Gianna Kneepkens
Bailey Chynoweth returned to her home state of Washington in 2019 to compete at the Check Me Out Showcase. *Photo by Glenn Nelson.
Kneepkens To Utah
Gianna Kneepkens of Duluth, Minnesota, verbally committed to Utah this week. The 5-foot-11 guard chose the Utes over finalists George Washington, Minnesota, Saint Louis, South Dakota and Villanova.
“The coaches at the University of Utah did a great job of demonstrating how I will be a nice complement to the program and will be challenged at the same time,” Kneepkens said. “They put forth a strong case on how they will support me to become the best version of myself -academically, athletically, socially, and spiritually. They passionately pursued me and believed in me from the very beginning. The Utes made me a family member from the start. I am humbled and feel deep gratitude that I can now say I am a Ute.”
Kneepkens was a standout with the Minnesota Fury last summer and had a phenomenal weekend at the Check Me Out Midwest Showcase in Minneapolis. Her ability to find scoring opportunities by moving without the ball is only complemented by what she can do with the ball. During the high school season she is one of the most prolific scorers in Minnesota the past few seasons. That body of work has earned her a spot in the ProspectsNation.com ELITE 75 for the 2021 class.
Chynoweth To SDSU
Senior guard Bailee Chynoweth of Lynnwood, Washington, by way of Austin, Texas, has signed with San Diego State. The 5-11 guard joins the Aztecs’ early signing class of Asia Avinger, a 5-7 point guard from Fullerton, California, Kmaira Gipson, a 6-3 post from Beeville, Texas, and Fiera Vinerte, a 6-2 forward from Riga, Latvia.
Chynoweth is a strong off-ball guard with straight line speed to get out in transition. Her scoring specialty is spot-up shooting and with her length and range that skill should translate immediately to the college level.
Amaria Fields To Boston College
Amaria Fields of McKinney, Texas, gave her commitment to Boston College. The 5-10 guard was a standout last spring at the Check Me Out Texas Showcase. She is the first commitment for the Eagles in the 2021 class.
Fields is an explosive perimeter prospect who scored the ball in impressive fashion in high school. She can attack the basket and finishes with both hands and has expanded her range as well.
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.
