2017 G.T. WBB Recruiting, (3)Commits.

[Buzzforlife]

Daijah Jefferson
FORWARD
CLASS: 2017
90
SCOUTS GRADE

Hopewell, VA
HOMETOWN
Hopewell
HIGH SCHOOL
6-2
HEIGHT
—
WEIGHT
—
OVERALL RANK
16
POSITION RANK

STATUS
Verbal to Ga. Tech

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Taja Cummings
Lightening quick, finisher. Info. from ESPN W
POINT GUARD
CLASS: 2017
90
SCOUTS GRADE

Alpharetta, GA
HOMETOWN
St. Francis
HIGH SCHOOL
5-6
HEIGHT
—
WEIGHT
—
OVERALL RANK
15
POSITION RANK

STATUS
Verbal to Ga. Tech
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kierra Fletcher, 5'9". Guard.
Warren, Mi.(Cousino H.S.).
Detroit P-O-T-Y.
One Nation AAU.
#43 ASGR.
ESPN W. #51, 96 grade, 5-star recruit, position ranking:15th.


Prospects Nation #43:
https://prospectsnation.com/player/kierra-fletcher

 

[Buzzforlife]

More:
Tennessee Turkey Jamm-November 2014: Jet-quick floor-leader with separation speed in uptempo; consistent transition finisher; defends and converts in pressure; developing midrange game consistency. (Olson)

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2971548/taja-cummings

Ole Miss. had an in-home visit, 2015.
... Florida State, Illinois, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Oklahoma, and many more. ... Taja Cummings (5'4”; FBC Mo; 2017; St. Francis High School): On an AAU team.



Recognize the coach in the picture?:
https://asgrbasketball.com/2017-stars-will-lead-fbc-southeast-elite-in-nashville/

 

[Buzzforlife]

Chelsie Hall
POINT GUARD
CLASS: 2017
96
SCOUTS GRADE

Tampa, FL
HOMETOWN
Seffner Christian Academy
HIGH SCHOOL
5-7
HEIGHT
—
WEIGHT
16
OVERALL RANK
5
POSITION RANK
STATUS
Undeclared
CONSIDERING
Auburn Tigers, Florida Gators, South Florida Bulls, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Georgia Lady Bulldogs, Louisville Cardinals, Columbia Lions, Vanderbilt Commodores, Baylor Lady Bears, Miami Hurricanes

 

[Buzzforlife]

Taja Cummings - 2017 - 5'6 - Point Guard - St. Francis HS, (GA) - So when does braking a press looks so easy, ask Taja Cummings who made that happen this weekend at the Krossover Classic. She got off to a slow start last year because of a knee but Cummings looks very healthy now. Hard worker... Strong upper body... Ball handler... High IQ...

...from Bluestar Media:
Taja Cummings -2017 – 5-5 Point Guard – St. Francis Atlanta, Ga. – Handled the ball…Smooth hesitation dribble…Made good decisions…Three point stroke…Scrappy player….Good on ball defender…Patient and composed…Will only get better with time

....from Prospects Nation:
East Point, Ga.), FBC Motton – 2017 Taja Cummings
Players who may not meet the airport test are often undervalued in the untrained eyes of casual fans or observers. Cummings, who stands at 5-4, might be overlooked playing alongside of 6-4 center Kasiyahna Kushkituah and 6-foot wing Tylia Gillespie. Nevertheless, Cummings consistently sets the table for her teammates with her ball handling ability and is the engine for coach Alfred Motton’s team. With a strong build and quick first step, Cummings has the ability to create space and take the bump even if she is playing against bigger defenders. It is her basketball intelligence that is the most valuable asset while she runs the team. She routinely makes the right pass to get the ball to her teammates and can even create scoring opportunities with pinpoint passes. It was hard to overlook the energy that she provided on both ends of the floor and was a big reason why her team claimed the @JLHemingwayPSB championship on Sunday afternoon.

