New coach Joe McKeown signed two recruits to national letters of intent Monday, marking the beginning of his first recruits since becoming coach at Northwestern.

The Wildcats will add forwards Inga Orekhova and Dannielle Diamant next season.

“My staff did an outstanding job with our first recruiting class at Northwestern,” McKeown said. “We brought in student-athletes we think will have an impact on our program over the next four years.”

Orekhova, a 6-foot-3 forward from La Jolla, Calif., is ranked 40th overall by ESPN’s Hoopgurlz.com and 28th in the nation by All-Star Girls Report. She averaged 15.9 points per game, 8.0 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per game despite missing half her junior year.

Diamant, a 6-foot-4 forward from Las Vegas, Nev., averaged 12 points per game and eight boards per game as a junior in leading her high school to a Class 4A state championship. She is currently ranked 20th at her position by ESPN’ Hoopgurlz.com. Diamant is also the granddaughter of legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian.