PORTLAND, Ore. — Call it the bird class. You sign players named "Buzzard" and "Chicken" and that nickname comes naturally. Whether any of the four players signed Friday have the quality of a Larry or Sue Bird will now be the hope of the Portland State women's basketball program and head coach Chelsey Gregg.
 
The Vikings signed Sophie Buzzard, Hannah Chicken, Kailee Field and Ryme Jaekel to its 2025 recruiting class. The foursome provides a combination of local and international flavor to the Vikings' roster. Buzzard and Jaekel both bring the local flare from Camas, Wash., and Gladstone, Ore., respectively. Chicken and Field, meanwhile, come to the Vikings from Australia.
 
Buzzard, Field and Jaekel will add depth for the Vikings at guard, while Chicken will join the frontcourt as a 6-0 forward.
 
The signing class will replace a six-member senior class for the Vikings this season that includes starters Alaya Fitzgerald, Rhema Ogele and Lana Wenger.
 

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2025 Signing Class
Sophie Buzzard, 5-10, FR, G, Camas, Wash. (Camas HS)
Hannah Chicken, 6-0, FR, F, Taree, NSW, Australia (Hunter Sports HS)
Kailee Field, 5-10, FR, G, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Brisbane HS)
Ryme Jaekel, 5-9, FR, G, Gladstone, Ore. (Wilsonville HS)
 

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Sophie Buzzard, 5-10, FR, G, Camas, Wash. (Camas HS)
 
CAMAS HIGH SCHOOL
Won the 2024 WIAA 4A state title as a junior after finishing runner-up as a sophomore.
 
CLUB/AAU
Played for Northwest Select…Won a team title at the Nike Tournament of Champions.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS
Daughter of Terry Buzzard and Ingrid Hansen…Father, Terry, was an All-American pole vaulter at Western Oregon…Has a brother, Preston Buzzard, and a sister, Chloe Buzzard…Lists hiking and being with friends and family as hobbies/interests…Plans on majoring in marketing with a minor in business.
 
COACH GREGG ON SOPHIE BUZZARD
"Sophie is a winner. A state champion and a team-first player that does all the little things well and moves great without the ball. She has great length and can defend multiple positions. So excited to keep local talent close to home."
 

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Hannah Chicken, 6-0, FR, F, Taree, NSW, Australia (Hunter Sports HS)
 
BEFORE PORTLAND STATE
Named Defensive Player of the Year within the NBL1 league following the 2024 season…MVP of the u18 division during the 2022-23 season…Won the NBL1 East title with the Newcastle Falcons in 2024…Placed third at nationals with NSW Country in 2022…Won three straight state titles with her Hunter Sports HS team.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS
Daughter of Mark and Rebecca Chicken…Has two sisters, Samantha and Maddison Chicken…Plans on majoring in psychology.
 
 COACH GREGG ON HANNAH CHICKEN
"Versatile forward who can shoot with range and exploits mismatches. Runs the floor well and can stretch the floor or back you down depending on what's needed. She'll provide good size and length to our squad and experience playing with and against good competition in the NBL1 league."
 

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Kailee Field, 5-10, FR, G, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Brisbane HS)
 
BEFORE PORTLAND STATE
Played for the Mobile Comets (2018-19), EAU Ducks (2020-21), Brisbane Capitals (2021-23) and the Ipswich Force (2024)…Won Queensland Girls Secondary Schools Sports Association titles in 2022 and 2024.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS
Daughter of Damian and Sharon Field…Has two brothers, Mitchell and Samuel Field…Lists surfing, animal care and skating as hobbies/interests…Plans on majoring in pre-medicine.
 
COACH GREGG ON KAILEE FIELD
"Tough, physical guard that will outwork you and also has the ability to shoot it from the outside. Love her mentality and the way she approaches the game and her development. She never backs down from a challenge."
 

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Ryme Jaekel, 5-9, FR, G, Gladstone, Ore. (Wilsonville HS)
 
WILSONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Second-team all-league selection as a junior…All-tournament second-team selection at the state tournament as a sophomore…First-team all-league selection as a freshman…Has also played soccer and competed in track & field during high school…Earned honorable mention all-league honors in soccer as a sophomore…Basketball team finished second in state as a freshman in 2022.
 
CLUB/AAU
Played for Northwest Select (3rd-7th grade), Oregon Elite (7th grade), and ABA Elite (8th-12th grade).
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS
Daughter of Josh and Jamie Jaekel…Father, Josh, was a U.S. Marine…Mother, Jamie, played softball and volleyball in college…Has a brother, Tryton Jaekel, and a sister, Rielee Betnar…Sister, Rielee, played soccer in college…Lists meditating, taking her dogs on a walk, music, and the outdoors as hobbies/interests…Hopes to become a therapist specifically for teenagers or athletes…Plans on majoring in psychology.
 
COACH GREGG ON KAILEE FIELD
"Attack-first guard that has the ability to bring it up the floor but can also spot up from 3 when needed. A willing, solid defender, Ryme can change the game with her intensity and willingness to play hard on both sides of the ball. She has a great motor, and we look forward to keeping another local product in the state."