Louisville Pushing UConn For No. 1 Recruiting Class

The All Star Girls Report has released its updated rankings for the Class of 2015, and two special perimeter players are leading the way. Katie Samuelson is a 6-3 wing from California, and Asia Durr is a 5-10 shooting guard out of Georgia.

“We have Samuelson at No. 1 with Durr at No. 2, but they are both outstanding players,” said ASGR analyst Bret McCormick. “Some services have Durr at No. 1 and Samuelson at No. 2, but in the end they are both phenomenal players. They will both have an immediate impact in college, and they will both end up in the WNBA.”

In general, the Class of 2015 is characterized as being top heavy.

“The top part of this class is very strong. They have a lot of impact type players through the Top 30 or so,” McCormick said. “Once you get farther down the list, there is a more balance. When you look at those players, it all depends on what a program needs, and how a particular player fits into a system.”

Subscribers can log on to the database at subscriber login at top of page. Ratings and player notes are included from veteran analyst McCormick, providing programs from high majors to mid-majors with invaluable information.

When you look at recruiting classes, McCormick sees an equally tight race for the top slot. Samuelson has committed to Connecticut, and right now ASGR has the Huskies’ recruiting class at No. 1. However, Durr has verballed to Louisville, and the Cardinals have more depth than UConn. The Cardinals are set to sign five players from the national Top 50.

“They have five kids, and I think they helped themselves at every position. This class is going to move them up the ladder a little more,” noted McCormick. “Asia Durr is very close to Samuelson, and she will have an immediate impact. Taja Cole is an explosive, athletic point guard, and Erin DeGrate is an excellent low post player. Brianna Jones is a scorer, and Samantha Fuehring is a fundamental inside-outside player.”

While UConn and Louisville own the top two slots, Notre Dame isn’t far behind. The Fighting Irish has three Top 20 commitments, with No. 4 Arike Ogunbowale leading the list.

“They got Arike Ogunbowale late, and that pushed them way up,” McCormick explained. “This class will keep them competitive with UConn. Arike could definitely start immediately. She is talented and she has a college-ready body. Marina Mabrey is an excellent shooter, and Ali Patberg is a very good true point guard.”

Tennessee’s fourth-ranked class is paced by former North Carolina standout Diamond DeShields, who transferred after one year in Chapel Hill.

“This class should push Tennessee into the Final Four. Diamond DeShields has already proven that she can average 20 points per game at the college level. Te’a Cooper is an athletic scoring guard, and Jamasha MeMe Jackson is a very athletic wing,” McCormick said.

Duke lands in the No. 5 slot with a quartet of Top 50 recruits.

“Duke will be adding a lot of firepower,” McCormick said. “Angela Salvadores is an international kid who can score, and she is very fundamentally sound. Haley Gorecki is a high IQ player who can do it all, and Faith Suggs will give them size and deep three range.”

In the Lone Star State, the Texas Longhorns’ class should help them continue their re-emergence.

“Lashann Higgs is a guard who can really score the basketball. Jordan Hosey is a strong, physical four player with a lot of potential. Christina Aborowa is a long athlete with a huge upside,” McCormick said.

The top class in the Big Ten belongs to Nebraska, with the Cornhuskers falling at No. 7 nationally.

“This is a very good class with good size,” McCormick said. “Jess Shepard is a phenomenal all-around player. At 6-3, she can do it all. She should be a starter from Day One.”

The No. 8 group will be heading to Baylor, where the Bears will benefit from the tremendous prep programs in their home state.

“Baylor did a great job with the Texas kids, especially in the backcourt,” noted McCormick. “Alexis Jones (a transfer from Duke) can really score, and she will probably enter the starting lineup when she becomes eligible.”

Penn State’s class may not have a huge star, but the Nittany Lions are bringing in a deep, talented group of players.

“This class has very good depth that should help Penn State compete for the Big Ten title,” McCormick said. “Brianna Banks (a transfer from UConn) is a combo guard who is coming back from a knee injury, and she should give them one very good season.”

Maryland, with the 10th-rated class, and No. 11 UCLA are on the opposite end of the spectrum. Both the Terps and the Bruins have just two commitments, but they are all Top 25 talents.

“Maryland got two very good players,” McCormick said. “Brianna Fraser is a great athlete who came on very strong this summer. Kiah Gillespie is a multi-positional player with skills. UCLA is getting Ashley Hearn, is a 6-4 four-five player with tremendous athleticism, and Kennedy Burke, who is an explosive wing who has the skills to play anywhere on the perimeter.”

Kentucky earned the 12th spot with a four-player class that has every prospect in the ASGR Top 80, while North Carolina is at No. 13 with three players in the Top 65.

“Kentucky got four good recruits,” McCormick said. “Batouly Camara is the headliner. She has a college-ready body and a very high motor. She could develop into something special. UNC is bringing in a lot of offensive firepower. Stephanie Watts is an athletic, relentless scorer who attacks the basket and hits the three.”

