UConn added their second five-star prospect Wednesday when Olivia Nelson-Ododa made a pledgeNEws and notes from signing week 2018
Nelson-Ododa Gives Connecticut Two
On Wednesday, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, the No. 7 ranked player in the ELITE 150 for the class of 2018, made a college decision to pick Connecticut. The five-star prospect chose Connecticut over a list of finalists that included, Duke, Florida State, Georgia, Stanford, and South Carolina.
At 6-foot-4, Nelson-Ododa has a versatile skill set that will allow her to make an impact in a variety of ways. While on the U17 national team at USA Basketball, Nelson-Ododa showed comfort in the post and playing with her back to the basket. She has elite size and footwork and uses her length to shoot over the top of defenders. The high-post is another area where Nelson-Ododa can be useful, she can play facing the basket and has continued to improve as a shooter during her prep career.
For Connecticut, Nelson-Ododa's decision gives them their second prospect in the 2018 class. She will join fellow five-star Christyn Williams and propel Connecticut towards the top of the recruiting class rankings. The combination of Williams and Nelson-Ododa is a strong save for Connecticut as they went into the early signing period without a single commitment for the 2018 class but managed to go two for two during signing week.
Other Signing Week News
Class of 2018 forward Mikayla Pippin made a signing week decision to sign with LaSalle. Pippin, who was one of the last members of the ELITE 150 to make a college decision, gives the A-10 school an athletic forward who can rebound and defend at a high level.
Washington picked up a boost to their signing class when Tiyonna Watkins of Walnut, California, decided to sign with the PAC-12 school. This summer, Watkins was one of the most efficient shooters in the Nike EYBL, her ability to finish plays around the rim, defend multiple positions, and rebound from the wing position will be a welcome addition in Seattle, Washington.
Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors and his staff added one more piece to their 2018 class when Rokia Doumbia decided to sign with the SEC school. Doumbia, who picked Arkansas over Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, Texas Christian, and Georgia Tech, will give Arkansas an elite athlete who can make immediate contributions on both sides of the ball.
Williams Picks Connecticut
Williams is a unique combination of power and skill on the wing. She plays hard and with a train of thought when attacking the lane. Her game has continued to blossom all the while becoming a five-star prospect. Williams took on all comers between USAB, Nike EYBL and the PSB second half of July gauntlet (PSBSummerInvite, PSBPower 48) during the course of her high school career. Williams showed that she is an elite prep in the class and arguably the nation’s top player overall.
In Storrs, look for Williams to continue the lineage of wing players capable of making an impact on both ends of the floor. She is the type of prospect who has the skill set and athleticism to keep the Huskies playing on the final weekend of the season for years to come.
Williams to choose between UConn and South Carolina
At 12:05 p.m. Eastern Time, No. 4 Christyn Williams of Little Rock, Arkansas, will announce where she will sign her National Letter of Intent. The 5-foot-10 guard has narrowed her list to Connecticut and South Carolina. She is live streaming her annoucement. If she chooses Connecticut she will be the sole player to date in the Huskies' recruiting class. If she chooses the Gamecocks it will move Dawn Staley's class into the top five classes in the nation.
LIVE STREAM WILL BE AVAILABLE https://t.co/QRFcv6nZdV
— Christyn Williams (@christyn2000) November 10, 2017
Nelson-Ododa to be highest ranked undecided
After Williams signs this afternoon, No. 7 Olivia Nelson-Ododa of Winder, Georgia, will be the highest ranked player in the class yet to announce her decision. Her finalists include Connecticut, Duke, Florida State, Georgia, South Carolina and Stanford. She has not made her timeline for a decision public to date.
Excited to release my Final 6 Schools pic.twitter.com/LWDLetgn4s
— Olivia Nelson-Ododa (@OliviaKNelson) September 5, 2017
Saxton to South Carolina
One of the best athletes in the 2018 class, Victaria Saxton of Rome, Georgia, picked South Carolina on the first day of signing day. Saxton, who chose the SEC school over Louisville and Georgia, gives South Carolina their second verbal commitment for the class of 2018 as Saxton will join point guard Destanni Henderson in Columbia next year.
Saxton gives South Carolina an interior presence to replace senior Aja Wilson departs after graduating. Saxton is an explosive athlete and one of the best rebounders in the country, during her time at South Carolina it will be key for her to develop more offensive tools, but her physical tools will allow her to compete at a high level early in her playing career.
With Saxton's commitment, South Carolina moved into the top 10 of our recruiting class rankings. The defending national champions are still waiting on decisions from Christyn Williams and Olivia Nelson-Ododa. Either addition would have an immediate impact on the SEC program.
By adding @vsaxton25, South Carolina will rise into the Top 10 ‘18 Classes nationally.
— Brandon Clay (@BrandonClayPSB) November 8, 2017
Currently at No. 13 with Destanni Henderson on board.@ProspectsNation Board Update from @ChrisHansenPSB Coming Soon: https://t.co/CnQ3Q8Podc @SCWBB_News pic.twitter.com/GB1DdOF6CK
#CommitmentCentral
— Brandon Clay (@BrandonClayPSB) November 8, 2017
‘18 P Victaria Saxton (GA) of @HubbardCoach to South Carolina.
No. 25 in the ProspectsNation150.#BrandonClayScouting: @vsaxton25 has a high motor. Jumps twice before most land once.@ProspectsNation CARD: https://t.co/z5zb2SCJn6 pic.twitter.com/dtn6clRQ4u
Updated Signing Class Rankings
Updates to South Carolina and Duke
Sydney Brown to Columbia
Early on the first day of signing day, class of 2018 wing Sydney Brown made committed to Columbia. The 5-foot-10 prospect will give Columbia a versatile scorer who can play on the perimeter or as a stretch-four in smaller line-ups. Brown has improved her game over the past 18 months, and this commitment could pay dividends for Columbia down the road. Brown has
Rutgers adds Zipporah Broughton
After making official visits to Kentucky, Rutgers, and Florida, class of 2018 point guard Zipporah Broughton of Montgomery, Alabama has signed with Rutgers, becoming their first member of the 2018 class.
Broughton gives Rutgers an athletic point guard who can push the tempo and create shots for herself and others. She will pressure the ball defensively and fit in well with the defensive philosophy of the Rutgers program.
Burrell Picks Tennessee
Just hours before the beginning of the Early Signing period, Tennessee coach Holly Warlick and her staff picked up a commitment from class of 2018 forward Rae Burrell of Henderson, Nevada. Burrell, who picked Tennessee over Oregon State, Duke, and Marquette, is the fourth member of the 2018 class to pledge to Tennessee. She will join, Amira Collins, Jazmine Massengill, and Zarielle Green.
Burrell will give Tennessee frontline depth as she will likely play both forward spots during her time in Knoxville. During her play in the summer, Burrell showed she could compete at a high level and make plays on both sides of the ball. Coach Warlick and her staff will be looking for her to make a similar impact in Knoxville.
The addition of Burrell solidifies Tennessee at the third spot in our 2018 recruiting class rankings.
