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University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
Minnesota Adds Four on National Signing Day
11/12/2025 2:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Adit Kuol, Natalie Kussow, Tori Oehrlein, and Kylee Paben have signed to join the Minnesota women’s basketball program for the 2026-27 season
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota head coach Dawn Plitzuweit announced that Adit Kuol, Natalie Kussow, Tori Oehrlein, and Kylee Paben have signed to join the Minnesota women's basketball program for the 2026-27 season.
"Our Gopher Women's Basketball program is filled with incredible excitement as we are adding four fantastic young ladies, students, and elite competitors to our program," said Plitzuweit. "Adit Kuol, Natalie Kussow, Tori Oehrlein, and Kylee Paben are all great students, high energy individuals and have experienced tremendous success throughout their basketball careers. Winners win and these four have consistently competed for championships throughout their high school and AAU careers. We are really looking forward to them joining us on campus this summer!"
Adit Kuol | Forward | Kampala, Uganda | The King's Academy
Hailing from Kampala, Uganda, Adit Kuol has quickly established herself as a standout talent on the basketball court. In just one season at The King's Academy in Seymour, Tennessee, Kuol made an immediate impact, recording an impressive 539 rebounds during her junior campaign. Her presence in the paint and ability to control the boards played a key role in leading The King's Academy to the TSSAA Division II-A Final Four, where the team finished as state runner-up. Known for her strength, athleticism, and competitive drive, Kuol continues to develop as a force on both ends of the floor and brings tremendous potential to the Minnesota women's basketball program.
"I chose Minnesota because it felt like God's plan for me and the right place to be," said Kuol.
Coach Plitzuweit on Kuol
"Adit is a 6'3 post player who brings incredible size, length, energy, athleticism, and competitiveness to our program. Adit's story and her journey are quite amazing. She came to the states to develop her skills and to pursue her love for the game. The joy that Adit exudes and her resilience along this journey will continue to serve her well at the University of Minnesota. Adit possesses great speed which allows her to make plays on both ends of the court. She demonstrates this by sprinting the floor, rebounding, and blocking shots. Adit is also passionate about her excellence in the classroom as she possesses a 3.5 GPA; she is currently undecided about her academic path at Minnesota. We're thrilled to have Adit join our program and we're very excited to welcome her and the Kuol family to Gopher Nation."
Natalie Kussow | Guard | Hartland, Wisconsin | Arrowhead High School
The No. 1-ranked recruit in Wisconsin, Natalie Kussow, set Arrowhead's all-time girls' scoring record by December of her junior year. Kussow ended the 2024-25 season with 1,982 career points, averaging 26.3 points per game as a junior. Rated No. 23 nationally by 247Sports and No. 40 by ESPN HoopGurlz, Kussow was named the 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Wisconsin State Player of the Year as both a sophomore and junior. A two-time conference champion at Arrowhead High School, Kussow led the Warhawks to a Wisconsin state championship as a sophomore. The two-time state qualifier has earned all-state and first-team all-conference honors in each of her three seasons. As a sophomore, Kussow scored 47 points against Edgewood to set the single-game scoring record for Arrowhead. She also scored 59 points over two games to rank third all-time for most points in the Wisconsin Division I state tournament. Outside basketball, Kussow won a state title in the 4x200 relay and placed second in the 4x100 as a sophomore, helping the girls' track team capture the overall state championship. Kussow competes for the Wisconsin Lakers AAU squad and played alongside current Gopher, Makena Christian. This past summer, she guided her team to the 2025 UAA Championship game. Natalie was one of only 15 elite athletes selected to the prestigious Steph Curry Camp this past August.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because of Coach Plitzuweit, her staff and future teammates and the culture they're building at a top tier university," said Kussow.
