Stony Brook, N.Y. - Head women's basketball coach Caroline McCombs signed five standout student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday during the NCAA's early signing period.

The 2020-21 class consists of one point guard, two combo guard/forwards, and two forwards. All five are proven winners, leading their high schools deep into the playoffs in their high school careers.

"We are excited to welcome our newest Seawolves to Stony Brook!" said head coach Caroline McCombs. "This recruiting class enables our team to get stronger and add more depth at every position. We have added a lot of versatility, skill, athleticism, and high IQ players to build a championship-caliber program. Academically, we were pleased to find student-athletes who fit our profile and want to compete at the highest level in the classroom, as well as on the basketball court."

6-1 F McKenzie Bushee (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Mt. Lebanon HS)

Bushee, a WPIAL Player to Watch as a junior, averaged 14.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg and 2.8 bpg last season to earn Almanac Girls All-Star Honorable Mention honors. She saved her best moments for the biggest occasions, scoring 22 points to lead Mt. Lebanon High School to the WPIAL Quarterfinals.

Caroline McCombs on McKenzie Bushee: "Kenzie is a solid, fundamental player. She is a physical presence in the paint and knows how to use her body well on both ends. I've been impressed with her ability to run the floor and keep the pressure on the defense for an entire game. Her length allows her to contain and contest, which will help us continue to have a strong defensive foundation in our program."

Dori Oldaker, Head Coach, Mt. Lebanon High School: "I remember when Kenzie was in 7th or 8th grade and she was participating in the Mt. Lebanon youth girls summer basketball camp. I was impressed with how she played, so I approached her and asked her if she liked basketball. She said, 'No coach, I love basketball!' with a huge smile. She hasn't stopped smiling since."

"Kenzie is an extremely coachable player who has worked very hard for all of her accolades. At Mt. Lebanon, we are looking forward to her having a great senior season with us, but we are also excited that she is continuing her love for the game of basketball at the next level at Stony Brook. Her future is very bright and she has every reason to keep on smiling!"

McKenzie Bushee on Stony Brook: I chose Stony Brook because I absolutely couldn't imagine myself anywhere else. I fell in love with the combination of prestigious academics and high-level, competitive basketball. I really put my trust in my faith and it led me to Stony Brook!! I am so happy to be able to go to SBU and compete at a level that I have always dreamed of playing at. Stony Brook is a beautiful campus with beautiful facilities and a beautiful arena. I am so happy to be going to Stony Brook!" 

5-7 G Chantz Cherry (Decatur, Ga. / Southwest Dekalb, H.S.)

Cherry has starred three seasons for Southwest Dekalb High School, one of the top women's basketball programs in the state of Georgia. With Cherry at the controls, the Lady Panthers have compiled a record of 79-17 over the last three seasons. Cherry's junior season was her best to date as she captained the Lady Panthers to a No. 2 ranking in the state of Georgia and a Class 5A state championship en route to all-region accolades.

Caroline McCombs on Chantz Cherry: "Chantz is a tough, defensive-minded player. She will add another dimension to our program by bringing in her continuous energy on both ends of the floor. She is a heady offensive player who is very unselfish and knows how to lead a team."

Tonya Jackson, Head Coach, Douglasville Lady Tigers Girls AAU: "Chantz Cherry a very athletic guard with tremendous confidence. She is very effective with her trained ball handling skills. Her quick knowledge of the game creates both shots and assists for her teammates. Chantz is one of the best on-ball defenders I have ever coached . She is a skilled one-on-one player who shows the ability to consistently make plays on both ends of the court."

Chantz Cherry on Stony Brook: "I chose Stony Brook because I feel that it is a great fit for me. I love the area, the academic success rates are wonderful, and the coaching staff and team are the best. I hope to learn and grow as a player and person while I'm there and look forward to the experience."

5-11 G/F Jonae Cox (Portsmouth, Va. / Woodrow Wilson H.S.)

Cox has enjoyed three stellar seasons as a standout for Churchland High School where she was a two-time 4A conference leading scorer and two-time first team all-conference selection. She also garnered 4A Freshman of the Year honors in 2013-14. Cox averaged career-highs of 21.4 ppg and 7.5 rpg as a junior for Churchland before electing to transfer to Woodrow Wilson High School for her senior season. Cox has excelled in the Boo Williams travel circuit, winning Team MVP for the BWSL Gold 16U Nike Travel Team in 2016.

