RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech head coach Brooke Stoehr announced the addition of three student-athletes to the Lady Techster basketball program during the first day of the early signing period.

LA Tech added forward Ayen Angoi (Dallas, Texas/Bishop Lynch HS), guard Anja Bukvic (Belgrad, Serbia/V Economic School), and guard Jaiden Thomas (Conway, Ark./Conway HS).

"We are excited to welcome this talented group of young women to the Lady Techster program," said Stoehr. "This group brings a great mix of size and athleticism. We were able to address some needs both on the perimeter and the interior with this signing class. These newest Lady Techsters are accomplished both on and off the court and will be terrific additions to our program, campus and the Ruston community."

Angoi is a 6-foot-1-inch forward out of Bishop Lynch High School (Dallas, Texas). She lettered the past two years for Head Coach Andy Zihlman and the Friars, leading the program to a 27-4 record as a junior.

"Ayen is a versatile forward who can score both facing the basket and as a traditional block post," said Stoehr. "She comes from a very successful high school program and has learned how to work and win from Coach Andy Zihlman at Bishop Lynch. I believe Ayen's best basketball is ahead of her, and she will continue to develop in a competitive environment at this level."

Angoi averaged 6.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while outscoring opponents by 239 points when on the floor as a junior. Angoi helped her team win the district championship on the way to winning the program's 30th state championship with a 56-46 win over The Village School in the TAPPS 6A State Championship game.

"I chose Louisiana Tech because it is a place that will allow me to grow in all aspects," said Angoi. "The basketball program as well as the athletic program exceeded my requirements for the university that I wanted to attend. I am glad that I am able to join the community at Louisiana Tech."

Angoi was named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 6A all-state honorable mention team and was a first team all-district honoree following her junior season. She also earned honorable mention all-district honors as a sophomore. Angoi plays AAU for the Lady Drive Nation 17u EYBL and coach Jason Terry.

"Ayen has worked so hard for this opportunity to go to college to play basketball and earn a college education," said Bishop Lynch High School Coach Andy Zihlman. "We are so proud of her and look forward to her growing even more at Louisiana Tech."

Bukvic is a 5-foot-10-inch guard from Belgrade, Serbia. She attends V Economic School in Serbia but has been a starter on two of the top teams in the First Serbia League – the highest level of basketball in Serbia. She has played for Partizan and Art Basket the last four years under head coach Milan Vidosavljevic.

"Anja has the ability to play multiple positions on the perimeter," said Stoehr. "She has nice command of the ball and can create scoring opportunities for herself and for others. Anja's experience playing in the European U18 championships and in the Serbian national team system will serve as great preparation for her transition to our program."

Bukvic helped led her Partizan team to a gold medal in the U16 League of Serbia during the 2017-18 season. She averaged 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4.5 assists and earned a gold medal with Art Basket in the Serbian Cup Competition in 2021, while also collecting a silver medal in the First Seniors League of Serbia last season.

"Anja Bukvic has a (solid) work ethic which is a very important prerequisite, as well as an enviable basketball intelligence, given her age," said Vidosavljevic. "She has good physique, is a good in-game one-on-one player and is able to create space to shoot for herself and others. She has quite good ball control, and I think she is a very good individual and team player."

Bukvic averaged 12 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while competing for team Serbia this last summer in the European U18 championships, helping her team to a perfect 5-0 record and a Klatovy Challenger title.

"Louisiana Tech is a (program) with such great history, and I'm grateful to have an opportunity to be a part of it," said Bukvic. "I think that LA Tech has a great set of coaches and players that will help me improve as a player and as an individual."

Jaiden Thomas is a 5-foot-10-inch guard out of Conway High School in Arkansas. She has lettered the past three years for coach Ashley Hutchcraft and the Wampus Cats, leading the program to a 17-4 record and a third straight Arkansas Class 6A semifinals appearance as a junior.

"Jaiden is a versatile guard who can score at all three levels," said Stoehr. "She is a tremendous shooter and has the ability to defend and rebound with the toughness we desire from our perimeter players. Jaiden is a committed competitor that has played in a highly successful program at Conway High School for Coach Ashley Hutchcraft. She knows how to win and impacts those around her daily."

Thomas has averaged 21.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.0 steals per game in her three year at Conway High School, earning Class 6A Central All-Conference honors as well as Class 6A all-state honors as a junior. Thomas also earned all-conference honors helping her team to a 23-8 record as a sophomore.  Thomas was named to the Sandra Meadows All-Tournament team during junior season. She holds Conway's program record for the most three-points in a single game with nine.

"I am ecstatic to be continuing my basketball career at Louisiana Tech," said Thomas. "There have been many factors that have drawn me to this particular school; one being the relationship that I have built with the coaching staff over the years of my recruitment. In addition to successfully creating a family atmosphere at this school, they continue to show their support for me in everything that I do. It gives me the confidence needed to ensure that this is the right fit."

"Louisiana Tech is known for having a rich history in women's basketball. It is exciting for me to have the chance to represent them to the best of my ability, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me as a Lady Techster."

Thomas helped lead Conway to a 6A Central conference title as well as a 21-3 record and Class 6A state tournament appearance as a freshman.

She played AAU for Coach Mike Charles and the Arkansas Dazzlers and for Coach Wright and Coach Gatewood and the 17U Team Lex Tarheels.

"Jaiden has brought a level of play and work ethic to our program that will leave a long-lasting effect," said Hutchcraft. "It has been a blessing to be called her coach for four years. Our team, school and community are proud of what she has accomplished on the floor but most importantly the character she shows off the floor. There is no doubt we are sending Jaiden into good hands with Coach Stoehr and Co. They have handled Jaiden's recruiting process with nothing but class, and I have the utmost respect for the Lady Techsters program."