PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's head women's basketball coach, Mike McLaughlin, has announced his recruiting class for the upcoming 2020-21 season. Four young women—Lauren Charlton, Jordan Obi, Kemari Reynolds and Michaela Stanfield—will join the Quakers' women's basketball roster this season as freshmen.
 
"We are really proud of this class," said McLaughlin, who is the program's all-time winningest coach (199) and enters his 12th season in University City in 2020-21. "Our coaching staff always strives to bring in student-athletes who are motivated and hard-working both on the court and in the classroom, and we are adding four women with strong character who will be excellent additions to our team, our University and our community."
 
Penn finished the 2019-20 season with a 20-7 overall record and finished second in the Ivy League with a 10-4 conference mark, earning the second seed in the Ivy League Tournament before it was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Quakers have finished first or second in the Ancient Eight each of the last seven seasons, reaching at least 20 overall wins and a double-figure Ivy win total in each of those campaigns.
 
 
LAUREN CHARLTON
6-1 | Guard
Shavertown, Pa. | Dallas
 
High School: Four-year varsity starter at Dallas High School for head coach Kelly Johnson … Senior year captain … Scored exactly 1,000 points in her career … As a senior, Times Leader Player of the Year and second-team Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class 4A all-state after leading Dallas to the Wyoming Valley Conference (WVC) Division 1 championship, the District 2 Class 4A title game, and the second round of PIAA Class 4A state tournament (the school's first PIAA appearance in 18 years) … Led the Wyoming Valley Conference in 3-point FG (71) and free-throw percentage (84.3%) in being named WVC Coaches Association MVP … Two-time first-team Times Leader All-Star … As a junior, WVC Division 1 Player of the Year … Named WVC Player of the Year by NEPA Basketball as a senior … Two-time first-team NEPA Basketball All-District … Two-time Citizens Voice first-team All-Star … Two-time Citizens Voice Athlete of the Week … Named Mike Duda Tournament MVP as a sophomore and senior, three-time all-tournament … Spent six years playing AAU, the last three with JB Hoops Varsity … With JB Hoops, won 2019 Atlantic City Showcase, 2019 Nike TOC, and 2019 USJN … National Honor Society member … Dallas High School Gifted Program
 
Personal: Daughter of Lynne Coslett-Charlton and William Charlton … Cousin, Vaughn Charlton, played football at Temple and signed with NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers … Cousin, James Burns, ran cross country/track & field at George Mason … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because I attended a women's basketball summer camp freshman year and was instantly in awe of the idea of playing at the Palestra. Through the recruiting process, it became clear that Coach McLaughlin and his staff valued the educational experience that I would receive as much as my commitment to playing basketball. The chemistry on this team is immediately apparent, and I am beyond honored and thrilled to be a part of the Penn Women's Basketball Family!"
 
Coach McLaughlin on Lauren: "Lauren is a big wing who can really shoot the three. Her ability to spread the floor will make everyone around her better. She just loves the game. I think Lauren is really going to help us in terms of her high energy and her competitive edge. She is a player who good teams need to have because she finds ways to get it done. I think Lauren is going to have a solid career here at Penn."
 
 
JORDAN OBI
6-1 | Forward
Cupertino, Calif. | Choate Rosemary Hall
 
High School: Four-year varsity letter winner, playing for head coaches Aliya Cox and Donta Johnson … Team captain as a senior … Helped Choate to the New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) Class A final her sophomore year … All-NEPSAC as a senior, honorable mention All-NEPSAC as a junior … Two-time NEPSAC Class A All-Star ... 2019-20 stats: 19.5 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 4 APG, 2.5 BPG, 2.5 SPG ... Scored more than 1,000 points over her career ... Played four years with AAU team New York Gauchos, earning Adidas Gauntlet All-American honors.
 
