Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus San Diego State on February 4, 2026 , Win , 57, to, 44
W Basketball
vs San Diego State
W 57-44
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Miller signs five for 2021-22
11/11/2020 12:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
GCU adds 3 Missourians, 1 Kansan, 1 Arizonan
Grand Canyon women's basketball announced five signees who will join the Lopes for the 2021-22 season. The recruiting class includes high school talents Kiyley Flowers, Kassidy Dixon, McKenna Simons, Naudia Evans and Ja'Mya Powell-Smith (pictured left to right).
"Given the tough circumstances that surrounded this recruiting year, I couldn't be more proud of our staff as they fully committed to recruiting phenomenal basketball players, student-athletes who excel in the classroom and high-character individuals who will enhance the culture of our program," GCU head coach Molly Miller said. "The new faces you will see in a GCU uniform next year are winners and compete with energy and enthusiasm that is contagious.
"I would like to officially welcome them to the GCU family. The future is looking very bright. Lopes Up!"
KIYLEY FLOWERS | PG | Barstow HS | Independence, Mo.
MILLER SAID: "Kiyley is a high-level point guard with a great feel for the game. Her basketball IQ and skill set will make an immediate impact within our program. She is a tough kid who loves to compete and makes everyone around her better. Her Division I recruitment started very early in her young high school career, so we are thrilled that she will be continuing her basketball career as a Lope."
THE PLAYER: The Missouri native comes to GCU with many high school accolades. Flowers earned all-conference and all-district honors as a freshman and sophomore and has been a starter for the Knights every year.
WHY GCU?: "I chose GCU because, even through a virtual tour, the campus was very beautiful. I enjoy and love talking to the coaches. They make it very welcoming so I know that I will be comfortable going there even with the distance from home. I just feel like it's the place that's going to help me the most to accomplish my future goals."
KASSIDY DIXON | G/F | Millennium HS | Goodyear, Ariz.
MILLER SAID: "Kassidy is a local standout who I know Lope fans are going to love to cheer for in the coming years. She is one of the most athletic players in the state of Arizona and that raw athleticism is going to translate nicely to our system. She is a workhorse that can outrun, outjump, and outlast almost anyone she goes up against. She is a champion and knows how to win, so we will definitely be cheering Kassidy on as she competes for her third state title this year as a senior."
THE PLAYER: Dixon is a two-time state champion at local Millennium High School in Goodyear, Arizona. She is ranked 31st in The Republic's Arizona high school girls basketball 2020-21 Elite 50 girls basketball preseason players rankings. Dixon averaged 7.3 points per game last season and shot a team high 56% from the field and 45% from 3.
WHY GCU?: Dixon told AZCentral, "I chose GCU because of the family aspect. It's all bigger than basketball to me, and I believe that GCU won't just help me with my sport, but will also help me become a good person."
McKENNA SIMONS | G | Blue Valley North HS | Overland Park, Kan.
MILLER SAID: "McKenna is an athlete who will be a multi-dimensional player for us. The number of ways we can use her in the system and plug her in just about anywhere, both offensively and defensively, are endless. She is very fundamental and can do a little bit of everything out on the court. I think her best basketball is ahead of her, which is why when you combine her coachability with how well she fits the system, she is sure to have success the next four years at GCU."
THE PLAYER: Simons is ranked No. 9 in the state of Kansas for Prep Hoops girls basketball. As a multi-sport athlete, Simons earned a spot on the All-Eastern Kansas League third team for basketball and was a two-time All-Eastern Kansas League honorable mention for volleyball. She is also a track and field athlete for the Mustangs.
WHY GCU?: "I chose GCU because I was in consistent contact with the entire coaching staff and, after the first Zoom call, I knew that was where I was meant to be."
NAUDIA EVANS | G | Waynesville HS | Waynesville, Mo.
MILLER SAID: "Naudia has the ability to score at all three levels, which is a huge weapon when making the jump from high school to college. She is a fearless playmaker and her shot is one of the smoothest I've seen. Her range and accuracy from multiple spots on the floor will complement our offense and open up a lot of opportunities for those on the floor around her. She is the type of player who you want to start guarding at the scorer's table before she checks in."
THE PLAYER: The Missouri native was a four-year starter for the Tigers and a three-time captain. Evans' accolades include all-district and all-conference honors three times, an all-state honor and was named to the all-defensive team twice.
WHY GCU?: "The Coaches have really good energy and have good plans. The school also has really nice facilities."
JA'MYA POWELL-SMITH | PG | North Kansas City HS | Kansas City, Mo.
MILLER SAID: "Ja'Mya is a high-motor, defensive-minded player who fits the system perfectly. She really gets after it on defense and appreciates that side of the ball, which obviously I love. She comes from a highly successful high school program with a strong winning tradition. She leads with her work ethic and passion for the game and I think Lope fans will really enjoy and appreciate the intensity and competitiveness in which she plays."
THE PLAYER: Powell-Smith, a four-year varsity starter and two-time captain, has been named to the all-conference and all-district first teams for the first three years of her prep career. She also was named to the all-state first team twice. She averaged 21.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 4.0 steals.
WHY GCU?: "The campus is beautiful. The coaches already make it feel like home and I love their energy."
"Given the tough circumstances that surrounded this recruiting year, I couldn't be more proud of our staff as they fully committed to recruiting phenomenal basketball players, student-athletes who excel in the classroom and high-character individuals who will enhance the culture of our program," GCU head coach Molly Miller said. "The new faces you will see in a GCU uniform next year are winners and compete with energy and enthusiasm that is contagious.
"I would like to officially welcome them to the GCU family. The future is looking very bright. Lopes Up!"