 

[GTJT622]

Thanks for the updates, mate. Welcome aboard to Taja!

Assuming CC is gone, with one unused ship and Kat being the only senior, we have room for 2 more, yes? This assumes everybody else is back and no attrition after this upcoming season (which is unlikely IMO so we likely will eventually have room for another).

 

[Buzzforlife]

13 are tied up of the 15(extracted CC, by default)for this coming season.
We only lose Kat. afterwards....add Cummings....correct, two left.

Watching these Grad. Trfs. go all around, makes me want a couple for next year.
What do you think?

 

[GTJT622]

Would love more freshmen...

5'7" PG Chelsea Hall - Tampa, FL
6'0" Wing Nyah Tate - Terry, MS
6'3" Post Loretta Kakala - Manteca, CA

...for instance.

 

[GTJT622]

If a grad transfer wants to roll in for next season to add depth, then great. I figure if they are transferring though, we'd probably have heard of it by now.

Potential depth chart for next year...

PG - this looks like it is Imani's job and if Cook is healthy, she will provide depth there

2G - I think Peresson starts out here and Pugh may eventually take over as the starter when she is eligible, though I think it is a time share...Antonia really came on during the stretch run to the season this past year and she is improving every season...her 3-pt shooting presence forces defenses to pay attention to her and she can be a game changer when she's on...Pan could also see time here with both her and Kat on the court at the same time

SF - Kat is the starter and team leader/captain...Pan and Howard should provide depth here

PF - O'Neil should be the starter and let's hope she is fully recovered from the knee...she started to show some positives signs of the old Z in February and March...still needs to work on better court awareness in the paint...I look for Fortune or Avram to provide depth here, though Z hopefully can log 30+ minutes a game and stay out of foul trouble to do it

C - Double-E is the starter with Guimaraes providing solid backup depth...will have to see on Diouf as she could emerge at either the 4 or 5

Keys:

-Health of Z and being a force...we are going to miss RR's rebounding

-Pan and Pugh becoming scoring threats on the perimeter and mid-range games...this should make up for the loss of consistent scoring contribution of Whiteside's departure

-Double-E being an offensive weapon...I already know Double-E will be one of the most active post players Tech fans will have seen on the defensive end and rebounding...she can and will drag defenders out to the elbow and fight for garbage baskets (think RR with better outside shooting capability, though less girth, more height, longer arms, and better quickness)

-Imani and Peresson continue to progress...they both showed great improvement in Year 2

-Kat The Captain...be that senior leader and take over the reins...develop that team chemistry, particularly with the newbies...can't think of a better young lady to do this...she sweats class, T-E-A-M, and bleeds gold

I am hopeful among Fortune, Howard, Avram, etc., that one of them steps up significantly and makes it very difficult for Coach Jo to keep off the court. Any contributions from Cook and Diouf in their first year are bonuses. The ACC isn't getting any easier.

 

[BornAJacket]

you guys are the best source on the interwebs for this information

 

[Buzzforlife]

you guys are the best source on the interwebs for this information

He is the Maven, I'm just another Raven. I say that Poe-litely!

 

[GTJT622]

Taja Cummings to Tech from Prospects Nation... https://prospectsnation.com/story/cummings-ga-tech

 

[BornAJacket]

Taja Cummings to Tech from Prospects Nation... https://prospectsnation.com/story/cummings-ga-tech

very nice!

 

[BornAJacket]

GTJT622, AFRJacket says hi. and regrets that he has misplaced your e-mail address. He didn't say anything about contacting him, but you may want to try.

 

[Buzzforlife]

 

[GTJT622]

Some rising senior local talents...

6'4" Post, Kasiyahna Kushkituah, Alpharetta St. Francis HS (4* ESPN, 5* Prospects Nation)... http://espn.go.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/189246/kasiyahna-kushkituah (teammate of Tech commit, Taja Cummings?)

