Destiny AdamsVerhulst To Louisville
Payton Verhulst, the 6-foot-1 combo guard from De Soto, Kansas, gave her verbal commitment to Louisville over the weekend. The No. 10 prospects in the 2021 class according to ProspectsNation.com also considered Arizona State, Connecticut, Missouri, Notre Dame, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford and Tennessee.
CLAY’S TAKE: I wrote back in August after her showing at the Brandon Clay Scouting All-American Academy that joining the 180 (50% FG/40% 3PFG-90% FT) club in college is a distinct possibility. If she can keep improving, the sky is the limit for Verhulst. She battled through rehabbing a broken finger this fall returning just in time for the school season. Along the way, she had another banner year being named a Naismith Trophy All-American Team member as well as winning Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year. That type of resiliency should prepare her well for the rigors of ACC play and beyond at Louisville.
Verhulst is the first commitment for the Cardinals in the 2021 class. She will spend three years with the program’s three-player 2020 signing class led by No. 2 Hailey Van Lith of Cashmere, Washington, and No. 10 Olivia Cochran of Columbus, Georgia. A backcourt with Nyah Green as a junior, Van Lith as a sophomore and Verhulst as a freshman could be a dynamic group.
Destiny Adams at the 2019 PSB Summer Invitational in Emerson, Georgia. *Photo by Larry Rhinehart.
Adams To North Carolina
Destiny Adams of Whiting, New Jersey, gave her verbal commitment to North Carolina recently. The 6-3 swing player is the first player to commit to Courtney Banghart in the class.
Adams is a really versatile option who can play either off ball perimeter position or play the forward spot. Last May she emerged at the USA Basketball as a multi-position talent. Focusing on playing in the front court was a point of emphasis.
“I’ve always played a guard,” Adams said. I always play the outside driving in to take my player one-on-one but now that I play for Exodus my coach makes me take out the ball, trail the point guard so now I play inside. I think it’s good for me to learn both positions, it really helps my versatility.” (Full Story)
Adams is coming in following the Tar Heels’ five-player signing class in 2020. Adams joining the likes of 6-3 forward Alexandra Zelaya of Goodyear, Arizona, and 6-2 forward Anya Poole of Raleigh, North Carolina, will give the program real depth and a diversity of skillsets in the frontcourt.
Fritz To Belmont
Denae Fritz of Maryville, Tennessee, committed to Belmont last week. The 5-11 guard chose the Bruins over Clemson, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech and UT-Chattanooga, among others.
CLAY’S TAKE: Fritz has very good length at the guard position and a skill set that allows her to handle and score. At the Coach Hemi Showcase, she stood out during game play as one of the best shot makers in the camp.
Fritz is the second 2021 the Bruins have landed to date. Bart Brooks and his staff also got an early commitment from Tessa Miller, a 6-2 forward from Crossville, Tennessee. Both players are on the ProspectsNation.com ELITE 150 Watch List for the class.
AROUND THE RIM
Nakia Boston of Everett, Washington, committed to Portland State. The 5-9 guard will join the PSU 2020 class.
Amelia Osgood of Brentwood, Tennessee, committed to Princeton. The 5-9 scoring guard brings ball skill and deep range to the Tigers backcourt.
Claira McGowan Murfreesboro, Tennessee committed to Murray State. The 5-6 poing guard will bring toughness to the Racers’ backcourt.
Chris Hansen is managing editor of ProspectsNation.com and serves on the McDonald’s All-American and Naismith Trophy selection committees. He was a co-founder of and the national director of scouting for ESPN HoopGurlz from 2005 until 2012 and is the director of the Check Me Out Showcase and ELITE is EARNED events. He can be reached at chris@prospectsnation.com.
Brandon Clay serves as the Director of Scouting for ProspectsNation.com and owns The BrandonClayScouting.com Evaluation Report, which is read by more than 200 colleges and universities nationwide. He also serves as the Executive Skills Director for the Brandon Clay Scouting Academy Series.
