Gabby Hutcherson
Sarah Ashlee Barker of the Alabama Southern Starz shocked some by choosing Georiga of in-state programs like Alabama and Auburn. *Photo by Ty Freeman.
Hutcherson Staying Home
Gabby Hutcherson of Columbus, Ohio, decided to stay home and commit to the Ohio State Buckeyes. The 6-foot-1 forward is ranked No. 11 in the 2020 class and the top rated player in-state.
Hutcherson has the versatility to get out and run with the perimeter players in transition but also be an effective 4-player on both sides of the court. Her length and agility makes her effective in being disruptive in gap defense as well as being a shot blocker.
Hutcherson is the highest rated junior to commit to a school to date. Her commitment comes as Ohio State is wrapping up its 2019 class. The Buckeyes have 3 players ranked in the top 75 verbally committed and expected to sign in November – No. 18 Kiersten Bell of Canton, Ohio; No. 65 Rikki Harris of Indianapolis; and No. 74 Jacy Sheldon of Dublin, Ohio.
Layden Goes Big Ten
Madison Layden of Kokomo, Indiana, has verbally committed to Purdue. The 5-10 guard is ranked No. 52 in the 2020 E60 and carries a four-star rating.
She is a big guard with versatility who can contribute a lot of areas and make her teammates better. She is the first 2020 to commit to the Boilermakers
Barker To UGA
Georgia landed its first commitment in the 2020 class with the addition of Sarah Ashlee Barker. The 5-9 shooting guard from Birmingham, Alabama, chose UGA over Alabama and Auburn.
Barker is a strong guard who can beat you off the dribble and has shown she strength to finish after contact. She can shoot three too and is an E100 caliber prospect.
Reed To Boise State
Raigan Reed of Lake Stevens, Wash. *Photo
courtesy of EliteisEarned.com
Raigan Reed of Lake Stevens, Washington, has verbally committed to Boise State. The 5-7 junior point guard chose the Broncos over finalist Washington State. She is on the 2020 E100 Watch List and carries a four-star rating.
Reed will bring her playmaking ability to campus when the Boise State loaded 2018 recruiting class will have two years of college experience. The Broncos signed three E150 prospects last fall.
Mississippi State Adds Fourth Piece
Aliyah Matharu of Forestville, Maryland, has verbally committed to Mississippi State. The 5-10 guard was ranked No. 87 in the 2019 class coming out of the summer.
Matharu is the fourth player to commit to the Bulldogs in the class. She joins No. 20 Jayla Hemingway of Colliersville, Tennessee, No. 60 JaMya Young of Bogalusa, Louisiana, and 3-star-plus wing Esmery Martinez of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Crocker To Cal
Cai Crocker competes at the Check Me Out SoCal
Showcase. *Photo by Chris Hansen.Cailyn Crocker of Carson, California has verbally committed to Cal. The 5-8 point guard is a four-star prospect who was ranked No. 66 in the E150 this summer. She chose UC-Berkeley over finalist Michigan.
The talented Crocker brings more than just skills to Haas Pavilion. She is a terrific leader on the court whether she is scoring the ball or not. Her intangibles will be benefits to the Bears lineup on more than just gameday.
Crocker is the second commit for the Bears in the 2019 class. She joins Lauren Fields, a 5-9 guard from Edmond, Oklahoma.
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.
