Illinois, Wisconsin Look To The Future With Top 150 Recruits

Every team is focused on their next game right now, but its easy to start thinking about next year following the early signing period. Two Big Ten teams, Wisconsin and Illinois, are both working through the building process with relatively new coaches.

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.

Illinois signed the nation’s No. 31 recruiting class according to ASGR. The group is highlighted by Chartice White, a 6-3 power forward who is listed as the No. 28 prospect in the country. Wisconsin signed just one player, 6-4 post Rosie Gambino.

“At Illinois, I think Matt Bollant really has that headed in the right direction,” said ASGR analyst Bret McCormick. “They are going to have a strong roster next year with a nice group of veterans and younger players, and I think they are just one recruiting class away from challenging the top teams in the Big Ten. They will lose their top scorer, Amber Moore, after this season, but they will have three starters coming back who will be seniors. Plus, they have a talented six player freshman class right now. Even with that talent returning, Chatrice White will compete for a starting job next year, and Amarah Coleman could work her way into the backcourt rotation next year as a freshman.

“Wisconsin is working to slowly build up their roster. They are going to lose their top two players after this year when Taylor Wurtz and Morgan Paige graduate, but they will have three veteran starters back in Dakota White, Michala Johnson and Jacki Gulczynski. That will give them a solid nucleus, but they will need to develop support for those three. Gambino could figure into that mix. It’s not easy to recruit student-athletes to Wisconsin.”

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.”