Women's Basketball Announces Four-Player Recruiting Class
11/15/2018 12:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Tai Johnson, Carly Krsul, Brooke Mullin, and Emma Shaffer Will Join the Bison Next Season
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Seventh-year head coach Aaron Roussell has announced the signing of four student-athletes to the women's basketball program for the 2019-20 season. Tai Johnson, Carly Krsul, Brooke Mullin, and Emma Shaffer each signed their national letters of intent to join the Bison and will make up the team's class of 2023.
"I would like to thank our current and former coaching staffs for their essential role in collecting what we believe to be a very special class," Roussell said. "Each of these players have experienced great team and individual achievements in their basketball careers and we look forward to that success continuing at Bucknell.
"I feel fortunate to coach at such a prestigious institution like Bucknell, as the school and what it will provide these student-athletes was a major factor in their college decision. While we trust this place will give them a great basketball experience, I know that their futures will be incredibly bright because of what this institution provides and teaches them.
Johnson was a First Team All-State selection in Pennsylvania while leading Mars High School to the Class 5A state title last season. The 5-8 guard was named the WPIAL Class 5A Player of the Year by Cover Three Athletics and has been selected to the All-Section 4 First Team three times.
Johnson averaged more than 15 points in each of her first three seasons, including 18.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.8 steals as a junior. In addition to her high school, Johnson plays AAU with the Western PA Bruins.
"Tai is a complete player that can play the PG but also can play multiple positions," Roussell said. "She understands the game very well and can score from every level. Her athleticism will allow us to play fast and ability to shoot will help us spread the floor."
Krsul, a 6-1 forward, is a three-time All-Conference selection known for her defensive prowess. She already owns the career blocks record at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in Minnesota with 213, as well as the school's single-season blocks record with 90.
A team captain for her high school, Krsul also plays AAU with the Minnesota Fury. Additionally, she was a two-year captain and three-time all-conference selection in soccer.
"Carly is a gritty and tough inside presence that can also extend her game to the perimeter and the open floor," Roussell said. "She reminds me of many of the players that have had great success in our system in the past."
Mullin is a three-time First Team All-League selection and a three-time All-Bucks County honoree. She led Neshaminy High School in Pennsylvania to back-to-back Suburban One League titles and two appearances in the PIAA quarterfinal round. She has averaged 12.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals through three seasons.
A 5-11 guard, Mullin plays AAU for the Lady Runnin' Rebels. She is also a three-time All-League selection in soccer and led her team to a runner-up finish at the 2017 Pennsylvania state tournament.
Brooke Mullin:
"Brooke is an incredibly versatile player that will be a very tough matchup in our system," Roussell said. "She has the size, athleticism and skill set that will allow her to be an early contributor and will help us replace a couple of the players we will lose at her position next year."
Shaffer, a 6-2 forward, is a two-time First Team All-Conference player at Ursuline Academy in Ohio. The two-year captain also earned All-District recognition as a junior. She led the league in rebounding in each of the past two seasons and led the league in scoring as a junior when she averaged 13.1 points and 11.4 boards. She plays AAU with Midwest Takeover.
Shaffer is the daughter of two former Bucknell student-athletes. Kirsten Shaffer (Ellison) '92 played basketball for the Bison and still ranks fourth in program history in rebounds (892) and 20th in points (1,050). Her father, Bob Shaffer '91, played on the Bucknell football team.
"Emma's athleticism and ability to create mismatches while still being able to defend multiple spots on the other end will continue to allow us to play the way we would like to play at the forward position," Roussell said. "She understands the game and positioning around the basket incredibly well at such a young age."
The four incoming players will join a team that made a national postseason tournament in each of the past three seasons and was picked first in the Patriot League Preseason Poll this year.
"Two things that really stood out with this class, in addition to the great character of the four players, was how much we enjoyed our time with the families and with the coaches of these prospects," Roussell said. "Each of them come in being very well coached, which will help them to make an early impact on our program. And each of them come from incredible families that have laid a great foundation for their futures. I feel very blessed for the opportunity to coach these new additions to the Bison program."
