” Rueck said. “Janessa impacts a basketball team in every way possible. She can score inside and out, is an outstanding passer, and rebounds and defends with the best. In addition to those skills, Janessa consistently brings a contagious energy and charisma that helps to galvanize her teams. She fits our power forward position very well with her underrated playmaking ability, and is versatile enough to move to the wing or even to the center spot in certain match-ups. Janessa is a winner and a warrior, and will simply find a way to get the job done and help her team be successful. She is the perfect person at the perfect time for our program.”
Thropay, who averaged 10 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game in her junior campaign, is also a multi-sport athlete, and has received Division I scholarship offers for volleyball as well.
ESPN scout on Thropay: Strong and versatile face up-4 performer; stretches the defense to the arc; blue-collar game competes on glass, rebounds and initiates fast break.
The Beavers will open their 2015-16 season on Friday when they play host to Longwood at Gill Coliseum. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for a special pregame ceremony, as the Beavers unveil their Pac-12 Championship banner. For tickets to Friday's game and for all home games this season, including Dec. 19's matchup with Tennessee, visit BeaverTickets.com.
