PEORIA, Ill. -- Bradley women's basketball head coach Paula Buscher picked up three commitments during the Fall Signing Period as high school seniors Shronda Butts (Des Moines, Iowa/East), Fantasia Vine (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) and Michelle Young (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury) each signed National Letters of Intent to attend Bradley.

"We are very excited to add these three quality individuals to our program," Buscher said.  "Michelle has the ability to spread the floor with her three-point shooting and quickness.  Shronda is very competitive and is always looking to get her teammates involved.  Fantasia's speed and vision along with her ability to defend will make it hard to keep her off the court.  All three individuals have a great passion for the game and I'm looking forward to have all three be part of our success in the coming years."

Butts is a 5-7 point guard and averaged 14.6 points, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game last year for East High School in Des Moines, Iowa.  She was a first-team all-state performer and earned Class 4A All-Tournament honors as a junior.  A three-time letterwinner, she has helped her team to three consecutive conference championships and a second-place Class 4A state finish in 2009-10.

A 5-9 guard Young is the eighth Bradley women's basketball player from the state of Minnesota.  She averaged 12.2 points per game and shot 40 percent from three-point range last year as a junior.  An all-state honorable mention selection in 2009-10, Young was all-conference honoree as a junior and helped the Royals to a conference title.  She also helped lead her Metro Stars travel team to a division title at the Nike Oregon End of Trail Tournament this past summer. 

Vine averaged 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.9 steals per game as a junior at Wheaton North in 2009-10.  A 5-7 guard, she is a two-year team captain and was named the DuPage Valley Conference Player of the Year last season.  A two-time all-conference selection, Vine averaged 12.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.4 steals per game as a sophomore and has helped the Falcons to consecutive conference titles. 

The Braves return to action Tuesday when the Braves face #22 Iowa at 5 p.m. in Iowa City, Iowa.  The game will be broadcast in the Peoria area on 1290 AM WIRL. 

What They Are Saying About Shronda Butts

"Shronda is a multi-talented combo guard who can score in a variety of ways and is very creative off the dribble," Des Moines East head coach Sam Powell said.  "Shronda should provide the Braves with added offensive power from the perimeter and off the dribble. In addition, she is the ultimate competitor who symbolizes what toughness and heart is all about."

What They Are Saying About Fantasia Vine

"Fantasia is thrilled to become apart of the tight-knit Bradley community and is anxiously awaiting to contribute to both the academic and athletic traditions that made Bradley stand-out to her," Wheaton North head coach Dave Eaton said.

"Fantasia has in a short period of time become a complete player that can play multiple positions, and play way bigger then she is at the small forward slot,"  Illinois Lady Lightening head coach Mike Seberger said.  "She is a great team mate and becoming a great leader on the basketball court also. She burst on the AAU/National seen summer between her sophomore and junior year, getting three division one offers end of that summer.  This past summer she really blew up and had 25 plus schools after her."

What They Are Saying About Michelle Young

"In Michelle, Bradley is getting a player who is really coming into her own," Woodbury head coach Dave Preller said.  "In addition to her skill slashing and attacking the basket she now has a great three-point shot that forces opponents to defend her all over the court.  She will see many double teams and junk defenses this season and will provide many assists to her teammates.  She has worked hard to become a huge offensive threat and her confidence has grown tremendously."

"Michelle is an awesome talent," Minnesota Metro Stars head coach Steve Reiter said.  "She can run, jump and is an explosive scorer and rebounder.  She has all the tools that a coach looks for in an athlete."