Early Signing Week Review

Early Signing Week Review
Early Signing Week ReviewKristen Simon

Kristen Simon committed via Instagram during the early signing period. *Photo by Glenn Nelson.

Typically signing week brings us one of the most intriguing times in the recruiting calendar. A couple of top prospects are usually set to make a college announcement and the recruiting landscape will ultimately change as a result. Last year the month of November gave us verbal commitments from the top two prospects in the country, Mercedes Russell and Kaela Davis, both of whom ironically played against each other this weekend. This year, however, was fairly quiet in comparison. There were a couple of moves and as a result there will be some shifting to the class rankings when we release them later this week, but all in all it was one of the quieter signing weeks in recent memory.

Florida State Adds Two

No one added more this week than Florida State, which picked up two four-star prospects and added a ton of athleticism to the program. Shakayla Thomas of Sylacauga, Ala., is one of the more explosive athletes in the class and will give Florida State coach Sue Semrau an elite talent to help mold. Thomas is a player with a lot of untapped potential and as she learns how to play the game and use her talents she could be a potential All League type performer.

Thomas, who picked Florida State over South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Georgia, is joined by an international prospect, Ama Degbeon of Germany, who also committed to Florida State before the early signing week ended. Degbeon is a wiry athlete who should be a solid contributor to the Florida State frontcourt rotation. Both Thomas and Degbeon fulfill immediate needs for Florida State as they will give the Seminoles athletic forwards who will compliment their transfers and class of 2013 signees.

The Kia Nurse Saga

In the heart of signing week, top ranked international prospect Kia Nurse was reported to have committed to Connecticut on Twitter. After contacting Nurse this weekend she shot the rumors down. Going into Monday afternoon, Nurse has yet to make a college decision. The Canadian National team member was on campus at Penn State for a visit this weekend and ironically the Nittany Lions’ opponent was Connecticut.

Nurse, along with No. 2 Aj’a Wilson, is one of the major puzzle pieces yet to find a place in the recruiting landscape. Ultimately whenever Nurse and Wilson make their college decisions they will add a lot to their programs of choice.

Kristen Simon Goes Early

Southern California landed an ELITE 150 talent this week with the addition of Kristen Simon of Los Angeles, Calif., to its 2014 recruiting class. Simon gives the Women of Troy a true low post scoring threat and immediate help on the offensive and defensive glass. Southern California coach Cynthia Cooper has put together a strong recruiting class in her first months on campus. Simon will join Los Angeles based point guard Chyanne Butler and wing forward Amy Okonkwo as a trio of players they were able to keep home. They both will be joined by McKenzie Calvert of San Antonio, Texas, as the members of Southern California’s 2014 class.


Moore is the Director of Scouting for the JumpOffPlus.com National Scouting Report and international scouting report. He has been a member if the women's basketball community for more than six years as a trainer and evaluator. He can be reached at keil@prospectsnation.com.

Follow The Feed