(November 12, 2008)--The Baylor Lady Bear basketball program signed five players to National Letters of Intent (NLI), head coach Kim Mulkey announced today. Inking with Baylor in the early signing period, which began today, were guards Shanay Washington (Austin, Texas), Jordan Madden (Lepanto, Ark.) and Kimetria "NaeNae" Hayden (Dallas, Texas), forward Mariah Chandler (Atlanta, Ga.) and post Brittney Griner (Houston, Texas).

The quintet is definitely the program's top-ranked recruiting class and will contend for the nation's top recruiting class. All of the signees are ranked among the top 60 nationally.

"The fact that four of these five signees committed to our program long ago speaks volumes about these student-athletes and their families; they upheld their commitment and never wavered. I believe this recruiting class will be ranked quite high and that brings great recognition to our program. The future of Lady Bear Basketball is very exciting," said Mulkey. "All of these players are athletically gifted and will make an immediate impact in our program."

Mariah Chandler - 6-2, Forward, Atlanta, Ga. (Southwest Atlanta Christian)

Chandler is a left-hander who can play both inside and outside and runs the floor well. The 6-2 forward sat out the 2007-08 season rehabilitating a knee injury (ACL) but averaged 16.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals per game as a sophomore. She is a two-time first-team all-state Class A (2006, '07) selection by the Georgia Sports Writers Association, was named an all-star at the 2007 Junior Phenoms Camp and attended the adidas Top Ten Camp in 2006. Despite not playing last season, Chandler ranks No. 16 by both ESPNU's HoopGurlz and Allstar Girls Report and No. 29 by the Collegiate Girls Report. Prior to her injury, Chandler had been ranked among the nation's top 10 on every ranking list.

Brittney Griner - 6-8, Post, Houston, Texas (Nimitz, HS)

Griner, at 6-8, is the nation's most dominating prep player and ranks No. 1 by virtually every major national rating service. The athletic post can elevate at the rim and dunk with ease, create off the dribble, post up, and, with her 86-inch wingspan, be an intimidator on defense. Griner helped the 2007-08 Nimitz HS team to a 27-8 record and finished the season averaging 24.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, 5.9 blocks and shot 64 percent from the field. She recorded four triple doubles and 30 double-doubles as a junior. Griner was a 2007-08 first-team all-state and all-region Class 5A selection by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches as well as a first-team all-Greater Houston pick by the Houston Chronicle. In the first game of her senior year (Tuesday, Nov. 11) Griner scored 21 points, blocked 25 shots and hauled down 13 rebounds against Alief Hastings HS.

Kimetria "NaeNae" Hayden - 5-11, Guard, Dallas, Texas (Lincoln HS)

Hayden, a versatile athlete who can score from the paint or perimeter, averaged 17.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists while leading Dallas' Lincoln HS to the 2008 Class 4A state title. Hayden was named the 2008 Dallas Morning News' Girls Player of the Year and was tabbed the Class 4A state tournament's Most Valuable Player. She is ranked No. 56 by Collegiate Girls Report.

Jordan Madden - 6-0, Guard, Lepanto, Ark. (East Poinsett County HS)

Madden, a 6-0 guard who possess both speed and strength, led her East Poinsett County HS team to the Class 3A state finals where she scored 45 of the team's 51 points in the title game. The Arkansas native is a two-time Class 3A All-State selection and a 2007 AAU Junior All-American pick. Madden ranks No. 58 by both ESPNU's HoopGurlz and Allstar Girls Report, No. 57 by the Collegiate Girls Report.

Shanay Washington - 6-1, Guard, Austin, Texas (Del Valle HS)

Washington, a 6-1 guard, is a very strong, quick player with sound fundamentals. She sat out her junior season with an ACL injury but is fully rehabilitated. The Austin, Texas, native earned first-team all-state and all-region honors twice (2006, '07) as well as 2007 District 26 4A MVP honors and 2006 Street & Smith All-American honorable mention honor. She played in the 2007 USA Basketball Youth Development Festival, earning a gold medal with the undefeated white team. As a sophomore, Washington averaged 20.7 points and 12.0 rebounds at Del Valle HS. Washington is listed No. 4 by the Collegiate Girls Report, No. 5 by Allstar Girls Report and No. 64 by ESPNU's HoopGurlz.

2008-09 Baylor Lady Bear Signees

Mariah Chandler - 6-2, Forward, Atlanta, Ga. (Southwest Atlanta Christian)

Brittney Griner - 6-8, Post, Houston, Texas (Nimitz, HS)

Kimetria "NaeNae" Hayden - 5-11, Guard, Dallas, Texas (Lincoln HS)

Jordan Madden - 6-0, Guard, Lepanto, Ark. (East Poinsett County HS)

Shanay Washington - 6-1, Guard, Austin, Texas (Del Valle HS)