SAN FRANCISCO – Building depth at every position, Academy of Art women's basketball and head coach Krystle Evans have announced the six new student-athletes who compose this year's 2019-20 recruiting class.

"This is a special class to me," said Evans. "Each of these young women is different in their own way. Blending their different talents and skillsets make for a dangerous and explosive group. The addition of these outstanding recruits gives us a talented core of players for years to come. I am thrilled these young women have decided to make ART U part of their family."

Lauren Richardson
A 5-10 forward from Sacramento, Richardson is a junior transfer from Sierra College. After competing in all 32 games as a freshman, she became a regular starter down the stretch in her most recent sophomore season. She averaged 7.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game, dropping a career-high 28 points on 13-of-18 shooting against Modesto on Jan. 3. A two-sport athlete at Inderkum High School, Richardson was a varsity letter winner in basketball for two years and track & field for four years. She also competed for two club teams, Nor Cal Elite and Just Believe Sports. Looking to become a multimedia specialist after college, Richardson plans to major in Fashion Journalism this fall.

"Lauren has a great body frame and shot-blocking ability," said Evans. "She is passionate about fashion and encompasses the core values of our program and institution."

Pam Wilmore
A 5-6 point guard from Las Vegas, Wilmore is a junior transfer from NCAA Division I New Mexico State where she helped the Aggies capture consecutive WAC Tournament championships (one WAC regular season title as well) in her first two years. Wilmore was a two-sport student-athlete at Centennial High School, lettering on varsity for three years with women's basketball and one year with track & field. She averaged 9.0 points, 6.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals as a senior after guiding the Bulldogs to their second-straight Division I state title in her junior season and helping Centennial to a 62-3 overall record and 16-0 league record during her first two seasons. She finished her high school career as a three-time state champion, three-time All-State, two-time First Team All-Division, Second Team All-Division, and Most Valuable Player in the state game as well. Wilmore is set to enter the School of Communications & Media Technologies at Academy of Art.

"Pam is electrifying," said Evans. "She has a bright mind plus she's quick and agile. She does a great job of finding her teammates and, on top of that, she is vocal and plays with high intensity. Pam is a natural-born leader and we are excited to coach her."

Tayler Bennett
A 5-7 guard from Long Beach, Bennett is a graduate student transfer from NCAA DI Rice where she helped the team go 74-27 over three years. A three-year varsity letter winner at St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, Bennett ranked as one of the top 75 shooting guards in the nation by All-Star Girls Report while averaging 13.4 points per game as a junior. Her resume included two All-Santa Cruz League selections, All-State Team honors and a CIF Southern Section Champion of Character Award in 2014-15, Santa Cruz League MVP, All-Del Rey League honors, and two Press Telegram Dream Team selections. Bennett hopes to pursue a future as an architectural designer as a member of the School of Interior Architecture & Design at ART U.

"Tayler is the first graduate transfer our program has ever had and we are truly looking forward to see her in an ART U uniform," said Evans. "She is a gifted scorer and knows how to create her own shot while also creating shots for others. In addition, Tayler is a coach's kid so she knows how to think the game. She is communicative and is battle-tested. Her veteran leadership will be heavily relied upon this season. Tayler's competitive spirit can help take our program to the next level."

Sankia Braxton
A 6-0 forward hailing from Compton, Braxton is a junior transfer from San Joaquin Delta College. She started 29 of her 31 games played and led the team with 14.4 points plus 11.9 rebounds per game, making her responsible for the Mustangs' most rebounds in a single season (370) since 1935. She pushed the team to a 26-6 overall record and CCCAA State Semifinal appearance. Prior to Delta, Braxton redshirted at Eastern Arizona and was All-State at Lynwood High School after averaging 11.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game as a senior. She also competed for her club team, GBL Lady Rebels. Braxton plans to study Communications & Media Technologies at Academy of Art.

"Sankia is one of the most explosive and versatile forwards you will see," said Evans. "She has outstanding athleticism and is capable of being versatile at both the guard spot and inside the post. Her combination of size, speed, and athleticism is extraordinary."

Dajaah Lightfoot
A 6-0 forward from Las Vegas, Lightfoot is a sophomore transfer from Trinity Valley Community College in Texas. As a freshman, she played in all 34 games for the 29-5 Cardinals, ranking second on the team with 5.7 rebounds per game. During her four years on varsity at Desert Oasis High School, Lightfoot averaged 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 44 percent from the field. Among her highlights was breaking the school record with 15 rebounds in a single game. Lightfoot also played for her club team, Lady Heat, for five years. She will begin in ART U's School of Communications & Media Technologies.

"Dajaah is highly skilled with jaw-dropping strength and she refuses to be outrebounded," said Evans. "We love her approach to the game because she never seems rushed or uncomfortable. DJ is a high-intensity person who has the ability to make an immediate impact on the team."

Aari'yanna Sanders
A four-year letter winner in basketball at Clovis West High School, Sanders' resume features two stints as team captain, First Team All-League plus Second Team All-Valley honors, and two selections as Most Inspirational. In her four years, the 5-9 forward helped Clovis West go 127-14 which included four consecutive Tri-Rivers titles following a 39-1 record versus the five other programs that make up the league. Sanders' most memorable highlight came in her sophomore season when the Golden Eagles captured an Open Division State Championship and became ESPN National Champions. Additionally, Sanders played for the Cal Sparks Extreme in Fresno for one year and the Cal Stars in Oakland for four years. She will pursue her dream of becoming a storyboard artist while in the School of Animation & Visual Effects.

"Aari'yanna is a winner and has a tremendous nose for the ball," said Evans. "She is an outstanding player with explosive potential. Every time I see her play, she improves. The sky is truly the limit for her as a player."