Hot Starting UNC & Syracuse Have Bright Futures

The 2013-14 season is in full swing, but its easy to start thinking about next year following the early signing period. The  All Star Girls Report recently released its national Top 150 for the Class of 2014, and we are taking that opportunity to look down the road and profile a number of programs. In this edition, we look at two ACC program that are off to quick starts this year. North Carolina opened at 11-2, while Syracuse won 11 of its first 12 games.

UNC signed just one recruit during the early signing period. Point guard Jamie Cherry was rated as the No. 52 recruit in the class according to ASGR, and her standing bumped the Tar Heels up to the No. 49 spot in the class rankings. Syracuse’s class was listed at No 52, and it included Vanderbilt transfer Maggie Morrison plus prep signees Danielle Minott (No. 129) and Amber Witherspoon (No. 209).

“The sky is the limit in Chapel Hill the next couple of years,” said ASGR analyst Bret McCormick. “They do not have a senior on their roster, and they were starting four freshmen and a sophomore. They have four double figure scorers on their team right now, and that group includes three freshmen (Diamond DeShields, Stephanie Mavunga and Allisha Gray) and a sophomore (Xylina McDaniel). Jamie Cherry will be a nice addition, but I’m not sure how much court time she will get because they are so stacked.

“Syracuse will lose two senior starters, but they will have Brittany Sykes and Brianna Butler back. That’s their top two scorers, so they will have a strong core back along with a number of other quality contributors. I think Maggie Morrison will come in and help immediately, and Danielle Minott might surprise some people in her freshman year.”

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.”