Who Is Moving Up The Recruiting Ladder?



Coach Jim Flanery of Creighton has the Blue Jays flying high. Photo by Eric Francis.

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.

 

    Creighton: Kylie Brown, No. 200, 6-3, PF; Jade Owens, No. 310, 5-6, PG; Sydney Lamberty, No. 321, 5-10, PG; Bailey Norby, No. 465, 6-1, PF; Mya Mellman, NR, 5-8, PG.

    McCormick on the Blue Jays: “Creighton came up big in Minnesota, with three commitments from that state. This is a strong class for their move to the Big East. I think Brown will have an immediate impact in the post for Creighton.”

 

    Xavier: Marquia Tuner, No. 97, 5-7, PG; Imani Partlow, No. 162, 6-0, PF; Kendall Fincher, No. 165, 5-11, SG.

    McCormick on the Musketeers: “This is a very good class with three players who will help lift the program as they move to the Big East. Turner and Fincher are midwest kids who are a good fit for the program. Turner should have an immediate impact, and Fincher is an effective shooter. Partlow is a local get who is a beast on the inside.”

 

    Florida Atlantic: Rolonda Hayes, No. 147, 5-6, PG; Danneal Ford, No. 466, 5-9, CG; Malia Kency, No. 526, 5-5, PG; Alison Gorrell, Wyoming Transfer, 5-10, G.

    McCormick on the Owls: “This group will give them help in the backcourt as they transition to Conference USA. The headliner is Rolonda Hayes. This kid will make her mark as a freshman. She is a great athlete with quality skills. I think Florida Atlantic got a steal with her.”

 

    Elon: Shaylen Burnett, No. 198, 5-8, SG; Essence Baucom, UAB Transfer, No. 442, 5-5, PG; Emily Sasser, NR, 6-0, G.

    McCormick on the Phoenix: “Burnett was a top-flight recruit until she hurt her knee, and she has been working her way back. She is an attacking guard who knows how to score. Baucom is a good, quick point guard who knows the game.”

 

    Delaware: Destiny Brown, Baylor Transfer, No. 88, 5-10, G; Makeda Nicolas, No. 211, 6-2, PF; Chastity Taylor, No. 216, 5-10, WF; Alexis Sears, No. 306, 6-2, PF.

    McCormick on the Blue Hens: “Destiny Brown will be an impact transfer. She is a good athlete and she was a great high school scorer. Nicolas is a very athletic forward who had a very good summer. Sears is more of a true post, while Taylor is an athletic player who can score inside or on the perimeter.”

 

    Toledo: Brenae Harris, Michigan Transfer, No. 267, 5-10, G; Michaela Rasmussen, No. 311, 6-2, PF; Mikaela Boyd, NR, 5-6, G; Nancy Kessler, NR, 6-3, C; Lindsay Dorr, NR, 6-2, C; Jada Woody, NR, 6-0, WF.

    McCormick on the Rockets: “Harris is an explosive athlete who can also hit the deep three. She should be a big scorer for Toledo. They also added some good size. Rasmussen who is very skilled, and she can score inside with either hand and step out to the arc. Kessler is from Canada, while both Rasmussen and Dorr are from Minnesota.”