Oregon State women’s basketball added two of the top talents in the Beaver State to its 2023-24 roster with the signings of Donovyn Hunter and Kennedie Shuler.
“This is an exciting day for our basketball program and for Beaver Nation as we welcome Donovyn and Kennedie to Oregon State and our basketball family,” Rueck said. “They bring a high level of skill, competitiveness, competence both offensively and defensively to our program. They are dynamic perimeter players who each have the ability to impact the game in all phases. They have been very well coached, understand the game, and have the skillsets to match their IQ. In addition to their basketball ability, they are amazing people and teammates who will enhance our community and the culture of our program. I am excited to welcome these two and their families to ours. They are perfect fits and will have outstanding careers at Oregon State.”
Donovyn Hunter
Guard
6-foot
Medford, Ore.
South Medford High School
Cal Stars
Donovyn Hunter is a four-star guard according to ESPN and a member of the HoopGurlz Top 100, coming in at No. 82 on the list of the top members of the class of 2023. She is the No. 25 player in the nation by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. Hunter was named a first-team 6A All-State player after her junior season and was the Southwest Conference Player of the Year.
According to Prospect Nation’s Chris Hansen, Hunter: “has a college-ready frame now and in terms of overall athleticism, sprinting step for step with some of the fastest kids in the region. She’s a power wing with a smooth way about her, even in traffic. She scored with ease as a slasher and shot the ball out to the 3-point arc.”
As a junior, Hunter averaged 24 points, six rebounds, six steals and four assists a game. She led South Medford to the 6A State Tournament. Over the summer, Hunter led the Nike EYBL Session 2 and Nike Nationals with 6.0 and 6.6 assists per game, respectively, while playing with Cal Stars.
“I chose Oregon State because it felt like a second home away from home which was the most important to me,” Hunter said. “I want to be surrounded by a staff and team that will consistently push me to be my best and Coach Rueck created the best atmosphere for that.”
Kennedie Shuler
Guard
5-foot-10
Gresham, Ore.
Barlow High School
Northwest Select
Kennedie Shuler (Gresham, Ore.) is ranked as the No. 115 player in the nation by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. She began making waves on the court as a junior when she averaged 17.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.7 steals for Barlow High School. Shuler was a second-team 6A All-State selection and earned Mt. Hood Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors.
According to Collegiate Girls Basketball Report’s Dan Olson, Shuler is a: “poised lead-guard with combo game handles, reads pressure, executes; up-tempo distributor with court awareness; drains jumpers at the arc; midrange game creator, rises over the defense.”
Shuler missed almost all of her sophomore season with an injury before bouncing back with the standout junior season. She led her team to the state championship game while averaging 12 points and 2.3 assists per game in the final three rounds of the state tournament. The dual-sport star earned Mt. Hood Conference Player of the Year honors on the pitch this fall after scoring 20 goals and leading Barlow to the state playoffs.
“I picked Oregon State because Coach Rueck and the rest of the coaching staff has created a special culture that will push me to be a better student, athlete, and leader,” Shuler said. “The people and support system surrounding women’s basketball is truly special and I’m excited to be a part of a new family away from home. Being a hometown kid is special as well. Go Beavs! ”
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