6'2" Wing, Autumn Newby, Lawrenceville Archer HS (4* ESPN, 4.5* PN)... http://espn.go.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/189251/autumn-newby

5'8" Guard, Quanniecia Morrison, Powder Springs McEachern HS (4* ESPN, 4.5* PN)... http://espn.go.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/212830/quannecia-morrison

5'8" Guard, Mikayla Coombs, Norcross Wesleyan School (4* ESPN, 4* PN)... http://espn.go.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/189260/mikayla-coombs

 

[GTJT622]

Along with one local gal (Class of '19) who I have spoken of previously and is dear to our heart, some of the names in the Class of '17 listed above and some others will be participating at the USA Basketball U17 trials next week in Colorado Springs... http://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2016/04/35-accept-invitation-to-usa-womens-u17-trials.aspx

From the ATL area...

• Post - Kasiyahna Kushkituah from St. Francis HS ('17)
  
• Wing - Maya Dodson from St. Francis HS ('17)
• Guard - Mikayla Coombs from Wesleyan School ('17)
  
• PG - Jenna Brown from Lovett School ('18)
• Post - Olivia Nelson-Ododa from Winder-Barrow HS ('18)

You'd like to think we could garner interest from at least one (or preferably more) of these young ladies to Tech.

 

[GTJT622]

A new commit for 2017?

6'2" Daijah Jefferson from Hopewell, VA (just outside of Richmond)... http://espn.go.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/223051

PN bio: https://prospectsnation.com/player/daijah-jefferson

4-star wing per PN.

 

[Buzzforlife]

Nice find, and many thanks!
Happened on Sunday:

 

[Buzzforlife]

#7 Nationally(under Next Phenom):
http://www.nextsportsphenom.com/2017-Rankings

http://www.rvagamebreak.com/basketball/2015/11/30/preview-hopewell-girls/
http://www.fullcourt.com/prep/24869/2014-boo-williams-nike-invitational-tip-sheet

Interesting, she plays like Zaire, however three point range too. Could be a stretch 4 in college. Already at 6'3":
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/6788445/daijah-jefferson

http://www.roundballacademy.com/news_article/show/418197?referrer_id=489025

Freshman stats:
http://www.maxpreps.com/local/playe...363&ssid=3218665c-3480-43c1-8004-42713fd0fd98


Nike Nationals-July 2015: Athletic finesse-4 prospect with next level impact; quick-leaper, active on glass with length, wingspan; mobile in uptempo game; defends out of area; emerging offensive game consistency. (Olson)

John Lucas 40/40-September 2015: Explosively athletic interior prospect competes on glass; quick-leaper pounds glass, alters shots on defensive end of floor; improved offensive arsenal yields impact on next level. (Olson)

Notes
VHSL 2nd-team Group 3A All-State in 2015.

 

[GTJT622]

I count 15 shipped players for '17-'18 now (and that's without Cryor). The inn is now full for that season and focus shifts to '18-'19 class perhaps?

Shipped players and what their class designation will be in '17-'18...(assuming no redshirts)

Tilford Sr.
Cook So.
Cummings Fr.

Peresson Sr.
Pugh Jr.
Scott So.

Pan So.
Howard Jr.
Jefferson Fr.

O'Neil Sr.
Fortune Jr.
Avram Sr.

Edeferioka Sr.
Guimaraes Jr.
Diouf So.

 

[GTJT622]

I assume with the inn now full, we are no longer pursuing any '17 signees.

As FYI, Team USA U17 trials at Colorado Springs have been filtered down now to the 18 finalists for the 12 spots on the team. This was announced earlier today, Monday May 30. The 18 finalists will stay in Colorado this week to play a series of scrimmages against the U18's so the coaches can further cut to the final 12 (TBA Thursday, June 2nd).

