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.
Indiana: No. 111, Tyra Buss, 5-7, PG; No. 283, Maura Muensterman, 5-11, PF; No. 286, Amanda Cahill, 6-1, WF; No. 446, Jessica Walter, 5-10, SG; NR (Valparaiso Transfer), Tabitha Geardot, 5-11, F.
McCormick on the Hoosiers: “Tyra is a talented player who can score, but she is also an excellent distributor who should contribute as a freshman. Maura is a fundamental three-four player who has range. Amanda is the daughter of a coach, and she plays that way. She could play a number of positions, and she knows the game. Jessica is a combo guard who is an excellent three-point shooter. Tabitha is a solid all-around skilled wing player.”
Virginia: No. 26, Mikayla Venson, 5-7, PG; No. 33, Aliya Huland-El, 6-1, WF; No. 70, Lauren Moses, 6-1, PF.
McCormick on the Cavaliers: “Mikayla is a point guard who will make an immediate impact with her athleticism and advanced skill set. Aliya is a great athlete with size, and she could play a number of positions. Lauren is a strong athlete who can score against contact inside. Just a tough, hard-nosed kid.”
Hofstra: No. 96, Ashunae Durant, 5-8, SG; NR, Olivia Askin, 5-6, PG.
McCormick on the Pride: “Ashunae is a good get for Hofstra. She is a tremendous athlete with great leaping ability, and she can score in a number of ways. Olivia is a point guard with a feel for the game, but she is also a very good shooter.”
Mississippi State: No. 40, Victoria Vivians, 6-1, WF; No. 167, Kayla Nevitt, 5-8, SG; No. 243, Morgan William, 5-5, PG; No. 491, Blair Schaefer, 5-8, SG.
McCormick on the Bulldogs: “Victoria is a high-profile in-state recruit. She is a tremendous athlete who has been a prolific scorer. She could be bound for the WNBA down the road. Kayla is a wiry, athlete combo guard who knows how to attack the rim. Morgan an explosive athlete with a very high basketball IQ, and she is creative on the offensive end. Blair is (head coach) Vic’s daughter, and she is an intelligent, hard-nosed player who does it all well.”
Army: No. 249, Jahla Osborne, 6-1, C; NR, Nicole Heavirland, 5-8, PG; NR, Isabel McMahon, 5-5, PG; NR, Destinee Morris, 5-8, G; NR, Daizjah Morris, 5-9, G.
McCormick on the Black Knights: “Jahla is an important recruit, and she will have a major immediate impact. Very athletic, strong and aggressive. Nicole is a point guard with size, and she has a nice mid-range game. Izzy is a smaller point guard who really understands the game, and she knows to involve everyone. The Morris twins are both off guards with high motors. Daizjah loves to attack the basket and gets to the free throw line. Destinee is another good athlete, and she can score inside or outside.”
Northwestern: No. 229, Maya Jonas, 6-2, WF; No. 349, Alexis Glasgow, 5-11, SG.
McCormick on the Wildcats: “Maya is a strong player with size and an all-around game. She could play the two, three or four spots. Alexis is a big shooting guard who knows how to play the game. She can put it on the floor, but her calling card is her three-point shot.”
Winthrop: NR, Nuba Jackson, 5-8, G; NR, Naima Jackson, 5-8, G.
McCormick on the Eagles: “The Jackson twins are both quality recruits. Nuba is a quick athlete who attacks the lane and plays good defense. Naima is another explosive athlete, and she can knock down the three.”
UCF: N0. 245, Nyala Shuler, 5-10, WF; No. 714 (Indiana State transfer), Makenzi Reasor, 6-2, PF.
McCormick on the Knights: “Nyala is local recruit who is a skilled athlete. She can score inside or outside. Makenzi is a three-four player with good fundamentals in the post or on the perimeter.”