HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky women's basketball head coach Camryn Whitaker announced the addition of four incoming freshmen for the 2020-21 basketball season as Kennedy Igo, Emma Palmer, Christyan Reid and Ellie Taylor signed their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.
 
"I'm extremely excited about our 2020 recruiting class," said Whitaker. "The addition of Emma and Christyan brings us a great deal of physicality and size down low. Kennedy and Ellie are scoring guards that are tough and athletic from the guard position. As a whole, this class brings size, toughness and skills at each position that will help elevate our program."
 
Igo is an in-state product out of Mount Sterling, Kentucky, where she plays at George Rogers Clark High School. The 5-foot-7 point guard was named the 10^th Region Player of the Year in her junior campaign and was named to both the all-region and all-state first teams, helping GRC advance to the Elite Eight of the KHSAA state championship for the third-straight season. Igo has averaged 12.6 points and 3.7 assists per game and has been an asset from long range, sinking 167 triples at an impressive 42.5 percent throughout three seasons.
 
What Coach Whitaker is saying about Kennedy Igo: "The best way to describe Kennedy is tough. She's one of the fiercest competitors I've watched play the game in a while. Not only can she impact the game on the offensive end with her scoring and passing ability, she is also relentless on the defensive end of the floor! Kennedy has a great feel for the game and is a natural leader."
 
Palmer joins the Norse out of Mount Juliet, Tennessee. The 6-foot-1 center preps at Mount Juliet High School, where she is a two-time Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State Second-Team honoree and two-time player of the year nominee for the Tennessean. Palmer has also been an all-district honoree in her three varsity seasons and was named the district MVP in 2019. She has been a consistent presence for the Golden Bears, averaging 18.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in her three varsity seasons. Palmer also competes on the track & field team, throwing shot put and discus.
 
What Coach Whitaker is saying about Emma Palmer: "Emma brings a physicality in the low block that will help our team tremendously on both ends of the court! She also has the ability to play with her back to the basket and has great touch around the rim. Emma is also an aggressive rebounder and will be a great paint protector defensively. I look forward to watching her develop and having the opportunity to coach her!"
 
Reid is a 6-foot-3 center from Strasburg, Virginia, where she preps at Strasburg High School. As a three-year letter winner for the Rams, Reid has scored over 1,000 career points and is a first team all-district honoree and first player all-district. In addition to her scoring, Reid has consistently averaged 9.0 rebounds per game and has dished out at least 5.0 assists per game in each of her seasons at Strasburg.
 
What Coach Whitaker is saying about Christyan Reid: "At 6-foot-3, Christyan brings much needed size to our team. She has a physical presence that you simply cannot teach! Her aggressive mentality and willingness to do whatever she needs to do for the team's success is immeasurable. Christyan is a rebounder who can alter many shots in the paint and can score around the rim."
 
Taylor is another in-state talent, joining the Norse out of Elizabethtown High School. The Bardstown, Kentucky, native is a 5-foot-10 guard/wing and is a three-sport athlete, also lettering in volleyball and soccer. Taylor transferred to Elizabethtown prior to her junior season and helped the Panthers to a 30-5 record by stuffing the stat sheet at 9.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.1 apg and 1.9 spg. She has also excelled academically, earning All-A honor roll at Elizabethtown.
 
What Coach Whitaker is saying about Ellie Taylor: "I love the size that Ellie brings to our team at the guard position. In my opinion, her best attributes are her ability to push the ball in transition and her passing ability. She has great court vision and makes everyone on the court better! Ellie also brings athleticism and can score in a variety of ways."