Â
"I would like to thank our current and former coaching staffs for their essential role in collecting what we believe to be a very special class," Roussell said. "Each of these players have experienced great team and individual achievements in their basketball careers and we look forward to that success continuing at Bucknell.
"I feel fortunate to coach at such a prestigious institution like Bucknell, as the school and what it will provide these student-athletes was a major factor in their college decision. While we trust this place will give them a great basketball experience, I know that their futures will be incredibly bright because of what this institution provides and teaches them.
Johnson was a First Team All-State selection in Pennsylvania while leading Mars High School to the Class 5A state title last season. The 5-8 guard was named the WPIAL Class 5A Player of the Year by Cover Three Athletics and has been selected to the All-Section 4 First Team three times.
Johnson averaged more than 15 points in each of her first three seasons, including 18.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.8 steals as a junior. In addition to her high school, Johnson plays AAU with the Western PA Bruins.
"Tai is a complete player that can play the PG but also can play multiple positions," Roussell said. "She understands the game very well and can score from every level. Her athleticism will allow us to play fast and ability to shoot will help us spread the floor."
Krsul, a 6-1 forward, is a three-time All-Conference selection known for her defensive prowess. She already owns the career blocks record at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in Minnesota with 213, as well as the school's single-season blocks record with 90.
A team captain for her high school, Krsul also plays AAU with the Minnesota Fury. Additionally, she was a two-year captain and three-time all-conference selection in soccer.
"Carly is a gritty and tough inside presence that can also extend her game to the perimeter and the open floor," Roussell said. "She reminds me of many of the players that have had great success in our system in the past."
Mullin is a three-time First Team All-League selection and a three-time All-Bucks County honoree. She led Neshaminy High School in Pennsylvania to back-to-back Suburban One League titles and two appearances in the PIAA quarterfinal round. She has averaged 12.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals through three seasons.
A 5-11 guard, Mullin plays AAU for the Lady Runnin' Rebels. She is also a three-time All-League selection in soccer and led her team to a runner-up finish at the 2017 Pennsylvania state tournament.
Brooke Mullin:
"Brooke is an incredibly versatile player that will be a very tough matchup in our system," Roussell said. "She has the size, athleticism and skill set that will allow her to be an early contributor and will help us replace a couple of the players we will lose at her position next year."
Shaffer, a 6-2 forward, is a two-time First Team All-Conference player at Ursuline Academy in Ohio. The two-year captain also earned All-District recognition as a junior. She led the league in rebounding in each of the past two seasons and led the league in scoring as a junior when she averaged 13.1 points and 11.4 boards. She plays AAU with Midwest Takeover.
Shaffer is the daughter of two former Bucknell student-athletes. Kirsten Shaffer (Ellison) '92 played basketball for the Bison and still ranks fourth in program history in rebounds (892) and 20th in points (1,050). Her father, Bob Shaffer '91, played on the Bucknell football team.
"Emma's athleticism and ability to create mismatches while still being able to defend multiple spots on the other end will continue to allow us to play the way we would like to play at the forward position," Roussell said. "She understands the game and positioning around the basket incredibly well at such a young age."
The four incoming players will join a team that made a national postseason tournament in each of the past three seasons and was picked first in the Patriot League Preseason Poll this year.
"Two things that really stood out with this class, in addition to the great character of the four players, was how much we enjoyed our time with the families and with the coaches of these prospects," Roussell said. "Each of them come in being very well coached, which will help them to make an early impact on our program. And each of them come from incredible families that have laid a great foundation for their futures. I feel very blessed for the opportunity to coach these new additions to the Bison program."
Â
Davidson at Bucknell Field Hockey Highlights 10-26-2025
Sunday, October 26
Bucknell Swimming and Diving Fall Invite Vs. Seton Hall and Binghamton University (10/25/25)
Sunday, October 26
American at Bucknell Men's Soccer Highlights 10-25-2025
Sunday, October 26
Georgetown at Bucknell Football Highlights 10-25-2025
Saturday, October 25