KIYLEY FLOWERS | PG | Barstow HS | Independence, Mo.
MILLER SAID: "Kiyley is a high-level point guard with a great feel for the game. Her basketball IQ and skill set will make an immediate impact within our program. She is a tough kid who loves to compete and makes everyone around her better. Her Division I recruitment started very early in her young high school career, so we are thrilled that she will be continuing her basketball career as a Lope."
THE PLAYER: The Missouri native comes to GCU with many high school accolades. Flowers earned all-conference and all-district honors as a freshman and sophomore and has been a starter for the Knights every year.
WHY GCU?: "I chose GCU because, even through a virtual tour, the campus was very beautiful. I enjoy and love talking to the coaches. They make it very welcoming so I know that I will be comfortable going there even with the distance from home. I just feel like it's the place that's going to help me the most to accomplish my future goals."
Officially official. Welcome to GCU @kiyley1 🤘#LopesUp pic.twitter.com/EHM4vheAwl
— GCU Women's Basketball (@GCU_WBB) November 11, 2020
KASSIDY DIXON | G/F | Millennium HS | Goodyear, Ariz.
MILLER SAID: "Kassidy is a local standout who I know Lope fans are going to love to cheer for in the coming years. She is one of the most athletic players in the state of Arizona and that raw athleticism is going to translate nicely to our system. She is a workhorse that can outrun, outjump, and outlast almost anyone she goes up against. She is a champion and knows how to win, so we will definitely be cheering Kassidy on as she competes for her third state title this year as a senior."
THE PLAYER: Dixon is a two-time state champion at local Millennium High School in Goodyear, Arizona. She is ranked 31st in The Republic's Arizona high school girls basketball 2020-21 Elite 50 girls basketball preseason players rankings. Dixon averaged 7.3 points per game last season and shot a team high 56% from the field and 45% from 3.
WHY GCU?: Dixon told AZCentral, "I chose GCU because of the family aspect. It's all bigger than basketball to me, and I believe that GCU won't just help me with my sport, but will also help me become a good person."
Staying home! 🏠 Help us welcome @kassidymdixon23 to the GCU family 🤘#LopesUp pic.twitter.com/qYqiWUkJye
— GCU Women's Basketball (@GCU_WBB) November 11, 2020
McKENNA SIMONS | G | Blue Valley North HS | Overland Park, Kan.
MILLER SAID: "McKenna is an athlete who will be a multi-dimensional player for us. The number of ways we can use her in the system and plug her in just about anywhere, both offensively and defensively, are endless. She is very fundamental and can do a little bit of everything out on the court. I think her best basketball is ahead of her, which is why when you combine her coachability with how well she fits the system, she is sure to have success the next four years at GCU."
THE PLAYER: Simons is ranked No. 9 in the state of Kansas for Prep Hoops girls basketball. As a multi-sport athlete, Simons earned a spot on the All-Eastern Kansas League third team for basketball and was a two-time All-Eastern Kansas League honorable mention for volleyball. She is also a track and field athlete for the Mustangs.
WHY GCU?: "I chose GCU because I was in consistent contact with the entire coaching staff and, after the first Zoom call, I knew that was where I was meant to be."
And our final signee is @McKenna32593576 👏 Happy to have you as a Lope! 🤘#LopesUp pic.twitter.com/I5TJ4ysyzV
— GCU Women's Basketball (@GCU_WBB) November 11, 2020
NAUDIA EVANS | G | Waynesville HS | Waynesville, Mo.
MILLER SAID: "Naudia has the ability to score at all three levels, which is a huge weapon when making the jump from high school to college. She is a fearless playmaker and her shot is one of the smoothest I've seen. Her range and accuracy from multiple spots on the floor will complement our offense and open up a lot of opportunities for those on the floor around her. She is the type of player who you want to start guarding at the scorer's table before she checks in."
THE PLAYER: The Missouri native was a four-year starter for the Tigers and a three-time captain. Evans' accolades include all-district and all-conference honors three times, an all-state honor and was named to the all-defensive team twice.
WHY GCU?: "The Coaches have really good energy and have good plans. The school also has really nice facilities."
.@NaudiaEvans is officially a Lope! 🤘#LopesUp pic.twitter.com/jpV6DJsOx8
— GCU Women's Basketball (@GCU_WBB) November 11, 2020
JA'MYA POWELL-SMITH | PG | North Kansas City HS | Kansas City, Mo.
MILLER SAID: "Ja'Mya is a high-motor, defensive-minded player who fits the system perfectly. She really gets after it on defense and appreciates that side of the ball, which obviously I love. She comes from a highly successful high school program with a strong winning tradition. She leads with her work ethic and passion for the game and I think Lope fans will really enjoy and appreciate the intensity and competitiveness in which she plays."
THE PLAYER: Powell-Smith, a four-year varsity starter and two-time captain, has been named to the all-conference and all-district first teams for the first three years of her prep career. She also was named to the all-state first team twice. She averaged 21.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 4.0 steals.
WHY GCU?: "The campus is beautiful. The coaches already make it feel like home and I love their energy."
First NLI is in! Happy to welcome @JAMYA11111 to GCU 🤘#LopesUp pic.twitter.com/QWA0evrVa2
— GCU Women's Basketball (@GCU_WBB) November 11, 2020
GCU Women's Basketball MW Quarterfinal vs. Colorado State - Highlights
Monday, March 09
GCU Women's Basketball MW First Round vs. Utah State - Highlights
Monday, March 09
GCU Women's Basketball vs. San José State - Highlights
Sunday, March 01
GCU Women's Basketball at Air Force - Highlights
Friday, February 13