FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State women's basketball head coach
Jory Collins has announced two more additions for the 2022 class.
The Bison have added Georgia Baldwin from Eastern Kentucky and Leah Mackenzie from Box Hill Senior Secondary College in Mont Albert, Australia to the 2022 signing class.
"We feel very fortunate to get Georgia the second time around and also that Leah became available at the same time," said Collins. "Leah decommitted with a coaching change at New Mexico State this spring at the same time we were pursuing Georgia. They were high school teammates and it just made sense for us to try and get both. I love their attitudes and mental approach to the game. I can't wait for them to get here and to get to work with them."
Baldwin spent two seasons at Eastern Kentucky and appeared in 11 games. The 6-0 forward also played at Box Hill Senior Secondary College and averaged 15.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. The Melbourne, Australia native helped her team to a 41-1 record and won the Senior Australian School Championships in 2019.
"Georgia was a player we recruited hard out of high school a couple years ago," said Collins. "We thought then, as we do now, that she would bring some toughness and versatility to our roster. We're excited for her to get a fresh start with our program and allow her to play to her potential. She can play a stretch four or big three guard at six feet tall, with the ability to make plays inside and out. She is a great chess piece for our roster and will be able to fit into a variety of roles. I know she is extremely motivated, we're excited to get her with a chip on her shoulder."
Mackenzie averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game over her career at Box Hill Senior Secondary College. The 5-8 guard helped lead Box Hill to the 2017 and 2019 Champions Cup State Championships. She was also a 2017 Intermediate Australian School Championship and 2019 Seniors Australian School Championship gold medalist.
"We have been working to get a true point guard into the program and Leah is exactly that," said Collins. "She has tremendous feel for the position, and can score at all three levels. She will be able to make plays for herself and others in the ball screen actions we run. Coming out of high school she is physically ready for Division I basketball, Leah is very strong already."
The duo joins Taylor Brown, Kristina Ekofo Yomane, Abbie Draper, Elle Evans, Marwa Bedziri and Abby Graham in the 2022 signing class.