USC is at No. 14 thanks to the addition of Aliyah Mazyck, who is listed at No. 16 nationally. “Mazyck is a player people need to see. She is an unbelievable athlete who played very, very well this summer. She could start as a freshman,” McCormick predicted.

Missouri is stepping up its game in the SEC, and their 2015 class is rated at No. 15.

“Sophie Cunningham is a versatile 6-1 player who is fundamentally sound, and she is a perfect fit for their system. Cierra Porter came back strong from a knee injury this summer,” noted McCormick.

Pac-12 rivals California and Stanford are next at No. 16 and 17.

“Cal got a deep, strong class. Kristine Anigwe stands out. She is a tremendous athlete who can jump and run. She just keeps getting better, and she will be tough to contend with on the block,” McCormick said. “For Stanford, Marta Sniezek is a true point guard with unbelievable court vision and a great feel for the game. Alannah Smith is an Australian player who should also contribute immediately. She is a sleeper who fits their system.”

Purdue and Iowa State have the next two slots, with both programs added very strong classes with numbers.

“Purdue is getting a versatile, deep class that is led by Dominque McBryde,” McCormick said. “McBryde has very good skills, but she is also a blue collar type with a motor that doesn’t stop. The headliner for Iowa State is T T Starks. She is an ultra-athletic, strong kid who can score the basketball in a lot of different ways. They also added two solid kids who fit their style of play.”

The Top 20 is completed by the surging program at Wake Forest.

“Wake Forest is steadily improving, and this is an important step for them,” McCormick said. “Destini Walker is a strong, athletic scorer, and Ariel Stephenson is a very similar type of player.”

Big Ten rivals Michigan State and Ohio State both connected with Top 100 prospects. The Spartans have commitments from three elite players, while the Buckeyes have two commitments.

“Kalabrya Gondrezick will run the show from the point for Michigan State in the future,” McCormick siad. “She is a competitive gym rat who gets everyone involved. Victoria Gaines is a great athlete with an inside-outside game.

“For Ohio State, Kaylan Pugh is a strong athlete who is ready to contribute. She loves to go coast-to-coast and attack the basket. Theresa Ekhelar is a 6-6 center who is developing into a big-time player.”

The Big Ten run continues at No. 23, where Michigan is set to sign five athletes from the Top 150.

“Michigan got five players who should move their program forward,” McCormick said. “Naomi Davenport is coming off a great summer. She can score in a lot of different ways.”

At NC State, Coach Wes Moore will continue the building process with a five-player class that is rated at No. 24.

“This another very deep class with athleticism, size and scorers,” McCormick said. “Jonquanae Cole is the top-rated prospect. They needed a good post player, and they got one.”

Georgia Tech took the No. 25 spot with two players who are ranked in the national Top 100.

“Martine Fortune is a great athlete and shot blocker in the post. Ciani Cryor is a smooth point guard who can make a team go,” commented McCormick.

West Virginia (No. 26), Alabama (No. 27) and Colorado (No. 28) have all garnered commitments from four talented athletes.

“West Virginia is getting four good players who fit their style of play,” McCormick said. “Tynice Martin is a long, explosive athlete who is the kind of player they really like.

“Alabama’s class should provide immediate help for the Tide. Shaquara Wade is a long, athletic wing who is great off the bounce. Breanna Hayden (a transfer from Baylor) is a versatile, athletic perimeter player.”

“Colorado also had a good class, with Alexis Robinson at the top. She is a scoring guard who can really elevate. Kennedy Leonard will join Robinson to give them a great backcourt in the future.”

The Syracuse class is anchored by Davida Dale, the No. 40 prospect in the country.

“Dale should excel in Syracuse’s system,” noted McCormick. “She is a tremendous athlete who can really score, but she also has a very good ability to find the open player and deliver the basketball.”

Virginia is ranked at No. 30, followed by Arkansas at No. 31. Both programs gained commitments from recruits in the Top 50.

“Virginia is getting a good three-player class. Mone’ Jones is a 6-3 player who could play in the post or as a wing,” McCormick said. “Arkansas has a five-player class that is loaded with athleticism, and it is topped by Jordan Danberry. She is a blue chipper out of their backyard. She could be a program changer for them.”

Rutgers and Arizona State are next, with the Scarlet Knights and Sun Devils each getting three strong recruits.

“Aliyah Jeune will be a scoring machine for Rutgers, and she can do it in a lot of ways,” McCormick said. “Victoria Harris is a strong, athletic post with a high motor, and her stock really rose over the summer. For Arizona State, Sabrina Haynes is a strong, physical combo guard who can score, and Armani Hawkins has quickness and shooting range.”

The Top 35 is completed by a pair of schools that have just one commitment, but in both cases it is an outstanding recruit.

“TCU got Jordan Moore, a 6-4 player coming off a great summer. She is long, athletic and strong, and she will be able to score inside,” McCormick said. “Washington is getting Deja Strother, who is a force on the block. She is a strong player who can finish against contact.”

Here is a look at the complete ASGR Top 350: