The Penn State Women’s basketball program re-entered the national picture this past season and is looking to capitalize on its momentum. The Lady Lions posted a 22-13 record, including a 9-9 record in Big 10 play, and were ranked No. 25 at one point during the season.
The 22 wins for Penn State were the program’s most since winning 24 games in the 2013-14 campaign and was just the second time the Lady Lions reached the 20-win plateau in the last decade. It also marked the fourth consecutive season that the Lions improved their win total under Carolyn Kieger, who notched seven victories in year one of her tenure.
Now, Penn State is in contention for four-star 2025 prospect Kamryn Kitchen. Kitchen, from Charlotte (NC), recently released her top six schools: PSU, Illinois, Marquette, Louisville, Virginia, and Virginia Tech.
Penn State Surprisingly Makes Top 6 List For Elite Prospect
The Lady Lions lost their top six players to graduation or transfer this past season. But Krieger has recently brought in grad transfer Gabby Elliot, juco transfer Vitoria Santana, and fifth-year senior Tamera Johnson. Those three join Gracie Merkel as transfers who have landed at State College.
Krieger also signed five freshmen to her 2024 recruiting class last fall.
Who is Kamryn Kitchen?
Kitchen, a 5-9 guard, has steadily increased recruitment since receiving her first offer from Winthrop in July 2021. She plays for Team Curry U17 in AAU ball and holds over 30 scholarship offers. She received a recruiting grade of 91 from ESPN.
Kitchen is a good scorer, but shooting the basketball is what she does best. Kitchen possesses a quick release and can create for herself due to impeccable footwork. She has improved in her three prep seasons at Independence (Charlotte) and is also a capable rebounder, defender, and passer. She also
Kitchen averaged 16.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.4 steals this past season. Kitchen also compiled the best shooting season of her career at .540/.420/.840 with 75 triples (2.7 per game). She scored in double-figures in 24 of 27 games, topping the 20-point mark on nine occasions.
Looking At The 6 Schools Interested In Kitchen
Penn State Nittany Lady Lions
PSU was a regular participant in the NCAA Tournament until the mid-2000s, finishing as national-runners up in 2000 and reaching the Elite Eight in 2004. However, the Lady Lions have made only four NCAA appearances since 2006.
Penn State was the first of the six finalists (August 2022) to offer Kitchen. Kitchen unofficially visited State College in March.
“Landing Kitchen would be a significant recruiting win for Carolyn Kieger, “according to Matt Thomas of Basic Blues Nation.
Illinois Fighting Illini
As Kieger has done at Penn State, Illinois coach Shauna Green has resurrected the women’s program at Illinois. The Illini won 22 games, reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023, in 2022-23, and then won 19 contests this past season. Green is 41-25 overall and 21-19 in the Big Ten in her two seasons.
Illinois offered Kitchen in May 2023. Here is what Kitchen told Kedric Perkins of IlliniGuys:
“I really like the Illinois staff and how they take care of their players on and off the court. I love their style of play. Yes, they have a chance.”
Marquette Golden Eagles
Over the last eight years, Marquette has been one of the most consistent teams in the Big East, winning at least 19 games and making the NCAA Tournament six times.
Kitchen received an offer from the Golden Eagles in May 2023, and they re-issued it after Cara Consuegra took over the program in April. Consuegra had been recruiting Kitchen since 2021 while she was at Charlotte.
Louisville Cardinals
Louisville has been a national power since coach Jeff Walz took over the program in 2007-08. The Cardinals have compiled at least 20 wins in each of the last 14 campaigns. This past season, they went 24-10 and 12-6 in the ACC, though they were upset by Middle Tennessee in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Louisville offered Kitchen in May 2023.
Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia has a .500 record in the last two seasons under Amaka Aququa-Hamilton’s direction. The Cavaliers went 30-73 in four seasons under former WNBA star Tina Thompson.
Virginia offered Kitchen in May 2023.
Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech has won 23+ games in three straight seasons and ranked in the top 18 of the nation in each campaign. The Hokies, who have appeared in four straight NCAA Tournaments, reached the Final Four in 2023.
Virginia Tech just offered in April, but as mentioned above, coach Megan Duffy was “in on” Kitchen when she was at Marquette.