One note, Austell GA St. Francis HS's 6'4" Kasiyahna Kushkituah who was trying out for the U17 team was moved to the list of 30 players invited to tryout for Team USA's U18 team... http://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2016/05/u17-finalists-announced.aspx

Along with our local gal up here in God's Country who made the top 18 finalists list (woohoo!), there are 3 others from the state of Georgia also in the mix this week... http://www.usab.com/womens/u17/roster.aspx

• Jenna Brown, 5'10" Guard, The Lovett School, Class of 2018
• Olivia Nelson-Ododa, 6'4" Post, Winder-Barrow HS, Class of 2018
• Maya Dodson, 6'1" Forward, St. Francis HS, Class of 2017 (assume we are not recruiting this young lady as we are out of ships)

 

[Buzzforlife]

We are not through with the 2017 class.

Best wishes to Ciani Cryor at Towson or wherever she decides to enroll next fall. Great to have a mom so unselfish and a sweet little baby boy.

 

[Buzzforlife]

Kierra Fletcher's Women's Basketball Recruiting Profile ....Height:5'9"....... Weight:150.......Age:16......Prim. PositionG ......Sec. Position:SG......Points/Game21.3 .......Free Throw %71?....Field Goal %43.......Assists/Game5.6

STATEMENT

Hi, my name is Kierra Fletcher and i'm a Junior at Cousino High School. I'm a straight A student with a current GPA of 3.972. I made the varsity basketball team as a freshman and it was a great experience for me. I started the season coming off the bench. After 4 games I became the starting point guard. Playing point guard at that level was a big adjustment, and as the season progressed I became comfortable at the point. I am a hard worker on both sides of the court. My coach has me guard the opposing teams best offensive player because of my defensive abilities. Offensively I can get to the basket and play through contact. At the end of the season I was awarded 1st team All County, All Defensive team, 1st team All East, All State Honorable Mention, Mac White MVP, 1st team Mac White Division, All Academic team, and was voted Offensive MVP by my team. My goal is to attend a Division 1 college and help their program win. I plan on doing this with a hard work ethic and advancing my overall skill level.

http://espn.go.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/222166

http://usatodayhss.com/2016/fletchers-magical-night-lifts-cousino-4939

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/h...3/19/warren-cousino-kierra-fletcher/82024222/

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/cousino-patriots-(warren,mi)/girls-basketball/videos.htm

 

[Buzzforlife]

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/n...roit-player-of-the-year-for-girls-basketball/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kierra Fletcher, 5-9, Jr., G, Warren Cousino

Fletcher averaged 23 points, 9.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and four steals to lead Cousino to its first Class A state championship. She consistently attacked the basket, getting to the line 230 times and converting on 71 percent of her free throws.

“Kierra is an amazing young lady who has a knack for splitting a double or triple team and still getting to the hoop,” coach Mike Lee said. “If she didn’t make the layup, she was going to get fouled.”

Fletcher has multiple Big Ten offers, including Minnesota and Illinois.

Michigan, Ga. Tech in hot pursuit. Look for her decision to come down to academics or proximity.

 

[GTJT622]

Team USA U17 announced... http://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2016/06/womens-u17-team-named.aspx

So proud of our young lady (a 15-yr old rising soph) locally who made the team, though not surprised at all considering UConn is all over her recruiting. From the ATL, there are 3 players who made the team who will head to Spain to compete for the FIBA world championships:

Jenna Brown, The Lovett School
Maya Dodson, St. Francis HS
Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Winder-Barrow HS

Would be nice if we could start keeping some of this talent in our own backyard at home.

 

[Buzzforlife]

Agreed on.

Speaking of good recruiters, check out CGH of NC St. and what they subscribe to(I believe CMJ already has the lifetime subscription package):

 

[Buzzforlife]

Illustrating her friendship with Mikayla Coombs:

 

[Buzzforlife]

Of Ga. Tech interest:
-Loretta Kakala, 6'3" Post, has committed to Louiville.
-Nyah Tate, 6'0", 2G, has committed to Miss. St.

Both were top 50 consensus players. Out of California and Miss., respectively.

