Edmonds’ Inaugural Signing Class Ranks No. 1 in C-USA

HOUSTON – Rice women's basketball first year head coach Lindsay Edmonds announced her inaugural signing class on Wednesday (11/10) with the addition of five future Owls for the 2022-23 season.

Hailey Adams (San Antonio, Texas/Tom C. Clark HS), Jazzy Owens-Barnett (Plano, Texas/Frisco Liberty HS), Kennedy Clifton (Upper Marlboro, Md./Bishop Ireton HS), Dominique Ennis (Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, Ontario/Kings Christian Collegiate), and Shelby Hayes (Cedar Park, Texas/Cedar Park HS) will all join the Owls next season.

"I am thrilled to announce the signing of our first class here at Rice University," Edmonds said. "My staff and I really hit the ground running with recruiting the moment we stepped onto campus. We targeted young ladies who we felt could come in and not only fill needs but also make immediate impacts on the team and program. We searched for recruits who would compete for excellence, not only on the court, but in the classroom as well as the community. I am so ecstatic because this group truly exemplifies that. The class of 2022 are proven winners on the court, great students who will thrive at this elite university and most importantly, they are all unbelievable people who embody our core values. I have no doubt that Hailey, Kennedy, Dominique, Shelby, and Jazzy will help us to continue to compete for conference championships in the years to come. Rice fans, I can't wait for you to meet and watch this wonderful class truly shine on the court. The future of Rice Women's Basketball is bright!"

Dan Olson, Director of Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
"Rice, under first year head coach Lindsay Edmonds, lands the top spot in Conference USA and the No. 32 overall class by the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. Four of those signees rank nationally, with two of the higher ranked prospects forming a superb backcourt for the future."

Hailey Adams – 6'1" – Guard
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
High School: Tom C. Clark (Head Coach Rihana Houy)
AAU Program: SA Hoops Elite (Head Coach Javasse Kearney)

About Adams: Adams was a TGCA and TABC All-State Team selection in 2021, as well as First Team All-District, after helping lead her team to the regional quarterfinals. A two-time team captain, Adams has been a part of a Cougars team that has won three consecutive district championships. As a junior, Adams averaged 9.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

In addition to basketball, Adams has shined on the soccer field by earning First Team All-District accolades in each of the last two seasons. Adams is a three-time First Team All-Academic selection.

Lindsay Edmonds on Adams: "Hailey is a fierce competitor who honestly wins at everything she does. At 6'1, with her skill set, she is truly a match up nightmare for opposing teams and will be one of the most versatile players on our roster. Hailey is an excellent playmaker, always looking to put her teammates in position to be successful but can also really score the basketball at all three levels. Hailey's size and build will allow her to be a force on the boards on both ends of the court. Not only are we getting a tremendous player but we are getting someone with great leadership qualities, unbelievable work ethic, and toughness. I am beyond thrilled that Hailey has chosen to join our Rice Family."

Rihana Houy on Adams: "To say Hailey is special is an understatement. She is the most caring, humble, intelligent, multi-talented athlete I've ever had the pleasure of coaching. She is a program changer. Period."

Javasse Kearney on Adams: "Aside from any of her on court success and unselfishness, leadership and love for her teammates have always come first. She is a tremendous student-athlete that has always excelled in the classroom. To coach her was my joy. To know her is an honor."

Dan Olson on Adams (Ranked No. 138): "Adams brings a quality backcourt game, capable of knocking down jumpers at all three levels. A passer, distributor."

Hailey Adams on choosing Rice: "I chose Rice for the family atmosphere, team environment, academic and coaching staff. It felt like home."

Jazzy Owens-Barnett – 5'7" – Guard
Hometown: Plano, Texas
High School: Frisco Liberty (Head Coach Ross Reedy)
AAU Program: Drive Nation EYBL (Head Coach Theresa Nunn)

About Owens-Barnett: Owens-Barnett helped lead her Redhawks team to a state title in 2019-20 in a season in which she was named the District 9-5A MVP and earned First Team All-District honors. It was the first state title in Frisco ISD history with Owens-Barnett averaging 18 points per contest.

