DEKALB – Northern Illinois University Head Women's Basketball Coach Lisa Carlsen announced on Wednesday that Mikayla Brandon (Bourbonnais, Ill.), Ninni Salmi (Kauhajoki, Finland/San Francisco), and Vinisha Sherrod (Bourbonnais, Ill./DePaul) will join the Huskies for the 2018-19 season.
 
"These three are great additions to our program," said Carlsen, who is entering her fourth season as head coach. "All of them bring a unique dynamic to what I believe is already a special group here at NIU."
 
Brandon comes to NIU from Bradley-Bourbonnais High School, where she was a four-year varsity starter and two-time AP and IBCA All-State Selection. A six-foot-one forward, Brandon led the Boilermakers to two Southwest Suburban Conference Red Division championships and three IHSA Regional titles. She earned Southwest Suburban Conference Red Division all-conference honors twice, and was recently named the division Player of the Year after averaging 20.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in her senior year. Brandon recorded over 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds at Bradley-Bourbonnais, as the Boilermakers amassed a record of 97-22 in her four years there.
 
"Mikayla is a swing player who can stretch a defense and gives us additional length that we need," Carlsen said of Brandon. "She can score in a multitude of ways and she rebounds the basketball very well. Her versatility will help us immediately and she knows how to win."
 
Salmi is transferring to NIU after three seasons at the University of San Francisco. After redshirting her freshman year, Salmi played in 40 games over the next two seasons. A six-foot-two guard, she averaged 3.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in 27 games this past season. On Nov. 29, Salmi made five three-pointers against #16 Stanford for a season-high 15 points. Salmi will be eligible to play this upcoming season and has two years of eligibility remaining.
 
"We're excited to add another player with international playing experience," said Carlsen about Salmi. "Her six-foot-three wingspan will help us defend the rim and her ability to shoot the three-pointer will help us space the floor. Ninni's game will fit nicely into what we do."
 
Sherrod is also a transfer, coming to NIU from DePaul University. As a freshman for the Blue Demons, Sherrod appeared in 20 games off the bench averaging just over four minutes per game. She scored a season-high six points against Xavier on Jan. 12. The five-foot-nine guard was a teammate of Brandon's at Bradley-Bourbonnais High School, where she led the Boilermakers to the IHSA Class 4A sectional semifinals in 2017. She scored over 1,000 career points at Bradley-Bourbonnais and was an All-Conference and All-Area selection.
 
"Vinisha is a dynamic athlete who can create her own shot," said Carlsen. "She puts pressure on the defense in a variety of ways. Vinisha always plays with an aggressive mentality and that'll serve her well in our system. Her speed and athleticism will allow her to excel in our open court offense."
 
These three join Christina Britter (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap), who signed during the early signing period, as newcomers for the upcoming 2018-19 season.
 
"We are all really excited to get everyone here and get going," Carlsen said. "With Christina Britter, this rounds out a very competitive roster in preparation for the upcoming season."
 
The Huskies are coming off a 15-15 season in 2018 and return 2018 All-Mid American First Team selection Courtney Woods, who led the MAC in scoring last season with 22.1 points per game.
 
--NIU--