A diverse portfolio is a term most often connected to the stock market.

It could also describe the trio of freshmen new to the NIU women’s basketball team this season.

Five-foot-eight Rachel Sillar is the floor general of the group, 5-foot-10 Alyssa Verdegan is the scorer/slasher and 6-foot-1 Jamie Wilson is the low-post presence.

All this adds up to high hopes from coach Carol Hammerle.

“Everything that they bring to the program, I think they’re going to make a tremendous impact as freshmen,” Hammerle said. “I think they’re going to help us get to the next level.”

Of the three, Wilson figures to get the most playing time this season, said Hammerle, because of the Huskies’ shortage at the power forward and center positions.

Wilson comes to NIU from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, where she starred for Reynoldsburg High School.

She led RHS to a 20-4 record her senior year as she put up 16.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Her efforts won her Special Mention All-State recognition.

“I really just like to take it one game at a time,” Wilson said. “Everything that I get, I want to work for it. I’m happy to play, but I’m also happy to help the team in whatever way.”

Hammerle is looking forward to Wilson taking the court for real.

“She’s been really fun to watch,” Hammerle said. “She’s very athletic. She’s picking up the system very quickly. Because we are so short at the four and five positions, Jamie’s going to have to see a lot of playing time.”

Sillar is from Plainfield High School, where she graduated as the team’s all-time leading scorer. She has a knack for the ball, as her 5.1 steals per game her senior year can attest to.

After a season in which the Wildcats advanced to the IHSA state tournament’s sectional final for the first time, Sillar earned Special Mention All-State accolades.

“I’m just hoping to contribute wherever possible,” Sillar said. “Hopefully, I can learn a lot about the game and become a stronger player and really help NIU as a team.”

With Sillar trying to learn the complex point guard position, Hammerle sees her early struggles as a prelude to what will come.

“She’s been struggling big time, but I am really confident she has the tools to be an outstanding player,” Hammerle said. “It’s just going to take a little bit of time. The point guard position is really a hard position to learn.”

Rounding out the trio of newcomers is Verdegan, coming to NIU after graduating as Flambeau High School’s (Wis.) leading scorer.

She produced similar numbers to Wilson her senior year, pouring in 15.3 points a game and pulling down 8.2 rebounds per game. Her 5.2 steals per game prove her defensive abilities.

“I’m learning,” Verdegan said. “I see myself helping out but not really as a scorer. I’m getting out there and trying to learn the plays.”

Hammerle has taken notice of Verdegan’s multiple skills.

“She’s a two or three player who can shoot the three, can penetrate and has good hands,” said Hammerle. “She’s doing well.”