Personal: Daughter of Chizoba and Innocent Obi … Older brother, Jonah, plays college basketball at Colby College … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because it embodies a great balance of academics, athletics, and a strong social culture. All of these things made me fall in love with the atmosphere of the school. Additionally, the Penn women's basketball staff made me feel at ease, welcomed, and a part of the family."
 
Coach McLaughlin on Jordan: "Jordan is a very good athlete with great strength and size and a skill set that allows her to do a little bit of everything. She can create her own shot, shoot the three, and get to the basket. I think Jordan is going to have the opportunity to compete and play right away. We'll need her to consistently rebound the ball and I think she will be able to do that. Jordan really understands the game and I think she'll contribute with her knowledge as well as her ability. She is a winner, and we couldn't be happier that she chose Penn."
 
 
KEMARI REYNOLDS
5-7 | Guard
Manchester, N.J. | Manchester Township
 
High School: Four years of varsity basketball at MTHS under head coach David Beauchemin … Senior captain … Four-time South Jersey Group 2 sectional champion … Two-time NJSIAA Group 2 champion … Three-time WOBM Christmas Classic champion … Won the Shore Conference Tournament (SCT) title her junior year, SCT finalist her senior year … Finished her career as a 1,000-point scorer and holds program record for career assists … Most Outstanding Senior Athlete recipient … Four-time first-team all-division … Two-time MVP (showcase and team) … Won three championships with her AAU team, Philly Belles … National Honor Society member.
 
Personal: Daughter of Teekemia and Shavar Reynolds, Sr. … Older brother, Shavar Jr., plays college basketball at Seton Hall … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because as soon as I took my first step on campus, it felt like home. I knew that I was going to be in an environment that was very family oriented and that I was going to be surrounded by people with the same goals as me. I also love the coaching staff and the fact that Penn is so close to home!"
 
Coach McLaughlin on Kemari: "Kemari was one of the top point guards in New Jersey and has a very high basketball IQ. She sees the floor well and is excellent in transition. She is able to get in the lane and pull up, and she is able to attack the basket. Defensively, she will give us a spark with her energy and ability to play 94 feet. I think, skill-wise, Kemari is prepared for the college game. She is a natural floor leader and someone who can really bring a group together with her leadership ability. She exhibits a fearless and confident demeanor on the floor that makes everyone around her better."
 
 
MICHAELA STANFIELD
6-0 | Guard
Needham, Mass. | The Winsor School
 
High School: Four-year starter and two-year captain at The Winsor School for head coach Kyara Weekes … 2020 McDonald's All-American nominee … Graduated as the program's all-time leading scorer with more than 1,500 points … Three-time NEPSAC All-Star … Four-time Eastern Independent League All-Star … Three-time Boston Globe All-Scholastic … 2019-20 Winsor Bremer Athletic Prize recipient for general excellence across all varsity sports … Two-time winner of the Winsor Basketball Cup … Two-time Groton Holiday Tournament All-Star … Kingswood-Oxford Holiday Tournament All-Star … New England Girls' Recruiting NEPSAC Player of the Week in 2019 … With her AAU team, New England Crusaders, won the 2019 USJN national championship … Two-time USJN All-Star … 2019 Blue Star Nationals All-Star and Northeast Elite Showcase All-Star … Head of the African-American Affinity Group … Venture Capitalist Club and Amnesty International member.
 
Personal: Daughter of Kimberly and Troy Stanfield … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because of the opportunity to pursue excellence in academics and athletics. I knew that I would be supported by an amazing coaching staff and teammates who want to compete against the best and strive for championships. The community at Penn is so welcoming and I can't wait to be a part of it."
 
Coach McLaughlin on Michaela: "Michaela is another player in this class who gives us versatility with her length and size at the guard position. She has a tremendous upside. She is athletic, determined, competitive, and has been well-coached. Michaela has a tremendous work ethic. She always wants to be better and is willing to work hard to get there. With the intangibles she has, I think Michaela will have a bright future here at Penn."