Miami & FSU Will Be Ready For Expanding ACC

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 ACC teams, Florida State and Miami, will head into the 2014-15 campaign with optimism after they signed Top 30 recruiting classes.

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.

Florida State signed the nation’s No. 14 recruiting class according to ASGR. The group is highlighted by Shakayla Thomas, a 6-0 wing forward who is listed as the No. 14 prospect in the country. Miami signed the No. 29 class, with power forward Ashley Jones (No. 17 JUCO) and center Erykah Davenport (No. 87) leading the way.

“Florida State will lose their top scorer and rebounder, Natasha Howard, next year, so they will have something of a youth movement,” said ASGR analyst Bret McCormick. “They will have  a strong nucleus back next year with rising junior Morgan Jones, and rising sophomores Brittany Brown and Ivey Slaughter. I think Thomas will be able to earn serious playing time, and Chania Ray (No. 95) is another freshman to be who should contribute.

“Miami will have their top three scorers back next year. Caprice Dennis, Keyona Hayes and Suriya McGuire are all proven offensive threats. I also think they are going to get an important contribution in the frontcourt from three of their new additions — Ashley Jones, Erykah Davenport and Khalia Prather. That will give them a strong rotation, but it’s going to be tough competing in the fully expanded ACC next 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.”