The 2014 recruiting classes are coming into focus, and over the next month we will review some of the programs that are enjoying the most success in the early going. Here is a quick look at some of the teams that have been making noise this summer, along with the perspective of All Star Girls Report analyst Bret McCormick. Each athlete is listed with their ASGR national ranking for 2014.
Towson: No. 208, Breonn Hughey, 5-4, PG; No. 268, Braysia Hicks, 5-11, WF; NR, Dajha Thomas, 6-3, C; NR, Shanea Butler, 5-11, F.
McCormick on the Tigers: “Breonn is a good lefty point guard who can score. She is explosive and crafty on the court. Braysia is a strong athlete who can post up inside or step outside. Dajha is an athletic post who runs well and is active in the lane, and she is still developing her skills. Shanea is a local player who is a good, athletic wing.”
Jacksonville: No. 244, Terra Lewis, 5-7, PG; No. 336, Kayla Gordon, 5-11, PF; No. 510, Imani Kyser, 6-0, PF; NR, ShaLeighya Sulton, 5-11, G.
McCormick on the Dolphins: “Terra is an excellent prospect with great skills, and I think she will help them immediately. Kayla is strong, aggressive athlete who can score down low and rebound effectively. Imani is an athletic inside-outside player who goes hard all the time. ShaLeighya is a two-three player who likes to slash to the basket.”
Washington State: No. 235, Nike McClure, 6-3, C; No. 257, Ashley Bolston, 5-11, SG.
McCormick on the Cougars: “Nike is a long athlete who can leap and really run the floor. She has a great upside. Ashley is an athletic, strong player who can play the two or three. She has three-point range, and she can attack the basket and get to the basket.”
George Washington: No. 171, Jada Matthews, 6-1, PF; No. 239, Aminah Farmer, 5-7, PG; No. 276, Brianna Cummings, 5-10 WF; No. 315, Kelli Prange, 6-3, WF.
McCormick on the Colonials: “Jada has an inside-out game. She has a strong body, but she is athletic enough to go coast-to-coast. Aminah is quick and she knows the game. She has a good jump shot and she can hit the three. Brianna is an athletic leaper who elevates on her jumper, she gets the rim, and she is a big-time defender. Kelli is a versatile player with great skills and a high IQ. She can post up, and her range goes out to the arc.”
Syracuse: No. 115 (Vanderbilt transfer), Maggie Morrison, 5-9, PG; No. 129, Danielle Minott, 5-9, SG; No. 209, Amber Witherspoon, 6-5, C.
McCormick on the Orange: “Maggie is a fundamental point guard who will compete, and she has a nice three-point shot. Danielle had a great summer. She is a terrific athlete who can really elevate and attack the basket. Amber brings size and athleticism. She is a shot blocker, and she can dunk.”
Wright State: No. 512, Ciara Patterson, 5-7, PG; NR, Kendyl Hinton, 5-8, G.
McCormick on the Raiders: “Ciara is an intelligent, scoring point guard who can drive inside or shoot from the perimeter. Kendyl is a similar player — she is skilled and versatile.”
Cal State Bakersfield: No. 499, Airica Carmon, 5-10, SG; NR, Aja Williams, 5-7, PG.
McCormick on the Roadrunners: “Airica has a good mid-range game, she knows who to get to the hoop, and you have to defend her on the arc. Aja is a wiry athlete who slashes to the basket, and she is a good floor general.”
Radford: NR, Jordan Toohey, 5-10, F; NR, Janayla White, 6-2, C; NR, Jayda Worthy, 6-0, PF; NR, Brittany Allen, 5-8, G.
McCormick on the Highlanders: “Jordan is a fundamental player who has good shooting range. Janayla will help with good size in the post, and she runs the floor well. Jayda a blue collar forward who does all the little things. Brittany understands the game, she has good quickness, and she can score in a lot of different ways.”
Louisiana Lafayette: No. 163, Cienna Rivera, 5-6, PG; No. 639, Simone Fields, 6-1, PF; NR, Carissa Diaz, 6-2, PF.
McCormick on the Ragin’ Cajuns: “Cienna is a great get for them. She is a fundamental point guard who knows the game. She sees the floor well and has an all-around game. Simone is a really strong kid who is very physical. She rebounds and she can score against contact. Carissa has good size and she is a smart player with an inside-out game.”
Santa Clara: NR, Taylor Berry, 5-11, G; NR, Sidney Rielly, 5-10, G.
McCormick on the Broncos: “Taylor is a strong perimeter player with a nice pull-up jumper and three-point range. Sidney is a lefty who knows the game, and she has a knack for getting to the hoop.”