LOS ANGELES - With the LMU women's basketball 2016-17 season set to tip-off Friday at Washington State, head coach Charity Elliott is set to welcome Jasmine Jones and Chelsey Gipson as part of the class of 2021.

"These two additions to the LMU Basketball family are another indication of the state of our program," remarked Elliott. "Both of these young ladies are highly regarded and were highly recruited. They chose LMU because they realized the impact they could have and the direction that our program is headed. With these two quality athletes and more importantly, high character people, we have solidified the level of student athletes that we are pursuing and drawing to our program."

Ranked No. 50 by ESPN Hoopgurlz, Jones competed at West Torrance her first two high school seasons, garnering CIF Player of the Year honors as a sophomore to go with a spot on the Pioneer League first team, and lead West Torrance to the 2013-14 Division 2A and 2014-15 Division 1A Championships. After transferring to Long Beach Poly as a junior, the 5-11 forward piled on the accolades as she was named the Press Telegram Dream Player of the Year, Moore League MVP, Long Beach Poly MVP, CIF first team, CIF All-State open team and was selected to the LA Times All-Star team.

"Jasmine Jones is one of the hardest working players I've ever seen," stated Elliott. "She does not take any possessions off and her positive energy is infectious! She can guard any position on the floor and is relentless in the paint and on the boards. She will undoubtedly have an incredible career here as an LMU Lion and we can't wait to get her on campus!"

Gipson is the only high school girls basketball player in California that has won three CIF Open Division I championships and is ranked No. 53 by ESPN Hoopgurlz. A 5-7 point guard, Gipson was key in leading Windward to an upset over then-No. 1 Mater Dei in the inaugural CIF Southern Section Division I Open Championship as a freshman. The Los Angeles native transferred to Palisades the following season, where she guided the team to back-to-back CIF LA City Division I Open Championships. A two-time CalHiSports first team selection, Gibson was also named to the 2016 LA Times All-Star team.

"We've been watching Chelsey Gipson for a long time and are ecstatic that she will soon be in an LMU jersey," stated. "She is one of the best shooters in the country but can also attack the basket and defend with the best of them. She is competitive, extremely skilled and brings a calm presence to the floor and is ready to make an immediate impact next year."

"The future looks very bright with the addition of Jasmine and Chelsey into the fold," said Elliott. "We are grateful for their trust and commitment to build a championship level program right here on the bluff."