Owens-Barnett is a two-time 5A All-Tournament honoree, as well as a two-time TABC All-Region selection. ESPN.com ranks Owens-Barnett as the No. 26 point guard in the nation.

Lindsay Edmonds on Owens-Barnett: "Jazzy is the most athletic guard in the class with a scorer's mentality but is also great at creating for others. She plays with a lot of emotion and energy, which I love. Jazzy's ability to get downhill and finish at the rim with contact, as well also knock down the three allows her to score in bunches. She will be fun to watch in the open court and will really help us play a more uptempo style. Jazzy will not only be a great rebounder from the guard spot but also a lock down defender at multiple positions because of her athleticism. She is someone who is always in the gym working to get better. Jazzy is a winner with high character and an infectious personality and smile. I know the team and fans will gravitate to her and we are extremely happy that Jazzy is joining our family."

Ross Reedy on Owens-Barnett: "Few players over the last two years have been as decorated as her in the state of Texas. Jazzy is a rigorous worker, resilient fighter, inquisitive student, great teammate, fierce competitor, compassionate friend, loyal teammate, coachable player, courageous leader, humble victor, gracious runner-up, doting daughter, loving family member, and passionate experiencer of life. And it's why she will always walk arm-in-arm with success."

Theresa Nunn on Owens-Barnett: "She is definitely one of the most focused competitors I've seen. She approaches everything with a phenomenal work ethic, which is why she's in the great position she's in now. Jazzy will be successful at Rice because she will be the hardest working kid in the gym and because of her ability to overcome adversity, the Owls will be getting one tough nosed kid ready to contribute right away."

Dan Olson on Owens-Barnett (Ranked No. 112): "An explosive point guard, battle-tested on the highest level in both high school and travel competition. Owens-Barnett performed when the lights came on and delivered consistently."

Jazzy Owens-Barnett on choosing Rice: "Rice felt like home. The family atmosphere was everything to me and I fit right in and I knew this would be my forever home."

Kennedy Clifton – 6'0" – Guard/Wing
Hometown: Upper Marlboro State, Md.
High School: Bishop Ireton HS (Head Coach Kesha Walton)
AAU Program: Team Takeover EYBL (Head Coach Ron James)

About Clifton: Clifton has earned All-WCAC honors as both a freshman and junior and helped lead the Cardinals to a record of 65-25 over three seasons. The lefty combo guard has scored 630 points in her career and collected 234 rebounds.

Lindsay Edmonds on Clifton: "Kennedy is proof that because of the prestige of this university, we can recruit anywhere in the country. To have a young lady from Maryland who wants to come to Rice and believes in what we are building is huge for our program. I can't wait for everyone to meet Kennedy. She is a great basketball player but she also has such an amazing spirit. Kennedy is an athletic wing who can shoot it behind the arc but also can create and get to the rim. She has the size and frame to be a factor on the boards as well as on the defensive end. Kennedy's high school and AAU programs have won a lot of basketball games which is a huge asset to bring to our team. The great thing about Kennedy is that I truly feel like her best basketball is ahead of her. I am very excited to help her to grow and to continue to develop her game during her career."

Kesha Walton on Clifton: "Coaching Kennedy has truly been a blessing. We are all extremely proud of Kennedy and congratulate her and the Clifton Family on this great day. She will fit right in with the Rice culture."

Ron James on Clifton: "Kennedy Clifton is what we call a lifer at Team Takeover. She and her family were one of the most loyal and trusting families in the program. Kennedy has developed into a dynamic and versatile two-way player at the wing/guard position. She is one heck of ball player and a high character student athlete that values the spirit of team. The Rice WBB program and community will enjoy having Kennedy Clifton."

Dan Olson on Clifton (Ranked No. 215): "A smooth lefty wing with upside. A capable offensive threat that pulls the defense out to the arc. Her size and length enhance her ability to defend. A sleeper prospect for Rice."

Kennedy Clifton on choosing Rice: "I chose Rice because I wanted to attend a university that has a rich academic history and also in a major city. Rice is the perfect fit for me because it has my major and an awesome coaching staff."

