TCU women’s basketball announced Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period, that four players signed their National Letters of Intent to play basketball at TCU beginning in 2018.

The group of four includes Alex Crain, Yo’Myris Morris, Becky Obinma and Ryann Payne.

“This is a group of young women that all chose TCU for the right reasons,” head coach Raegan Pebley said. “They all possess a growth mindset, are eager to develop and compete and understand what it means to be a part of a great institution and community like TCU. As people, they all have impressive character.”

Pebley added that each of these signees have learned from the best and she cannot wait to see what they bring to the table.

“From their high school coaches, club coaches and skill trainers, they’ve chosen to surround themselves with people who test their limits, believe in skill development and require members of their programs to be great teammates,” Pebley said. “Another thing they have in common is their athleticism: it was important to us that we not only added length and size, but speed as well.”

Hailing from McKinney, Texas, Crain was a member of the Dallas Thunder, a home-schooled team in the area. The 5-foot-9 guard was named the National Offensive Player of the Year for all juniors last season and averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals per game. Pebley said Crain is cerebral, tough and consistent.

“I chose TCU because I wanted to be in an environment that would challenge me mentally and physically, and nurture me spiritually,” Crain said. “I wanted to represent a university with a program that is dedicated to getting better daily and teaching its players the right principles to succeed on and off the court.”

Morris, native of North Little Rock, Ark., is rated as a four-star power forward and the No. 88 overall player in the nation according to ESPNW Hoopgurlz. The No. 2 ranked player in the state of Arkansas and member of the USA Today All-Arkansas team averaged 14.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game during her junior year.

“I was raised on three major priorities in life,” Morris said. “One, my faith and the love that Christ has shown me. Two, the importance of my family and the support they have shown me throughout my life. Three, receiving the best education anyone can get. These priorities are what I find in TCU.”

Pebley said she admired Morris’ passion.

“Every once in a while you meet someone you can tell has a conviction for achieving their dreams that is unbreakable,” Pebley said. “She hasn’t relied solely on her athletic ability and size. She has worked hard to develop them as well. Her future is bright and we are thrilled to have her.”

The No. 18 ranked center in the nation, Obinma travels to Fort Worth from Menifee, Calif. After averaging 10.8 points per game in her junior year, Obinma was named the CIF 2AA Player of the Year and was one of the inagural recipients of the CIF Division II John Wooden Award.

“TCU is the perfect fit for me because it will support me in all facets of all my college experience,” Obinma said. “I love that TCU plays at the highest level of competition, and will help me reach my goals both in the classroom and on the court.”

Obinma was also a star track athlete in high school, running a 11.95 second 100-yard dash and a 24.92 second 200-yard dash.

“Becky is one of those special athletes that can leave a person watching her speechless,” Pebley said. “She is beginning to understand just how unique she is and the potential she possess. We can’t wait to start working with her and her development. Fans are going to love Becky.”

The final signee in the class of 2018 hails from Valencia, Calif. Payne is a 4-star guard and was ranked as the No. 11 player in the state of California. Payne averaged 15.1 points, 4.1 assists and 2.7 steals per game as a junior last season.

“Ryann has great leadership skills and a contagious charisma to how she competes,” Pebley said. “Her athleticism, combined with her eagerness to serve her teammates, is something that we value. Ryann has the ability to make others around her better and raise their level.”

All four of these signees will begin their first campaign at TCU during the 2018-19 basketball season.