Utah State Women's Basketball Signs Five for 2015-16 Season

Utah State [University] women's basketball head coach Jerry Finkbeiner has announced the addition of five players for the 2015-16 season. Taylor Enders, Lindsey Jensen, Deja Mason, Antoina Robinson and Katie Toole are the newest members of the Aggie program, signing National Letters of Intent or letters of acceptance Wednesday [Nov. 12].

“Across the board, all five of these girls fit in with what we’re trying to do with our up-tempo gameplan,” Finkbeiner said. “All five are excellent students and really well-rounded people. We feel like Cache Valley and Utah State will respond well to these five players. They are all ready to contribute and help us make that next step in our progression as a program.”

Robinson is a native of Dallas, Texas, She has played AAU basketball for six years and was a two-year letterwinner for Duncanville High School. Out of high school, Robinson played her freshman season at Arkansas-Little Rock. There, she played in 13 games, averaging 0.8 points and 0.9 rebounds per game. Robinson will spend the 2014-15 season at New Mexico Junior College before joining the Aggies. She is the daughter of Antoine and Ericka Robinson.

“Antoina comes from one of the most storied and famous basketball high schools in the country in Duncanville High School,” Finkbeiner said. “She won two state championships in Texas, which is big time. She's tall and athletic. She'll come in here with two years experience, which will help her make an immediate impact for the Aggies.”

Enders is a native of West Linn, Ore., entering her senior season at West Linn High School. She helped lead the Lions to a 17-9 record last season, ending in the second round of the 6A playoffs. She also plays club basketball for Fast Elite. Enders is the daughter of Jeremy and Tracy Smith.

“Taylor is one of the top guards out of Oregon,” Finkbeiner said. “She is very athletic and has a good intensity and edge about her game. She’s a competitor and a fighter. We forecast a high ceiling for her in our program.”

Jensen, a local player, coming to USU from Smithfield, Utah, and Sky View High School, signed a letter of acceptance to attend Utah State. Jensen is a four-year letterwinner for the Bobcats. As a junior, she averaged 18.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 steals per game. At the end of her junior season, Jensen was named the All-Valley Player of the Year as well as the Region 5 MVP. She was also named to the USA Today All-Utah First-Team. Jensen also plays volleyball for the Bobcats and played club basketball for Salt Lake Metro and Cache Valley Elite. She is the daughter of Brian and Liz Jensen.

“Lindsey is right out of our backyard,” Finkbeiner said. “She’s considered by many to be the best three-point shooter in the state. Sky View has put themselves on the map in high school basketball over the last couple of years, and Lindsey has been a big part of that. She’s a great student and I think she has a chance to make her mark early here at Utah State.”

Mason hails from San Antonio, Texas, where she is a three-year letterwinner at Brennan High School. As a junior center, Mason averaged 6.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. She helped the Bears to a 34-2 record and the 6A state semi-finals last season. She also plays club basketball for the San Antonio Finest. She is the daughter of Frank and Cindi Mason.

“Deja came on an official visit and really responded well to what Cache Valley and Utah State have to offer,” Finkbeiner said. “She is a post player that runs the floor well and is a good shot blocker. She's 6-foot-4, and we can always use height in the program.”

Toole is also an in-state recruit, coming to Utah State from Bountiful, Utah, and Viewmont High School. As a junior, she averaged 15.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. Following that season, she was named to the All-Region 2 and 5A All-State second-teams. Toole plays club basketball with Salt Lake Metro Black and is a track and field standout, winning the state championship in high jump last season.

“We consider Katie to be one of the best high school athletes in the state,” Finkbeiner said. “She brings athleticism and speed at the guard spot. Those are valuable assets coming into our program with our up-tempo style of play. She will be a good fit in our program.”

Utah State officially opens the 2014-15 season this weekend, when it travels to Oregon for a Pac-12 double-header. The Aggies will take on Oregon Friday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. (MT), followed by a game at No. 20 Oregon State Sunday, Nov. 16, at 3 p.m. (MT).

Aggie women's basketball tickets will be available by contacting the USU Athletics Ticket Office at (435) 797-0305 or at 1-888-U-STATE-1 (1-888-878-2831) for more information or visit the Utah State athletics web site at www.UtahStateAggies.com.

Fans can follow USU women's basketball on Twitter, on Instagram, as well as on Facebook. Aggie fans can also follow Utah State Athletics on Twitter, on Instagram and on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.

Additional Aggie sports news is available at the Athletics website.