In general, it’s difficult to judge a basketball program after just a few years. In the case of FBC United, it’s not.
Since starting play in 2017 with Alfred “Mo’’ Motton as the Director, the Atlanta-based program has churned out 10 McDonald’s All-Americans and 11 Jordan Brand Classic players. If you want specific names, how about two that show evidence of the program’s quick rise to national prominence?
Let’s start with Rhyne Howard. She was ranked No. 8 in the nation by All-Star Girls Report in the Class of 2018. She now is a senior guard at the University of Kentucky and has established herself as one of the nation’s top women’s players. Howard also is expected to be one of the top picks in the 2022 WNBA Draft. Then, there’s Raven Johnson, another big-name player at a big-name school. Johnson, ranked No. 4 in ASGR’s Class of 2021, landed at the University of South Carolina.
Johnson was getting significant playing time this year before suffering a knee injury that will sideline her for the rest of this season. But Johnson, who won the Naismith Player of the Year Award as a high school senior, is expected to make a full recovery and become a dominant player at South Carolina.
Howard and Johnson are two shiny ornaments for FBC United, but the best may be yet to come. FBC United’s roster for the 2022 Girls Under Armour Association circuit is outstanding when it comes the Class of 2023.
The Classes of 2024 and ’26 are simply off the charts. The 2023 class features two players in ASGR’s top 20 and three in the top 50. The Class of 2024 has three players ranked in the top 10, including the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect, according to ASGR. FBC United also has the nation’s top prospect for the Class of 2026.
Let’s start with the Class of 2023. Reniya Kelly, who already committed to the University of North Carolina, is ranked No. 13 by ASGR.
“She’s truly a facilitator type of point guard,’’ Motton said. “She can shoot and she can defend. But the biggest thing about her is the way she can run a team.’’
“She makes everyone around her better,’’ Post player Essence Cody, who is 6-3, is rated No. 18 by ASGR.
“Essence is a very versatile player and a very good rebounder,’’ Motton said. “I see her as more of a stretch forward in college.’’
Motton said Courtney Ogden (ranked No. 41 in the Class of 2023 by ASGR) had a particularly strong summer in 2021. The 6-1 wing recently committed to Stanford.
“Courtney is a very versatile player, who can score from all over the place,’’ Motton said. As good as the Class of 2023 is, the 2024 recruits are the strength of this team.
ASGR has 6-2 power forward Joyce Edwards, from Rembert, S.C., as the top-ranked player in her class. “There’s no question she is one of the best players in the country,’’ Motton said. “She can defend all five positions. She’s a great rebounder. She runs the floor really well and she can score in traffic.’’
Not far behind Edwards is 5-5 point guard Jaloni Cambridge from Nashville, Tenn. She’s No. 3 in her class, according to ASGR.
“Her skill set? Well, her skill set is just winning,’’ Motton said. “She just knows how to play on both sides of the ball. She does it all. She’s a very special talent.’’
While Edwards and Cambridge may be the highest-rated players in the 2024 class, they’re not alone. FBC United also has two other players that are ranked in ASGR’s top 15 in the 2024 class.
Ella Hobbs, a 6-4 forward from Mooresville, N.C., is ranked No. 7. “Ella is a strong and physical presence on the inside,’’ Motton said. “She rebounds well and defends well. She runs the floor and she can finish in traffic.’’
Zamareya Jones, a 5-5 point guard from Greenville, N.C., is No. 14. (Jones) really came on strong at the end of the summer season,’’ Motton said. “She can really score and she’s just starting to emerge as a leader in her class.’’
But the FBC United player with the most upside could be the youngest member of the 2022 Under-17 team. That’s 6-4 post player Kelsi Andrews, who is ranked No. 1 in the Class of 2026 by ASGR.
“She’s the most talented young post I’ve had since I’ve been doing this,’’ Motton said. “She is miles ahead of kids her own age. She just needs to play against older kids and continue to get more physical. If she does that, she’ll be a high draft pick in the WNBA.’’