Coach Plitzuweit on Kussow
"Natalie is a tremendous competitor in everything she does. That starts for her in the classroom, where she is a 3.9 GPA student who will be pursuing a degree in the Carlson School of Management. Natalie is also a fierce competitor on the basketball court where she caught our attention many years ago on the AAU circuit while playing at the highest level with the Wisconsin Lakers. This past summer, her AAU team competed for a National Championship on the Under Armour circuit. Natalie does the same in high school, where at Arrowhead High School, she has won a state championship. Natalie has a very unique ability to impact the game in every single facet from shooting it from deep, attacking off the bounce to score or kicking it to a teammate, posting up, defending, and rebounding. Her skill set and competitive nature will fit into our system incredibly well. We are elated that Natalie has chosen to become a Golden Gopher, and we're so excited to welcome her and the Kussow family to our family at Minnesota."
Tori Oehrlein | Guard | Crosby-Ironton, Minnesota | Crosby-Ironton High School
The all-time leading scorer at Crosby-Ironton, Oehrlein posted the second-highest single-season scoring total in Minnesota State High School League history in 2024 with 1,159 points, averaging 35.1 points per game. A four-sport athlete, she competes in basketball, tennis, softball, and track and field, earning four all-conference and three all-section honors in tennis, as well as two all-conference selections in softball. On the court, Oehrlein is ranked No. 2 in Minnesota, No. 38 nationally by 247Sports, and No. 58 by ESPN HoopGurlz. She is a six-time all-section and all-conference selection, a five-time all-area honoree, and a four-time all-state player. Oehrlein leads the state with 2,061 career rebounds and is on pace to surpass 5,000 career points and 1,000 career assists this season. She has guided Crosby-Ironton to three straight state tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2025. A standout in tennis as well, Oehrlein reached the state tournament her junior and senior years and has recorded over 100 career wins in just five seasons. Oehrlein competes for the Minnesota Suns AAU squad, one of the top programs in the P24/S40 circuit, the premier independent girls' basketball league. She led the Suns to the Elite 8 of the P24 Championship and has participated in the Wooten 2024 Fall Camp and 2025 Summer and Fall Camps.
"I chose Minnesota because I have a great relationship with the coaches," said Oehrlein. "I believe that they will help push me to the next level that I want to be at. The culture around Coach Plitzuweit is the kind of culture I want to be a part of. My family will be able to come support me and my team all season long. I'm looking forward to bringing success to Minnesota."
Coach Plitzuweit on Oehrlein
"Tori is someone who we have been watching compete for many years. It starts for her in the classroom where she is a great student interested in studying business and will arrive on campus having already earned her associate degree. We first saw Tori compete with the Minnesota Suns and what stood out immediately was her ability to impact the game from the moment she stepped on the court. Tori is a very prolific scorer but she also has great vision, awareness and finds teammates when they are open. In addition, Tori also uses her size, length and nose for the ball to rebound at an impressive level and to defend as well. Tori is also a great leader and has led Crosby-Ironton to three straight state tournament appearances. We are so happy to keep Tori home and to welcome the entire Oehrlein family to our Gopher family here at the University of Minnesota."
Kylee Paben | Forward | Omaha, Nebraska | Millard West High School
Millard West High School forward Kylee Paben has established herself as one of Nebraska's premier basketball talents and the No. 1 recruit in the state. Competing at the Class A level of high school basketball in Nebraska, Paben is a four-year varsity letterwinner who has consistently delivered standout performances. As a junior, she earned all-conference, all-city, and all-state honors after averaging 13.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. After winning back-to-back Nebraska state high school championships, Paben was named to the all-state tournament team in both her sophomore and junior seasons, highlighted by being recognized as the Most Outstanding Player at the 2025 Nebraska State Tournament. In AAU, she competes for the Nebraska Attack program, where she averaged 20.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game against elite national competition. Notably, Paben guided her team to the Elite 8 at the UAA Championships this past summer.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because it felt like a family, the coaching staff showed so much belief in me, and the program has a hard work and winning mindset," Paben said.
Coach Plitzuweit on Paben
"Kylee is a proven competitor and winner and that is documented initially with her 3.9 GPA. She is planning to pursue her passion for business and architecture here at the University of Minnesota. Kylee is also a tremendous competitor on the court where she has made her mark by winning back-to-back state championships at Millard West High School. What stands out about Kylee is her versatility on the court. She is a player who can score on the block and she is also a very proficient three point shooter. She is also a relentless defender who we have seen guard different positions as well. We are very excited Kylee has chosen to wear Maroon and Gold, and we are thrilled to welcome the Paben family to our Gopher family."
"Our Gopher Women's Basketball program is filled with incredible excitement as we are adding four fantastic young ladies, students, and elite competitors to our program," said Plitzuweit. "Adit Kuol, Natalie Kussow, Tori Oehrlein, and Kylee Paben are all great students, high energy individuals and have experienced tremendous success throughout their basketball careers. Winners win and these four have consistently competed for championships throughout their high school and AAU careers. We are really looking forward to them joining us on campus this summer!"
Adit Kuol | Forward | Kampala, Uganda | The King's Academy
Hailing from Kampala, Uganda, Adit Kuol has quickly established herself as a standout talent on the basketball court. In just one season at The King's Academy in Seymour, Tennessee, Kuol made an immediate impact, recording an impressive 539 rebounds during her junior campaign. Her presence in the paint and ability to control the boards played a key role in leading The King's Academy to the TSSAA Division II-A Final Four, where the team finished as state runner-up. Known for her strength, athleticism, and competitive drive, Kuol continues to develop as a force on both ends of the floor and brings tremendous potential to the Minnesota women's basketball program.
"I chose Minnesota because it felt like God's plan for me and the right place to be," said Kuol.
Coach Plitzuweit on Kuol
"Adit is a 6'3 post player who brings incredible size, length, energy, athleticism, and competitiveness to our program. Adit's story and her journey are quite amazing. She came to the states to develop her skills and to pursue her love for the game. The joy that Adit exudes and her resilience along this journey will continue to serve her well at the University of Minnesota. Adit possesses great speed which allows her to make plays on both ends of the court. She demonstrates this by sprinting the floor, rebounding, and blocking shots. Adit is also passionate about her excellence in the classroom as she possesses a 3.5 GPA; she is currently undecided about her academic path at Minnesota. We're thrilled to have Adit join our program and we're very excited to welcome her and the Kuol family to Gopher Nation."
Natalie Kussow | Guard | Hartland, Wisconsin | Arrowhead High School
The No. 1-ranked recruit in Wisconsin, Natalie Kussow, set Arrowhead's all-time girls' scoring record by December of her junior year. Kussow ended the 2024-25 season with 1,982 career points, averaging 26.3 points per game as a junior. Rated No. 23 nationally by 247Sports and No. 40 by ESPN HoopGurlz, Kussow was named the 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Wisconsin State Player of the Year as both a sophomore and junior. A two-time conference champion at Arrowhead High School, Kussow led the Warhawks to a Wisconsin state championship as a sophomore. The two-time state qualifier has earned all-state and first-team all-conference honors in each of her three seasons. As a sophomore, Kussow scored 47 points against Edgewood to set the single-game scoring record for Arrowhead. She also scored 59 points over two games to rank third all-time for most points in the Wisconsin Division I state tournament. Outside basketball, Kussow won a state title in the 4x200 relay and placed second in the 4x100 as a sophomore, helping the girls' track team capture the overall state championship. Kussow competes for the Wisconsin Lakers AAU squad and played alongside current Gopher, Makena Christian. This past summer, she guided her team to the 2025 UAA Championship game. Natalie was one of only 15 elite athletes selected to the prestigious Steph Curry Camp this past August.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because of Coach Plitzuweit, her staff and future teammates and the culture they're building at a top tier university," said Kussow.
Coach Plitzuweit on Kussow
"Natalie is a tremendous competitor in everything she does. That starts for her in the classroom, where she is a 3.9 GPA student who will be pursuing a degree in the Carlson School of Management. Natalie is also a fierce competitor on the basketball court where she caught our attention many years ago on the AAU circuit while playing at the highest level with the Wisconsin Lakers. This past summer, her AAU team competed for a National Championship on the Under Armour circuit. Natalie does the same in high school, where at Arrowhead High School, she has won a state championship. Natalie has a very unique ability to impact the game in every single facet from shooting it from deep, attacking off the bounce to score or kicking it to a teammate, posting up, defending, and rebounding. Her skill set and competitive nature will fit into our system incredibly well. We are elated that Natalie has chosen to become a Golden Gopher, and we're so excited to welcome her and the Kussow family to our family at Minnesota."
Tori Oehrlein | Guard | Crosby-Ironton, Minnesota | Crosby-Ironton High School
The all-time leading scorer at Crosby-Ironton, Oehrlein posted the second-highest single-season scoring total in Minnesota State High School League history in 2024 with 1,159 points, averaging 35.1 points per game. A four-sport athlete, she competes in basketball, tennis, softball, and track and field, earning four all-conference and three all-section honors in tennis, as well as two all-conference selections in softball. On the court, Oehrlein is ranked No. 2 in Minnesota, No. 38 nationally by 247Sports, and No. 58 by ESPN HoopGurlz. She is a six-time all-section and all-conference selection, a five-time all-area honoree, and a four-time all-state player. Oehrlein leads the state with 2,061 career rebounds and is on pace to surpass 5,000 career points and 1,000 career assists this season. She has guided Crosby-Ironton to three straight state tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2025. A standout in tennis as well, Oehrlein reached the state tournament her junior and senior years and has recorded over 100 career wins in just five seasons. Oehrlein competes for the Minnesota Suns AAU squad, one of the top programs in the P24/S40 circuit, the premier independent girls' basketball league. She led the Suns to the Elite 8 of the P24 Championship and has participated in the Wooten 2024 Fall Camp and 2025 Summer and Fall Camps.
"I chose Minnesota because I have a great relationship with the coaches," said Oehrlein. "I believe that they will help push me to the next level that I want to be at. The culture around Coach Plitzuweit is the kind of culture I want to be a part of. My family will be able to come support me and my team all season long. I'm looking forward to bringing success to Minnesota."
Coach Plitzuweit on Oehrlein
"Tori is someone who we have been watching compete for many years. It starts for her in the classroom where she is a great student interested in studying business and will arrive on campus having already earned her associate degree. We first saw Tori compete with the Minnesota Suns and what stood out immediately was her ability to impact the game from the moment she stepped on the court. Tori is a very prolific scorer but she also has great vision, awareness and finds teammates when they are open. In addition, Tori also uses her size, length and nose for the ball to rebound at an impressive level and to defend as well. Tori is also a great leader and has led Crosby-Ironton to three straight state tournament appearances. We are so happy to keep Tori home and to welcome the entire Oehrlein family to our Gopher family here at the University of Minnesota."
Kylee Paben | Forward | Omaha, Nebraska | Millard West High School
Millard West High School forward Kylee Paben has established herself as one of Nebraska's premier basketball talents and the No. 1 recruit in the state. Competing at the Class A level of high school basketball in Nebraska, Paben is a four-year varsity letterwinner who has consistently delivered standout performances. As a junior, she earned all-conference, all-city, and all-state honors after averaging 13.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. After winning back-to-back Nebraska state high school championships, Paben was named to the all-state tournament team in both her sophomore and junior seasons, highlighted by being recognized as the Most Outstanding Player at the 2025 Nebraska State Tournament. In AAU, she competes for the Nebraska Attack program, where she averaged 20.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game against elite national competition. Notably, Paben guided her team to the Elite 8 at the UAA Championships this past summer.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because it felt like a family, the coaching staff showed so much belief in me, and the program has a hard work and winning mindset," Paben said.
Coach Plitzuweit on Paben
"Kylee is a proven competitor and winner and that is documented initially with her 3.9 GPA. She is planning to pursue her passion for business and architecture here at the University of Minnesota. Kylee is also a tremendous competitor on the court where she has made her mark by winning back-to-back state championships at Millard West High School. What stands out about Kylee is her versatility on the court. She is a player who can score on the block and she is also a very proficient three point shooter. She is also a relentless defender who we have seen guard different positions as well. We are very excited Kylee has chosen to wear Maroon and Gold, and we are thrilled to welcome the Paben family to our Gopher family."
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