2018 WBB - HoopGurlz (ESPN) recruit rankings

[DorchesterGamecock]

UPDATE: ESPN #15 overall, Elizabeth Balogun, released a long list of schools she's still considering and South Carolina is among them..

South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, FSU, LSU, Auburn, Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Ohio State, Vanderbilt and Rutgers.

[DorchesterGamecock]

UPDATE: May 2017 - ESPN updated their hoopgurlz rankings. I've updated the rankings here as well. The number next to the '#' is their new ranking. The number in the parenthesis is their old ranking, if that number is red then they fell in the rankings and green means they rose in the rankings.

[DorchesterGamecock]

UPDATE: Rhyne Howard, #33 in the class for ESPN Hoopgurlz, has narrowed her list to South Carolina, Kentucky and Purdue.

Georgia Tech, Florida (her mother's alma mater) and NC State were eliminated.

[DorchesterGamecock]

Originally Posted by DorchesterGamecock

UPDATE: Rhyne Howard, #33 in the class for ESPN Hoopgurlz, has narrowed her list to South Carolina, Kentucky and Purdue.

Georgia Tech, Florida (her mother's alma mater) and NC State were eliminated.

Committed to Kentucky a few hours ago.

Congrats to her.

[EAtMoRTaYtErz]

Missed out on a good athlete that would help us with our length defensively. But really what we need our some very good outside shooters.

[FLgamecockJAX]

Originally Posted by EAtMoRTaYtErz

Missed out on a good athlete that would help us with our length defensively. But really what we need our some very good outside shooters.

Absolutely! Very good outside shooters that are no scared to shoot!

[allnet43]

Originally Posted by JDuro

Took a screenshot of the ladies at today's softball game where Dawn threw out the 1st pitch. Don't recognize the girl surrounded by A'ja, Alexis, and Kiki. Wonder if anybody else does. She may be the recruit visiting this weekend.

After looking at this picture for some time now and comparing it to pics on line, I feel pretty sure that the girl in question who is sitting directly behind A'ja (next to Kiki and in front of Alexis) is Morgan Jones. A 6'2" guard from Our Lady of Mercy HS in Georgia rated #27 and not Tori McCoy as some folks think. If you google "Morgan Jones basketball" and look at the pic of her in a USA shirt I think you'll see what I mean. Just SPECULATION on my part but I think I'm on to something as all the coaches follow her.............if that's who it is she can ball!

[AmonRa777]

Originally Posted by allnet43

After looking at this picture for some time now and comparing it to pics on line, I feel pretty sure that the girl in question who is sitting directly behind A'ja (next to Kiki and in front of Akexis) is Morgan Jones. A 6'2" guard from Our Lady of Mercy HS in Georgia rated #27 and not Tori McCoy as some folks think. If you google "Morgan Jones basketball" and look at the pic of her in a USA shirt I think you'll see what I mean. Just SPECULATION on my part but I think I'm on to something as all the coaches follow her.............if that's who it is she can ball!

I agree with you...It surely is not Tori McCoy...It's either Morgan or Zarielle Green...Looks a little more like Morgan Jones to me...It's difficult to know...No staff is more secretive about recruiting than Coach Staley..Rumor is Jessica Shepard is the only underclass transfer Dawn is interested in...There is so much top tier talent in the 2018 class, she doesn't want to diminish her number of available scholarships...In the 2018 class alone they love Nalyssa Smith(best hs player since A'ja), Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Aquira DeCosta, Zarielle Green, Elizabeth Balogun(1 of my favs), Catelyn Reese,...Those are the priorities...Don't know we will get them all..But we are in great shape with all 6...Right now we have room for 4 depending on what Shepard does...Jessica's father is rumored to want her to return to Nebraska

oops i forgot Destanni Henderson the best pg in 2018 class is already committed

[JDuro]

Originally Posted by allnet43

After looking at this picture for some time now and comparing it to pics on line, I feel pretty sure that the girl in question who is sitting directly behind A'ja (next to Kiki and in front of Akexis) is Morgan Jones. A 6'2" guard from Our Lady of Mercy HS in Georgia rated #27 and not Tori McCoy as some folks think. If you google "Morgan Jones basketball" and look at the pic of her in a USA shirt I think you'll see what I mean. Just SPECULATION on my part but I think I'm on to something as all the coaches follow her.............if that's who it is she can ball!

I agree there's a lot of resemblance between Morgan Jones and the young lady in the screen cap. I never saw the resemblance to Tori McCoy. Nice find!

https://prospectsnation.com/player/morgan-jones

http://www.espn.com/high-school/girl...er/_/id/216456

[DorchesterGamecock]

UPDATE: added #27 overall and #8 guard, Morgan Jones, to the offer list.

Been meaning to do that for a while now.. just got around to it.

[DorchesterGamecock]

That is NOT Zarielle Green. That is in fact Morgan Jones.. likely on an official visit.

[USCharleston2]

Originally Posted by DorchesterGamecock

That is NOT Zarielle Green. That is in fact Morgan Jones.. likely on an official visit.

Do you like our chances here Dorchester?

[DorchesterGamecock]

Originally Posted by USCharleston2

Do you like our chances here Dorchester?

I do. I think we'll take either Zay Green or Morgan Jones, whoever commits first.. I'm not sure we'll take both but it's possible. I think SC wants room for NaLyssa Smith and Nelson-Ododa.

