Women’s basketball recruiting: Predicting where the top prospects will sign
National signing week is Nov. 13-20, and there are six prospects inside the espnW HoopGurlz Top 10 who are still undecided on their college futures.
With a little more than a month away from decision time, here is a look at where they might end up when they announce their college picks.
W Angel Reese
St. Frances Academy, Baltimore, Maryland
espnW HoopGurlz rank: 2
In the mix: USC, Maryland, Syracuse
The No. 2 overall player has taken visits to Maryland, Southern California, Tennessee and Syracuse. Reese has made a steady climb up the rankings due to her consistency to deliver. She leads her team and dominates each game from the opening tip, and the team that lands her gets a true competitor.
Reese canceled her visit to South Carolina and declined on Tennessee, meaning she narrowed down her choice to three schools. She has said talking to a head coach from each school is important to her and that her final three schools “have been recruiting me since the eighth grade.”
The 6-foot-3 Reese has professional aspirations. “I recognize what teams are putting their players in the WNBA,” she said. “I want to go to a school that is established and can win a national championship while I am there.”
Prediction: Maryland. It has six players who are currently in the WNBA Finals, and the Terrapins had the fifth-ranked recruiting class in 2019.
PG Caitlin Clark
Dowling Catholic, Des Moines, Iowa
espnW HoopGurlz rank: 4
In the mix: Iowa, Iowa State, Notre Dame
In the backcourt-rich Class of 2020, Clark is rather unassuming. She makes plays with precision and will bring her high basketball IQ to her next stop. At 5-11, she is a crafty guard who keeps the defense honest with the ability to score in bunches. Family is also important to her, and close proximity to home will factor in her decision.
Prediction: Notre Dame. The Irish have had great success in the last few years in landing great guards. Clark is an ideal fit based on her knowledge of the game and her ability to knock down shots from the 3-point line.
C Kamilla Cardosa
Hamilton Heights, Chattanooga, Tennessee
espnW HoopGurlz rank: 5
In the mix: Mississippi State, Ohio State, South Carolina, Syracuse
The top-ranked center in the nation by way of Brazil is at a crossroads. Having already visited Mississippi State and Ohio State, Cardosa still needs a test score to become eligible to compete on the big stage. Her remaining visits include Syracuse on the weekend of Oct. 18 and South Carolina on the weekend of Oct. 25. The stakes are high for those seeking her talents.
And yes, she is as talented as any other post player in recent memory. With her 6-6 frame, she patrols the lane, swats shots, dominates with her feathery touch in the paint and has the ability to run the floor better than most guards. There are prospects who emerge only once every so often with Cardosa’s skill set.
Prediction: Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are in the mix each year for an NCAA title and have success recruiting those players from the South. It also helps that Madison Hayes (espnW HoopGurlz No. 29), Cardosa’s travel ball teammate, is also committed to Mississippi State. Cardosa immediately falls into head coach Vic Schaefer’s game plan and defensive scheme. She is a more skilled high school prospect than another Mississippi State great, Teaira McCowan.
PG Diamond Johnson
Sts. Neumann & Goretti, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
espnW HoopGurlz rank: 6
In the mix: NC State, Boston College, South Carolina, Rutgers, Virginia
A dynamic point guard, Johnson is a prolific scorer with a powerful compact frame. Johnson almost bullies her way to wherever she wants on the court and gives consistent results. While she has streaky offensive firepower with deep range, perhaps her best attribute is her ability to distribute the ball in traffic. Johnson will visit Virginia from Oct. 18 to 20 to complete her fifth official visit.
Prediction: South Carolina. She has a Philly connection with coach Dawn Staley, one of the great point guards in women’s basketball with a national title under her belt. Plus, Staley has the top-ranked recruiting class in 2019.
PG Sarah Andrews
MacArthur, Irving, Texas
espnW HoopGurlz rank: 7
In the mix: Florida State, Texas, Mississippi State, Louisville, Baylor
In a class of high-end point guards, Andrews is battle tested. She’s fought through a wrist injury and hasn’t missed a beat. She has big-time range from deep, the ability to deliver off the bounce and consistently make pinpoint passes. Andrews is right at the top of the class for best guard.
She has already visited Florida State, Texas and Mississippi State, and she has visits at Louisville and Baylor lined up for Oct. 17 and Oct. 31, respectively. “I’ll make my decision on Nov. 13, maybe the Wednesday before,” she said.
“My relationship with the head coach is important, and being a part of a family is key to my decision,” she added. “Each team I am visiting needs a point guard, too. So, I want to play early, compete and win at a high level. And I want that coach to make me a better person.”
Prediction: Baylor. Andrews is Texas born and bred, and her teammate, Hannah Gusters (espnW HoopGurlz No. 9), is already committed to the defending champion Lady Bears.
G Hailey Van Lith
Cashmere, Rock Island, Washington
espnW HoopGurlz rank: 8
In the mix: UCLA, Louisville, Oregon, Baylor
A member of the USA 3×3 team in 2019, Van Lith is already tested on the international stage. She is a crafty lefty with the ability to find the rim with high percentage looks, both in the midrange and from deep.
Having visited UCLA and Louisville so far, Van Lith has Oregon and Baylor also lined up to finish up her officials. “I’m wide open in my decision,” she said. “No one leads. But my plan is to play professionally.”
Prediction: Louisville. The Cardinals had some success in the past with a guard from the Northwest named Shoni Schimmel. Van Lith is a similar player.