“This class brings us another huge addition of talent and potential to continue improving on some of the great things we’re doing here at Purdue. Our ability to keep Indiana’s best kids at home and go steal another great player out of the state of Nebraska speaks volumes about the work that our staff is putting in and the team and culture we’ve built.” - Coach Versyp
nYAGOA gONY
6-2 Forward * Lincoln HS
Lincoln, Nebraska
HIGH SCHOOL
• Two-year varsity letterwinner at Lincoln High School
• Averaged 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.9 blocked shots per game in 2016-17
• Led Nebraska High School Class A in rebounding as a sophomore, grabbing 254 total boards, 10.6 per game
• Added 7.3 points and 2.5 blocks per game in 2015-16
• Three-year honor roll student
NOTEWORTHY
• Tabbed a three-star recruit with an 88 overall grade in the 2018 ESPN Hoopgurlz Recruiting Rankings
• Honorable Mention All-State honoree
• Played in 2017 Under Armor All-American Games
• Member of Cornhusker Shooting Stars and Bison Elite AAU programs
PERSONAL
• Full name: Nyagoa W. Gony
• Intended Major: Business Administration or Political Science
• Birthday: March 22, 2000
• City Born: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
• Parents: John Wigual Ruach and Elizabeth Riek
• Siblings: Sisters: Nyayongah, Sarah and Nyapech, and Brother, Ruach
“Nyagoa’s work ethic, determination and dedication are unwavering. She has the potential to be a game-changer for us and is capable of becoming double-trouble for opponents on each end of the floor.” - Coach Versyp
Cassidy Hardin
5-10 Guard * Center Grove HS
Bargersville, Indiana
HIGH SCHOOL
• Three-year varsity letterwinner in basketball and tennis at Center Grove High School
• Has led her team to a pair of county (2015, 2017) and sectional (2015, 2016) championships
• Averaged 14.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 steals, while hitting 2.4 3-pointers per game to lead her team to a 14-9 record in 2016-17
• Averaged 13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, knocking down 2.6 3’s per game as a sophomore
• Won the 2017 Indiana State Doubles Championship in tennis
• Played on back-to-back state team runner-up tennis teams in 2016 and 2017, earning all-state honors both seasons
• Member of the National Honor Society and owns a cumulative grade point average of 4.4
• Three-time Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference Academic All-Conference pick
• Coached by Kevin Stuckmeyer (basketball) and Debby Burton (tennis)
NOTEWORTHY
• Ranked as a three-star prospect and 90 overall rating by ESPNW Hoop Gurlz, and the No. 28 overall guard in the country
• Rated a four-star prospect by Prospects Nation
• Tabbed a four-star prospect by Jump Off Plus
• Two-time (2016, 2017) All-Indy Area Super Team
• Back-to-back All-Johnson County selection
• 2017 First Team All-Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference
• Two-time (2016, 2017) Hoosier Basketball Magazine All-State honoree
• Ten-time USJN Tournament All-Star selection
• Logged two games with 11 3-pointers, six with 10+ and 5+ on 102 occasions
• Selected as an Indiana Junior All-Star, competing with fellow signee Kayana Traylor against Boilermaker teammate Karissa McLaughlin in the summer of 2017
• Played for Indiana Flight Thunder AAU program under Tony Marlin
PERSONAL
• Full name: Cassidy Nicole Hardin
• Intended Major: Biology
• Birthday: July 6, 2000
• City Born: Indianapolis, Indiana
• Parents: Greg and Kelly Hardin
• Siblings: Sisters, Courtney and Carleigh, Brother, Cameron
“We’re thrilled about Cassidy’s technique and keen eye for shooting. We think we got the best shooter in the country in this class, but she can do everything else. She’s really an exceptional passer, which is an incredible addition to a player who can knock it down the way she can.”
Kayana Traylor
5-9 Point Guard * Martinsville High School
Martinsville, Indiana
HIGH SCHOOL
• Three-year varsity letterwinner and team most valuable player at Martinsville High School
• Led her team to back-to-back conference and sectional championships in 2016 and 2017
• Averaged 22.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in her junior season
• Posted 23.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game as a sophomore
• Tallied freshman averages of 18.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game
• Three-time Martinsville Honor Roll award recipient
• Coached by Vince Carbone
NOTEWORTHY
• Rated the nation’s No. 42 overall recruit with five stars and a 96 overall grade in the 2018 ESPN Hoolgurlz recruiting rankings
• Ranked 31st in the country by Blue Star Report
• Tabbed the nation’s No. 39 recruit by Collegiate Girls Report
• McDonald’s All-America nominee
• 2016 and 2017 Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Underclass Supreme 15
• Named an Indiana Junior core all-star in 2017
• Selected as an Indiana Junior All-Star, competing with fellow signee Cassidy Hardin against Boilermaker teammate Karissa McLaughlin in the summer of 2017
• Played for Indiana Flight Thunder AAU
• Mother, Danielle, played college basketball at LSU
PERSONAL
• Full name: Arnezia Kayana Danielle Traylor
• Intended Major: Psychology
• Birthday: Sept. 27, 1999
• City Born: Martinsville, Indiana
• Parents: Jeff Walker and Danielle Traylor
• Siblings: Sisters: Pashence, Ashlyn and Adelyn