I've only started doing research on Jones over the last few months after being alerted by one of the posters here (Truly Cocky), but she is quite the guard.. I think she's a little underrated by ProspectsNation.. her ESPNhoopgurlz ranking seems more appropriate. Jones and Green have similar styles of play that's why I don't think we'll take both... especially when you consider the number of guards we'll have on roster the next few years. If Green (who has SC in her top 5), elects to stay in state then I fully expect SC to turn it up a notch on Jones. But keep in mind.. SC is also in it for Elizabeth Balogun, another big guard (6'0/6'1) that can play that off guard/small forward wing position.. I feel good we'll get 1 of the 3 among Green, Jones or Balogun.. The reason I don't think we'll take more than one is because of who's currently on roster.. we just brought in Haley Troup (5'11, SG/PG), Bianca Jackson (6'0, SG/SF) and LeLe Grissett (6'2/6'3, SF/PF).. so there's a lot of talent at the wings for us, but then Grissett is big/strong/and so freakishly athletic that she can play the 2, 3, and the 4. So for 2018, all you need is 1 more wing..

[USCharleston2]

Originally Posted by DorchesterGamecock

I do. I think we'll take either Zay Green or Morgan Jones, whoever commits first.. I'm not sure we'll take both but it's possible. I think SC wants room for NaLyssa Smith and Nelson-Ododa.

I've only started doing research on Jones over the last few months after being alerted by one of the posters here (Truly Cocky), but she is quite the guard.. I think she's a little underrated by ProspectsNation.. her ESPNhoopgurlz ranking seems more appropriate. Jones and Green have similar styles of play that's why I don't think we'll take both... especially when you consider the number of guards we'll have on roster the next few years. If Green (who has SC in her top 5), elects to stay in state then I fully expect SC to turn it up a notch on Jones. But keep in mind.. SC is also in it for Elizabeth Balogun, another big guard (6'0/6'1) that can play that off guard/small forward wing position.. I feel good we'll get 1 of the 3 among Green, Jones or Balogun.. The reason I don't think we'll take more than one is because of who's currently on roster.. we just brought in Haley Troup (5'11, SG/PG), Bianca Jackson (6'0, SG/SF) and LeLe Grissett (6'2/6'3, SF/PF).. so there's a lot of talent at the wings for us, but then Grissett is big/strong/and so freakishly athletic that she can play the 2, 3, and the 4. So for 2018, all you need is 1 more wing..

Awesome! Thanks.

What are your thoughts on the loss of Coach McCray-Penson and her recruiting prowess? She's been great at recruiting and forming bonds with potential players & their families. Gonna miss the "special guests" tweets she would send out when recruits are on their visits. Do you think it will have an affect on players with us in their finals?

[DorchesterGamecock]

Originally Posted by USCharleston2

Awesome! Thanks.

What are your thoughts on the loss of Coach McCray-Penson and her recruiting prowess? She's been great at recruiting and forming bonds with potential players & their families. Gonna miss the "special guests" tweets she would send out when recruits are on their visits. Do you think it will have an affect on players with us in their finals?

Nikki was very instrumental in our recruiting.. especially when Dawn would have other obligations, Nikki was always there. But Dawn does A LOT of the "on the road" recruiting herself and she's the only one that actually extends offers to players AFTER she sees them in person. Boyer and McCray may go out scouting occasionally, but not as much as Dawn does. McCray keeps in touch with the recruits as much as she's allowed.. she's the one that calls/text them about their high school/AAU games, gives them motivation, and keeps SC on their mind. Dawn does some of this as well.. but McCray did A LOT of that.

It's definitely a loss, but I don't think it's a loss that's going to knock us out of contention for our targets. We'll see though. I think most recruits understand that even though McCray or Shmiel may end up being your position coach, you're actually playing for the head coach who is Dawn Staley.. so I'm sure a lot of them are interested in SC because of Staley and our program mostly.

[DorchesterGamecock]

UPDATE: ESPN Hoopgurlz #57 overall, Brinae Alexander, committed to Vanderbilt University today. Brinae received a lot of SC interest early on but we cooled off many months ago.. she even visited for last year's UConn home game.

Alexander is the 2nd player to commit to Vanderbilt today.. #22 player overall, Jordyn Cambridge, the #6 point guard in the class, also committed to Vanderbilt. Both announcing at the same time and both also being from Tennessee.. likely a coordinated attack.

[DorchesterGamecock]

UPDATE: top 30 player, Elizabeth Balogun, committed to Georgia Tech today.

[allnet43]

The girls in the 2018 class are slowly committing to schools, only 13 of the top 30 remain available. Still time for this to be our best class ever, but I'm starting to get a little anxious. I know we're in the running for several, but I would rest easy if some combination of NaLyssa, Aquira, Olivia, Zarielle or Morgan would commit. I'm good with what we have for next season; thinking longer term..........it's never easy!

[DorchesterGamecock]

Originally Posted by allnet43

The girls in the 2018 class are slowly committing to schools, only 13 of the top 30 remain available. Still time for this to be our best class ever, but I'm starting to get a little anxious. I know we're in the running for several, but I would rest easy if some combination of NaLyssa, Aquira, Olivia, Zarielle or Morgan would commit. I'm good with what we have for next season; thinking longer term..........it's never easy!

..and we're in the running for just about every single player remaining. LOL.. gotta think we'll get at least one or two. If we strike out that would be VERY bad.. but i dont think that happens.

[Ace Dilcock]

Originally Posted by allnet43

The girls in the 2018 class are slowly committing to schools, only 13 of the top 30 remain available. Still time for this to be our best class ever, but I'm starting to get a little anxious. I know we're in the running for several, but I would rest easy if some combination of NaLyssa, Aquira, Olivia, Zarielle or Morgan would commit. I'm good with what we have for next season; thinking longer term..........it's never easy!

Relax. We have the same advantage that Clemson has in football recruiting - we da champs. We also have a super coach with name recognition and the best fan support in the game.

I would think that some of these recruits are not committing to us because we either backed off, were not making them a priority or were slow playing them. If the 13 players had scratched us off the list, then it would be panic time. But if we are still at the top of their lists, it will be a great year.