DAYTON — Wright State women's basketball head coach Kari Hoffman has announced the addition of four newcomers for the upcoming 2022-23 season. 

Bryce Nixon will join the Raiders as a graduate transfer, while Cara VanKempen has three years of collegiate basketball under her belt. Taylor Johnson-Matthews and Catalina Ion will enter next season as freshmen. 


Bryce Nixon
Phoenix, AZ
Arcadia HS (Arizona/Santa Clara)
5-10 | Guard

Highlights
• Appeared in 55 games over the last two seasons for the Santa Clara women's basketball team
• Averaged 5.3 points, 2.5 assists, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 31 games during the 2021-22 season
• Scored a career-high 14 points against Holy Names (12/20/21)
• Dished out a career-best seven assists on two occasions last season
• Spent freshman and sophomore seasons at Arizona
• Played in 33 games during the 2018-19 season, the third-most by any freshman in school history
• Four-star recruit out of Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona
• Two-time All-State selection as well as Offensive Player of the Year in 2018
• Averaged 20 points and five assists per game over her final three seasons
• Finished her high school career as one of three Arizona high school players, since 1973, with 2,000-plus points and 500-plus assists

Hoffman on Nixon
"Bryce is a great addition to our Raider family. She brings a lot to the table as a graduate transfer with four years of college basketball under her belt. She is a high IQ player with a knack for shooting the ball!"


Cara VanKempen
Coopersville, MI
Coopersville HS (Valparaiso)
6-1 | Guard/Forward

Highlights
• Appeared in 75 games over three seasons for the Valparaiso women's basketball team
• Averaged 2.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in 30 games, including 23 starts, during the 2021-22 season
• Averaged 3.0 points and 1.3 rebounds in 25 games as a sophomore
• Had career-high marks in points (12), 3-pointers (4), and blocks (2) at Wisconsin (12/20/20)
• Grabbed a career-high six rebounds at Illinois (12/2/20)
• Dished out a career-best four assists against Drake (1/9/22)
• Two-time Honorable Mention All-State selection at Coopersville High School
• Three-time All-Conference and two-time All-Area performer

Hoffman on VanKempen
"We are thrilled to add Cara to our team!  She brings a great skill set along with her length at the wing spot! Her college experience will go a long way in helping us continue to build our culture."


Taylor Johnson-Matthews
Cleveland, OH
Brush HS
6-0 | Guard

Highlights
• Logged 812 career points as a four-year letterwinner at Brush High School in Cleveland, Ohio
• Helped team to a 16-6 record and a trip to the district semifinals as a senior
• Averaged 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per game as a senior
• Registered four double-doubles during the 2021-22 season
• Second Team All-State selection as a senior
• Two-time All-District Team honoree
• Earned 2022 News-Herald Player of the Year 
• MVP of the 2022 North-South Girls Game

Hoffman on Johnson-Matthews
"Taylor is a tough and energetic wing out of Brush High School. She has a bright future, and we cannot wait to get her on campus this summer and fall!"


Catalina Ion
Bucharest, Romania
IMG Academy
6-1 | Forward

Highlights
• Spent the last two seasons at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
• Member of the Romanian National Team
• Averaged 7.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in five games at the FIBA U18 Women's European Challenger tournament 
• Led team in scoring and rebounding from 2017-19
• Three-time Romanian National Championship All-Tournament Team selection

Hoffman on Ion
"Catalina rounds out our freshman class and will be a great addition to the program! She is competitive and will add great size at the forward spot. She is ready for the college level, and we are excited for her to be a part of our Raider Family."