Power Programs Lure Top Talent



Duke’s Joanne McCallie is one of the coaches who is off to a strong start with the prep Class of 2014. Photo by Jon Gardiner, Duke Photography.

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.

    UCLA: Recee’ Caldwell, No. 7, 5-7, CG; Jordin Canada, No. 9, 5-7, PG; LaJahna Drummer, No. 10, 6-3, PF; Monique Billings, No. 17, 6-3, C; Kelli Hayes, No. 67, 6-1, SG.

    McCormick on the Bruins: “UCLA had commitments from two great backcourt recruits, and then they recently added to talented frontcourt players. Canada can run the show, Caldwell is a strong combo guard, and Billings is a great athlete with a great skill set in the post. Drummer is another talented 6-3 player.”

 

    Duke: Sierra Calhoun, No. 13, 6-1, SG; Azura Stevens, No. 25, 6-4, PF; Lynee Belton, No. 33, 6-3, PF; Erin Mathias, No. 114, 6-3, PF.

    McCormick on the Blue Devils: “Duke added three top-flight recruits. Calhoun is the headliner. She is a big, smooth scoring guard from Christ the King in New York, and she will have an immediate impact. I also think Stevens and Belton will contribute early.”

 

    Louisville: Myisha Hines-Allen, No. 16, 6-2, WF; Mariya Moore, No. 22, 6-0, WF; Ariana Freeman, No. 35, 5-11, SG; Sydney Brackemyre, No. 38, 6-1, WF.

    McCormick on the Cardinals: “They have added a lot of size and athleticism. I think the big prize with this class is Hines-Allen. She is a wing with great size, the type of player who could be headed to the WNBA down the road. She could play the two, three or four for Louisville, and she will have an immediate impact.”

 

    Georgia: Mackenzie Engram, No. 36, 6-2, PF; Jasmine Carter, No. 83, 5-8, SG; Haley Clark, No. 138, 5-9, PG; Pachiyaanna Roberts, No. 173 (Syracuse Transfer), 5-11, F.

    McCormick on the Bulldogs: “Engram is a strong athlete who should flourish in Andy Landers’ system. Then they brought in two local kids — Carter and Clark — who should be productive, and a transfer who is from Powder Springs, Ga., who is coming home.”

 

    Purdue: Briana Horrocks, No. 88, 6-4, C; Erica Moore, No. 101, 6-1, PF.

    McCormick on the Boilermakers: “Horrocks is a long athlete who is good in the low post. She has good footwork and she can score around the basket. Moore is a good, strong athlete with more of a face-up game and good shooting range.”

 

    Oklahoma: Peyton Little, No. 24 (Texas A & M Transfer), 5-11, G; Gabrielle Ortiz, No. 29, 5-6, PG; Lanesia Williams, NR, 5-7, PG.

    McCormick on the Sooners: “Little is a great pickup. She is a fundamental player with a high basketball IQ, and she fits the Oklahoma system. Ortiz is a strong, aggressive combo guard with three-point shooting range. I think she will have an immediate impact. Williams is a solid, athletic point guard.”