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.
USC: Kaneisha Horn, No. 2 (Alabama Transfer), 6-1, F; Alexis Lloyd, No. 50 (Virginia Tech Transfer), 5-9, G; Chyanne Butler, No. 99, 5-5, PG; Amy Okonkow, No. 122, 6-1, PF.
McCormick on the Trojans: “Horn and Lloyd are wings who were both Top 50 recruits coming out of high school. Butler is a very skilled player with deep three-point range, and she knows the game. Okonkwo is a big strong player who has the ability to step outside. I think she is something of a sleeper prospect.”
Michigan State: Jasmine Lumpkin, No. 23, 6-0, WF; Alexis Gussert, No. 59, 6-0, WF.
McCormick on the Spartans: “Lumpkin is a freaky athlete with tremendous potential. She is long, she is a leaper, and she is great in the open court. Gussert is a very skilled guard who can pass and shoot, and she is a very high basketball IQ.”
Pittsburgh: Stasha Carey, No. 77, 6-3, PF; Naje Gibson, No. 132, 6-0, PF; Aysia Bugg, No. 146, 5-9, SG.
McCormick on the Panthers: “Carey is a skilled, aggressive player who is a good pick up. She will have an immediate impact. Gibson is a good athlete with size. Bugg is a scorer with three-point shooting range.”
Marquette: Kenisha Bell, No. 61, 5-9, PG; Shantelle Valentine, No. 149, 6-3, PF; Ta’Kendra Tia Elbert, No. 184, 5-6, PG.
McCormick on the Golden Eagles: “Bell and Elbert are from the same AAU program in Minnesota. Bell is an explosive athlete who can handle the ball and pass well. Elbert is a very athletic true point guard. Valentine is something of a sleeper prospect out of Canada. She is a great athlete, and I think she will surprise some people.”
Tennessee: Alexa Middleton, No. 39, 5-9, PG; Kortney Dunbar, No. 97, 6-1, WF.
McCormick on the Lady Vols: “Middleton is a Tennessee native who is very fundamental. She shoots the ball well, and she is a hard nosed competitor who knows how to win. Dunbar has unbelievable shooting range. She is a ‘maker,’ not just a shooter.”
West Virginia: Breana McDonald, No. 25 (Georgia Tech Transfer), 6-0, WF; Tyara Warren-Cox, No. 121, 5-8, SG; Dominique Simpson, No. 137, 5-9, SG.
McCormick on the Mountaineers: “They have a commitment from Georgia (McDonald), Texas (Warren-Cox) and Florida (Simpson). McDonald is a great athlete who will fit into Mike Carey’s system. Warren-Cox is an attacking combo guard who has a good feel for the game. Simpson is coming back from a knee injury, and she has a good skill set and three-point range.”