DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University women's basketball team is excited to announce the addition of four signees to the 2024 recruiting class, which includes three in-state prep stars.
Regis, the defending RMAC regular season and tournament champions, are set to welcome Addison Branscum, Kylin Shipman, Taylin Serlen, and Natalie Thornton to campus at the start of the 2024-25 season. Head women's basketball coach Molly Marrin provided an inside look into the four new Rangers who will be wearing blue and gold next winter.
"I'm thrilled about the talent and skill of this class but even more excited about coaching high character student-athletes with these four," said Marrin. "I truly believe we signed four of the best players in the region and they have bright futures ahead of them."
ABOUT THE SIGNEES
Addison Branscum | 6'1 | Guard | Loveland, Colo.
Addison Branscum is a 6-foot-1 guard who is set to graduate from Mountain View High School at the end of this school year. According to Prep Girls Hoops, Branscum is the fifth-ranked shooting guard and is ranked #26 amongst all Colorado basketball players. She is also the reigning Loveland Reporter-Herald girl's basketball Player of the Year after averaging 20 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 3.1 APG and was also an All-State Honorable Mention after the 2022-2023 season. The Loveland-native is a two-sport athlete, competing in both basketball and track for the Mountain Lions. She is also a three-time recipient of the Lion Pride award, an academic award given to students with a 4.0 GPA. Branscum intends to major in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology.
Marrin on Branscum: "Addie is a very long and athletic wing that is an excellent shooter. At 6'1 she is a matchup nightmare and is a very skilled and smart player. As her league MVP last year, she will add a great deal to our perimeter scoring and defense."
Kylin Shipman | 5'8 | Guard | Laramie, Wyo.
Kylin Shipman is a 5-foot-8 guard and three-sport athlete who is set to graduate from Laramie High School at the end of the school year. Shipman is ranked within the top 10 for both points and assists in the 4A high school class in Wyoming. In addition, she has lettered in basketball for all four years and helped lead the Lady Plainsmen to their first winning season in 10 years during her sophomore season. The Laramie-native is also a three-sport athlete competing in basketball, tennis, and track. Three family members have played collegiate sports, her cousin played basketball at the University of Wyoming, her uncle also played basketball for University of Wyoming, and another one of her cousins played football at Weber State University. Shipman aspires to be a physical therapist and intends to major in Kinesiology and minor in Marketing.
Marrin on Shipman: "Kylin is a very talented and smart guard that is a tough matchup with her craftiness and creative moves with the ball in her hands. As one of the best players in the state of Wyoming she will add immediate depth to our back court and help us defensively as well."
Taylin Serlen | 6'2 | Forward | Westminster, Colo.
Taylin Serlen is a 6-foot-2 forward who is set to graduate from Standley Lake High School later this school year. Serlen is the second-ranked forward in the state as well as the #10 ranked overall girls basketball player. The Westminster-native is a two-sport athlete lettering in both soccer and basketball. After finishing her junior season, Serlen finished with 20.8 PPG and 11.5 RPG. She also earned selection to First Team All-Conference all four years, as well as being named an All-State Honorable Mention her sophomore and junior year. In addition, she was named Player of the Year for those same two years. During her high school career, her favorite memory was winning against a team they had never won against before. As a student at Regis, Serlen intends to major in Chemistry with a minor in Criminal Justice or Biology.
Marrin on Serlen: "Taylin is a strong and mobile post player that can score inside and also shoot the three well. As the #10 ranked player in Colorado, she is one of the highest-ranked signees to a Division II program. She brings great value especially as we graduate so much in our post group."
Natalie Thornton | 5'6 | Guard | Thornton, Colo.
Natalie Thornton is a 5-foot-6 guard who is set to graduate from Horizon High School. According to Prep Girls Hoops, Thornton is ranked #11 overall and the third-ranked guard in the state of Colorado. The Thornton-native is a two-sport athlete in basketball and track. As a member of Horizon's girls basketball team, she averaged 9.1 PPG in the 2022-2023 season. She was named to the Second Team All-Conference as well as named Offensive Player of the Year. Thornton intends to become a Pre-Nursing major when she attends Regis University next fall. Her best moment as basketball player at Horizon came when she made the varsity team her freshman year and eventually became a starter that same season.
Marrin on Thornton: "Natalie is a dynamic point guard with an extremely high motor. She brings tremendous energy and competitiveness every time she steps on the court. As the #11 ranked player in CO, she is a perfect culture fit for our program."