Dominique Ennis – 5'9" – Guard
Hometown: Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, Ontario
High School: Kings Christian Collegiate (Head Coach Zelmir Stevanovic)
AAU Program: Canada Elite (Head Coach Zelmir Stevanovic)

About Ennis: Ennis is a four-year varsity starter for the Cavaliers. She has been a Team Canada U19 Camp Invite and was a Canletes All-Star game MVP. Ennis has participated in the BioSteel All-Canadian Futures Game and has earned TAS Athlete (Canada Basketball Targeted Athlete) honors. Her brother, Dylan, played at Rice in 2011-12 before transferring on to Villanova while another brother, Tyler, was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Lindsay Edmonds on Ennis: "From the first time I watched Dom play this past summer I instantly knew I wanted her to be a Rice Owl. Dom comes from a great basketball family and really understands the game. At 5'9, she has good size for a true point guard, is incredibly smooth with the ball in her hands, and really looks to push the tempo in transition. Dom has great court vision and knows how to set up her teammates, has nice touch with her float game and can flat out shoot the basketball from anywhere on the court. She not only immediately enhances our offensive game but she also looks to make plays on the defensive end as well. Dom is a tough and hard-nosed competitor that has the ability to take us to great heights during her Rice career. I cannot wait to be her coach."

Zelmir Stevanovic on Ennis: "She's the savviest player I have ever coached, regardless of the opponent or the stage she is on. She's calm, collected, and fully aware of her qualities and the ultimate competitor. She was the youngest team captain in our school history. Most of all she's a great girl, friend, and a teammate. I will miss her, that's for sure."

Dan Olson on Ennis: "A jet-quick floor-leader and a capable offensive game from a basketball-rich family. Ennis is a student of the game and well suited for uptempo."

Dominique Ennis on choosing Rice: "Rice gave me that home away from home feeling. The location is great and I also get to be near family as well, which is a bonus. The coaching staff and team were all super welcoming and I knew Rice was the one from my first phone call with Coach Edmonds."

Shelby Hayes – 6'2" – Forward/Center
Hometown: Cedar Park, Texas
High School: Cedar Park (Head Coach Donny Ott)
AAU Program: Cy Fair EYBL (Head Coach Earl Allen)

About Hayes: Hayes averages 15 points and eight rebounds per game for her career and is a two-time all-state selection. Hayes helped Cedar Park win the 2021 5A State Championship and averaged 15.8 points and 8.7 rebounds to earn 25-5A Offensive Most Valuable Player. She is a three-time All-District honoree, two-time All-Region and an All-Centex Player of the Year nominee.

Lindsay Edmonds on Hayes: "Shelby was the first player in this class to give us a verbal commitment and really ignite this process. Being from Texas, she and her family were able to come over and spend time with us in June and really fell in love with the vision of our program moving forward. Shelby is an extremely skilled post player, with a college-ready body which fits well with our four-out, one-in system. Not only is she a tremendous presence on the block with the ability to score the basketball in a variety of ways, but she can also stretch the defense and knock down the three as well. We also love the fact that she comes from very successful high school and travel team programs and knows how to win! Shelby is a fun-loving young lady that we know will be a terrific teammate and will also bring a positive attitude and great work ethic to our team next year. Her future is so bright and I couldn't be happier that Shelby is with us."

Donny Ott on Hayes: "We are beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to coach Shelby the past four years. She's been a pillar of excellence both on and off the court. She has left a legacy that will never be forgotten. Shelby will do amazing things for the Owl family and we can't wait to see her continued successes."

Earl Allen on Hayes: "Everything you ask this kid to do she does it with a smile on her face. Her foot work is the best I've seen in a long time. Shelby is a great student of the game, and more importantly she is a great teammate. She's an outstanding person who comes from an outstanding family. You are getting a kid who will do anything you ask her to do. She's just one of those players that gets it and I love her dearly."

Dan Olson on Hayes (Ranked No. 200): "The definition of a prototype blue-collar post player. Hayes brings a physical, nasty toughness to the paint. But, that's not all, Hayes has a skill set among the best in her class - footwork, technique and a competition level that brought her to play vs. the nation's best."

Shelby Hayes on choosing Rice: "The coaching staff is amazing and the academics are unmatched. This is a winning program. Why wouldn't I choose Rice?"

-RiceOwls.com-

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