 

[Buzzforlife]

Chelsie Hall(updated teams considered per hoop feed)
Tampa, FL
HOMETOWN
Seffner Christian Academy
HIGH SCHOOL
5-7
HEIGHT
—
WEIGHT
22
OVERALL RANK
7
POSITION RANK
STATUS
Undeclared
Still CONSIDERING
Florida, South Florida, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami.

More of a PG, than a 2G.

 

[GTJT622]

Thanks for the update, mate. Good stuff as usual.

 

[Buzzforlife]

Should we sign their starting five? Last seasons roster:
St. Francis
Team Varsity 2015-16 Colors Navy, White Overall 31-2 Region 10-0
Coach Aisha Kennedy Address 13440 Cogburn Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30004
Xcellent 25 Rank 13National Rank 99State (GA) Rank 2
(C) = Captain
Click the column headers to sort the roster
# Name Position Gr. Ht
0 Jasmine Feraro F, G Sr. 5-6
1 Nichel Tampa G, SG Jr. 5-6
2 Kennedy Powell PG, G Fr. 5-9
3 Taja Cummings PG Jr. 5-6
4 Sarah Recht G Fr. 5-6
10 Emma Motter G Fr. 5-7
11 Kasiyahna Kushkituah C Jr. 6-3
12 Kori McDaniel SG, PF So. 6-1
14 Jala Jordan G, F So. 6-1
15 Maya Dodson G Jr. 6-1
24 Olivia Swanston G So. 5-7
32 Gabby Burrell SF Jr. 5-9
42 Yasmeen Ratliff C Sr. 6-4
43 Alexis Ratliff C So. 6-3

 

[Buzzforlife]

Prospects Nation, 2017 Top 100(Ga., Texas tied for the most at 12 each)...
https://prospectsnation.com/players/ranked/2017

 

[GTJT622]

FYI...

Ciani Cryor‏@LilCiani_
I have decided to transfer and become a Scarlet Knight of Rutgers University for the remaining years of my collegiate career.

 

[BornAJacket]

Is she moving closer to home?

 

[GTJT622]

Yes. Piscataway, NJ, is just up the road from Philly (her home).

Good luck to her. Glad she chose Tech and gave the NATS a try. Certainly not the first and won't be the last to leave GT. Having said that, the Lady J's will be just fine moving forward.

 

[GTJT622]

Prospects Nation has re-ranked its Class of 2018... https://prospectsnation.com/players/all/2018

Note, 7 young ladies in the top 60 who are in the state of Georgia. Can we land 2 or 3 of these gals?

The Team USA U17 members are highly ranked of course. That team is currently in Europe traveling today to France to play a pre-tournament game against France on Saturday. They follow up with another one against Australia on Monday in Zaragoza, Spain, (host of the World Championships) before the real thing starts up on Wednesday next week.

Locally, we are all excited as our young lady will play a prominent role on this team. Recall her as a very young gal just starting out in our AAU program here. She should be the #1 ranked recruit in the Class of 2019 when that is updated.

 

[Buzzforlife]

 

[Buzzforlife]

 

[GTJT622]

A new one I stumbled upon (at least to me being new)...

...per ESPN.com, a 2018 verbal commit... http://espn.go.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/school/_/id/59/class/2018

Taylor Sutton, PG, 5'6", Greater Atlanta Christian

http://espn.go.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/203537

Looks a little dated, but at one time Prospects Nation had her rated as a 4-star... https://prospectsnation.com/player/taylor-sutton (but also shows her as 5'4" and attending a different school so could be entered a couple of years ago and never updated as Prospects Nation often tends to do for players not in the top 60/100)

 

[GTJT622]

Sutton would be the first 2018 commit. We still only have 2 for 2017 as far as I can tell - Cummings & Jefferson. The cupboard is full for 2017 unless there is some attrition we aren't aware of at the moment.

The '18 class should have 4 more openings after Sutton as we have 5 who will be seniors in the '18 season - Tilford, Peresson, O'Neil, Avram and Double E.