PORTLAND ? Portland State inked four players to national letters of intent to play basketball for the Vikings, during the early signing period, head coach Sherri Murrell announced Thursday. Portland State signed two players from the Seattle-area in forward Stephanie Egwuatu, Auburn, Wash., and guard Eryn Jones, Lynnwood, Wash., and two from the Portland-metro area in center Kimberly Van Dyke, McMinnville, and forward/center Katy Wade, from Portland.

All four players will be eligible to compete for the Vikings during the 2008-09 academic year.

“All four players bring outstanding qualities both on-and-off the court,” Murrell said. “In their short careers, they have already achieved success on the court and excellence in the classroom. We are proud and excited about our first recruiting class and the impact they will have on our Championship Journey.”

Egwuatu, 5-10, was an honorable mention all-state selection in helping lead Auburn Riverside to the Washington Class 3A state championship. It was the third straight year Riverside has made the state tournament, as Egwuatu was a member of the school's first-ever state tournament team as a freshman in 2005, and helped the school to a sixth-place finish in 2006. Egwuatu was named to the state all-tournament team in 2006.

“Stephanie is an incredible athlete who will bring the physical presence needed to strengthen our inside game, in particular our rebounding,” Murrell said.

Jones, 5-8, is a two-time honorable mention Street and Smith High School All-America selection at Meadowdale High School. Last season, Jones was named first team 3A all-state by The Associated Press, and was also a first team all-area selection by the Everett Herald. Jones is also a three-time All-Wesco selection, earning first team honors as a junior, second team as a sophomore, and honorable mention as a freshman.

"Eryn is an outstanding point guard with great court sense,” Murrell said. “Her competitive demeanor and ability to shoot the ball will make her an immediate asset to this team.”

Van Dyke, 6-3, was a second team All-Pacific Conference performer last season as a junior at McMinnville High School. She averaged 10.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for the Grizzlies.

“Kim has the versatility and overall athleticism that coaches look for in players,” Murrell said. “At 6-3, she has the ability to play both inside and out, and offensively has a great touch around the rim.”

Wade, 6-2, is a three-year starter at Central Catholic, helping the Rams to an eighth-place at the 2006 Class 6A Oregon State Tournament and a third-place showing at the state tournament in 2007. She was named to the all-tournament team at the 2007 End of the Trail Shootout.

"Katy, with her length and ability to alter shots, will immediately provide a defensive presence to our program,” Murrell said. “Katy has also shown great potential to become an offensive threat inside.”

Portland State opened its season last Saturday with a 62-60 win over Binghamton. The Vikings will host Utah State Friday evening at 7:05 p.m., inside the Peter W. Stott Center.