FAIRFAX, Va. – On the day the George Mason women's basketball team is set to begin its 2016-17 season, the Patriots have received good news for the future.

On Friday, Mason women's basketball head coach Nyla Milleson announced the Patriots' 2017 signing class. High school seniors Danielle Deoul (Washingtonville, N.Y./Immaculate Conception), Nikki Cardaño-Hillary (Georgetown, Texas/Vista Ridge), Camarie Gatling (Richmond, Va./Highland Springs) and Marika Korpinen (Turku, Finland/Long Island) have all signed National Letters of Intent to play collegiately at George Mason.

"We are extremely excited about the addition of these four young women," Milleson said. "Cam, Dani, Marika, and Nikki fit exactly what we are looking for in a recruiting class. Their individual talent, basketball IQ, and skill sets will allow them to immediately have an impact on this program and will help us to continue our rise in the A-10 and on the national stage. They are all proven winners; playing for successful high school, AAU, and national teams. Most importantly, they are going to be great teammates. The players' diverse backgrounds and upbringings show the power and reach of Mason Nation. The future of Mason basketball is bright with the addition of these four young ladies!"

Danielle Deoul (Washingtonville, N.Y./Immaculate Conception)
6-2 – Forward
A 6-foot-2 forward, Deoul has averaged a double-double during her high school career, which has included stops at Saddle River Day (N.J.) and Washingtonville (N.Y).  She has been rated as one of the top centers in New Jersey. She also played AAU ball for iExcel. An academically sound student, she has made the Dean's List, honor roll and been named a New York and New Jersey scholar-athlete. She intends to major in criminology and law. Her brother, Derek, plays football at the University of Maine.

Quoting Milleson
"Dani is an explosive forward who can shoot the 3-point shot or bang down low in the post. She brings that New York toughness and will do whatever it takes to win. She is an excellent communicator and team defender, a great passer, and has the skills to be a scorer."

Nikki Cardaño-Hillary (Georgetown, Texas/Cedar Park)
5-7 – Guard
The 5-foot-7 guard has helped lead Vista Ridge to the Texas state basketball tournament the last two seasons. As a junior, she averaged nearly 12 points and more than three rebounds and three assists a game as the Rangers rolled to a 35-4 record. She has played AAU ball for TeamXpress. She plans to major in international policy. Spanish is her first language as she grew up and lived in Spain the first 12 years of her life.

Quoting Milleson
"Nikki was the final piece of the puzzle, committing to us in late September. She is a highly talented ball handler and scorer with the ability to get hot at any time. She can hit the three, elevate in the mid-range or take it to the hoop and finish in traffic. She's another player who comes from a high school with great basketball tradition. Nikki is going to be fun to play with and we will feed off of her energy and enthusiasm."

Camarie Gatling (Richmond, Va./Highland Springs)
6-2 – Forward
Another 6-foot-2 forward in the signing class, Gatling won't be far from home. The Richmond native helped Highland Springs reach the state championship game last year. She played her AAU ball for Cross-Over Hoops.

Quoting Milleson
"Cam was the first one in this group to commit. She is a very athletic and strong forward, with the ability to post up or step out. She plays for one of the best high school teams in the state of Virginia that consistently competes for state championships. Cam has unlimited potential and will bolster our post position for the next four years."

Marika Korpinen (Turku, Finland/Long Island)
5-9 – Guard
A native of Finland, Korpinen hasn't been in the United States long. But the 5-foot-9 guard has already made an impact at Long Island Lutheran High School in New York. Coming over from Finland before her junior year in 2015, she set the school record for assists in a game with 11 at Long Island Lutheran. She was a captain for the Finland U-16 National Team and the Baltic Sea Cup MVP. She was also the student of the year her freshman and sophomore years back in Finland.

Quoting Milleson
"Marika is the ultimate team player. She makes her teammates better with her ability to make plays and see the next pass. She is a very athletic defender and a great outside shooter. Marika has international experience as the captain of Finland's U16 National Team and currently plays for powerhouse Long Island Lutheran. She is one of the hardest workers and will bring that work ethic to Mason everyday."