CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team announced the addition of Haylee Wheeler (F/C, 6-2, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent. Wheeler is the first signee for the 2020 signing class for Mike Roysland and the Golden Eagles.

"Haylee is 6-2 and has strong post moves inside and she also possesses the ability to step out and shoot the three," said Head Coach Mike Roysland. "Something we were looking to add this season is more depth at the five and we feel like Haylee is a great get at that position. We are excited to have Haylee as a member of the Golden Eagle women's basketball program and are very excited for what she will bring to the team."

Wheeler gives Minnesota Crookston great length at the post to help complement Bren Fox (So., F/C, Norwood Young America, Minn.), and Julia Peplinski (So., F/C, Hustisford, Wis.). Wheeler also has a great ability to be effective inside and outside shooting the three. Minnesota Crookston has continued to add to their length in recent season as Wheeler will give the Golden Eagles nine players over 5-10 for the 2020-21 season.

The Golden Eagles are coming off a 10-19 mark during the 2018-19 season. Minnesota Crookston started the 2017-18 season off with a 5-1 mark and earned their first-ever regional ranking. The Golden Eagles have a young squad for the 2019-20 slate with 10 players that are either freshmen or sophomores. Wheeler helps to build on strong recruiting classes the Golden Eagles have had in recent years as they look to build the foundation for the program. The Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team is seeking to get back to the Sanford Pentagon for the NSIC/Sanford Health quarterfinals for the fourth time in the last six seasons.

The student-athlete listed as having signed a National Letter of Intent or Offer of Admission to play women's basketball at the University of Minnesota Crookston have been verified by the Minnesota Crookston compliance office once they sign the National Letter of Intent or once the student-athlete has accepted an Offer of Admission for Minnesota Crookston.

Haylee Wheeler (F/C, 6-2, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South H.S.)
Wheeler tallied 9.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game as a junior for Lakeville South H.S. She was an All-South Suburban Conference pick as a junior and was named team captain going into her senior season. She played AAU basketball for the Minnesota Stars. Wheeler had 22 points last season against Prior Lake H.S. She notched 20 points in a win Feb. 5 over Shakopee H.S. Wheeler scored in double figures on 10 occasions during her junior season.

She was born July 11, 2002. Wheeler is the daughter of Brian Wheeler. She plans to major in business. Her father Brian Wheeler played football at the University of Missouri.