Desiree Caldwell
Desiree Caldwell commits to Texas Tech on May 8, 2016 at the Check Me Out Texas Showcase. Video by Haley Weit.
The month of May is off to a great start for the Lady Raiders of Texas Tech. After securing a late spring from an ELITE 150 prospect in the 2016 class, Candi Whitaker jumped ahead to 2018 class and got a verbal commitment from No. 7 player in the class, Desiree Caldwell, over the weekend.
Desiree Caldwell battles San Antonio's Finest teammates
Kianna Williams at the 2016 Check Me Out Texas Showcase.
*Photo by Chris Hansen.Caldwell, a 5-foot-7 point guard made her announcement while participating at the Check Me Out Texas Showcase on Sunday. She is the second player in the 2018 class to commit to Texas Tech, joining 5-7 guard Addison Ryan of Frisco, Texas.
“I chose Texas Tech because I love the coaching staff and I potentially have the opportunity to play with my basketball role model for the first time in my life,” Caldwell, the latter part referring to her sister. “I also think I fit well into their style of play and Coach Whitaker knows what's it's like to be a small guard in the Big 12, playing for the legendary Marsha Sharp.
She will come in two years after the breakout 2016 class for the Lady Raiders and should give the program instant depth at the point guard position behind her older sister, Recee Caldwell, who will be a redshirt sophomore this coming season.
Caldwell, who was a point guard on the USA Basketball U16 national team last summer, brings leadership and playmaking ability to the floor. She can score it but she is fantastic and penetrating to find teammates.
“Caldwell, much like all of the SA Finest guards, can play either guard spot with equal effectiveness. She can hit the open 3 with an easy release and a quick trigger. She is playing against some of the nation's top competition and making plays like a veteran as just a rising sophomore.”
~ July 2015: PSB Summer Invitational, Jonathan Hemingway
Desiree Caldwell will continue to call Lubbock, Texas,
home for the next few years. *Photo by Chris Hansen.Caldwell is no stranger to Lubbock as her father, Ray, who built the San Antonio Finest club program from the ground up, is an assistant on staff.
“Since moving here I've gotten to learn about the rich history and enormous fan support basketball has had in the past and I want to be a part of the team that helps return the program to how it used to be,” Caldwell added. “I've also gotten to witness throughout the year how much Coach Whitaker emphasizes skill development and I know I will become a better basketball player being a part of the program.”
In addition to the one year sister act, Desiree will play two years with the trio of 2016’s signed this season – Brittany Brewer, Grayson Bright and Arella Guirantes. Both Brewer and Guirates are ranked in the top 60 for the current senior class.
Chris Hansen is managing editor of ProspectsNation.com and serves on the McDonald’s All-American and Naismith Trophy selection committees. He was the national director of scouting for ESPN HoopGurlz from 2005 until 2012 and is the director of the Check Me Out Showcase. He can be reached at chris@prospectsnation.com.
