Bears, Jayhawks Add Top 150 Talent

The All Star Girls Report national Top 150 for the Class of 2014 has been updated, and two Big Twelve programs both added players from the list during the recent early signing period.

Baylor’s class was rated as the 26th-best group in the country according to ASGR. The unit includes wing Dekeiya Cohen, who is rated at No. 49, and post player Micayla Buckner (No. 92). Kansas was close behind the Bears, signing the 33rd ranked class with junior college post player Shea Brown (listed at No. 8 among JC recruits) leading the way along with point guard Terriell Bradley (No. 69).

Those recruits should be a part of successful programs in the coming years.

“When you look down the road at 2014-15, the first thing for Baylor is that they will lose Odyssey Sims. She is one of those players that is simply irreplaceable, but they just went through that when they lost Brittany Griner,” said ASGR analyst Bret McCormick. “They will only have one senior next year, but it will be a very talented roster. Both Imani Wright and Nina Davis should have great sophomore seasons, and Kristina Higgins will be a junior. When you look at their freshmen for next year, I think Cohen will get some playing time, but Buckner might have to wait because they are stocked with strong post players. Overall, they will be young and talented, and when you combine that roster with their coaching staff, I think they will continue to be a Top 10 program.

“Kansas will lose two seniors next year, but they will have plenty of senior leadership. Chelsea Gardner, Asia Boyd and Natalie Wright are all starting this year as juniors, so they will be the nucleus for the Jayhawks next year. When you add in their recruiting class, they should have a nice blend of experience and youth. Shae Brown, the junior college post player, should give them immediate help in the lane. I think both Bradley and Aldridge could provide support to the veterans in the backcourt.”

Now in its 18th year, the All Star Girls Report is the leader in women’s basketball scouting. ASGR’s rankings are compiled by veteran analyst McCormick, who rated over 1,800 athletes in the class. ASGR members can log in and view the complete updated rankings at www.ASGR.info.

Here is a quick look at the ASGR Super Six for 2014 along with a quick comment from McCormick:

1- A’ja Wilson (Uncommitted): “She is a long, athletic lefty who could play all five positions. She has those types of skills. A’ja is just special. They have some top schools, but they are going to keep looking and talking to schools. ”

2- Gabby Williams (UConn): “Gabby is another very versatile player. She has tremendous athletic ability, and she can do it all on the court. It only takes you a couple of minutes to recognize Gabby’s talent level. She is recovering from an ACL injury so she didn’t play over the summer, but hopefully she will be back at full speed.”

3- Kelsey Mitchell (Ohio State): “Kelsey is a quick, strong, left-handed guard. She is a great passer, but it is her scoring that makes her special. She can hit the long three or the pull-up jumper, and she can attack the rim. She also loves to have the ball at the end of a tight game.”

4- Brianna Turner (Notre Dame): “She is athletic and long, and she could probably play the three, four or five. She can compete in the paint, she can hit the three, and she can take the ball coast-to-coast. She will make an immediate impact in South Bend.”

5- Gabby Green (California): “Gabby is another great athlete with a long, strong body. She has a great basketball IQ, and she can act like a point forward. She is also a great defender. She just has an all-around game.”

6- Sadie Edwards (UConn): “Sadie is an athletic combo guard who is just great off the bounce. She can handle the ball and attack the rim, or she can use her pull-up jumper. She has worked hard to refine her skills, and she has become a complete player.”