Caroline McCombs on Jonae Cox: "Jonae is a high-motor player who competes from start to finish. She has outstanding length and can play multiple positions. She has a innate skill for attacking the basket and is also a relentless defender."

Morris Smith, Head Coach, Boo Williams Girls AAU: "I am really excited that Coach McCombs and Stony Brook University will have the good fortune to call Jonae Cox a Seawolf. Stony Brook will be given the opportunity to experience firsthand what we have known in the Boo Williams organization for many years, that Jonae Cox is the epitome of a student-athlete. She will be a wonderful role model for girls in the Long Island community" 

Jonae Cox on Stony Brook:  I chose Stony Brook because of my relationship with the coaching staff. The staff was very welcoming and made me feel like Stony Brook was the right fit for me. Not only does Stony Brook have a great staff, but it has great academics. The school offers great Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs and has a beautiful campus. I had a great opportunity to meet with academic advisors while on my visit who showed they would support me to receive the degree that I desire."

6-1 F India Pagan (New London, Conn. / New London H.S.)

Pagan is a dominant force in the paint with 749 career points and 662 career rebounds entering her senior season at New London High School. She led New London to a CIAC Class M State Title as a sophomore and a runner-up finish as a junior, compiling a 66-10 overall record in her three varsity seasons and No. 3 ranking in the state of Connecticut. Pagan, a Connecticut High School Regional All-Star, was invited to compete for the Puerto Rican Junior National Team at the U-18 FIBA Americas in Chile this summer with current Stony Brook freshman Giolibeth Perez. She helped Puerto Rico advance out of pool play by leading the team in rebounding. Her best game was a 20 point, 11 rebound performance in an upset win over Mexico.

Caroline McCombs on India Pagan: "India has a strong interior presence. She has great hands, is excellent in pick and roll situations, and will be a integral piece to our post game. Her international experience is a tremendous asset and has allowed her to play against some of the best competition worldwide."

Chris Guisti, Head Coach, Connecticut Storm Girls AAU Club: "India always displayed an uncommon maturity and understanding of how to be a student-athlete. She values the opportunity to get better every day and is a caring and selfless teammate. Her parents have instilled this in her, and they deserve tremendous credit for trusting in her coaches and the process of developing into a collegiate athlete. These qualities will continue to serve her well, and she will be a tremendous asset to the Stony Brook women's basketball program. She truly is a special kid." 

India Pagan on Stony Brook: "The reason I chose Stony Brook was because it's everything I was looking for, from the Marine Science program to the amazing basketball program. It has a family atmosphere, great facilities and is not too far from my home. Stony Brook is the perfect fit and I know it's is going to bring out the best in me." 

5-10 G/F Hailey Zeise (Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Allegheny H.S.)

A proven winner and top-notch defender, Zeise has helped guide North Allegheny High School to a 74-12 record in her three varsity seasons and No. 5 ranking in the state of Pennsylvania. Zeise, who averaged 9.6 ppg and 5.1 rpg as a junior, scored a team-high 23 points to lead the Tigers to the WPIAL final in 2015-16.

Caroline McCombs on Hailey Zeise: "Hailey is a tough-minded, fierce competitor whose work ethic is unmatched. She has tremendous athleticism and can shoot the three and attack the rim. Hailey's versatility will also allow her to play multiple positions for us."

Robert Cash, Head Coach, WPA Bruins Girls AAU Club: "Hailey Zeise is the type of player every team must have. She will be the toughest player on the court at all times and plays the game with a style that not many others can emulate.  Hailey is a born winner.  Winners win and winners find a way to win.

Hailey Zeise on Stony Brook: "I chose Stony Brook because it had everything I wanted and more. Between the academics, the location, and the facilities, it was an opportunity that was impossible to pass up. Most of all, I fell in love with coach McCombs and the women's basketball program. The moment I stepped in the gym I knew that it was where I belonged. I couldn't be more excited to be a Seawolf!"