De Ashia Jones
Georgia Tech picked up a fifth 2014 commit in De Ashia Jones of Newark, N.J. *Photo by Ty Freeman.
Jones to Georgia Tech
This week Georgia Tech was able to secure a verbal commitment from the No. 76 player in the ELITE 150 for the class of 2014, De Ashia Jones of Newark, N.J. Jones, a 6-foot forward, gives Tech its fourth verbal commitment from prospects in the ELITE 150 and its fifth overall prospect.
Jones will give the ACC school additional size across the frontline in addition to her being able to knock down open shots on the perimeter to open up the floor. Jones will join her high school and her summer basketball teammate Zaire ONeil of Newark, N.J., as members of the Georgia Tech 2014 recruiting class. In addition to Jones and ONeal, the Yellow Jackets have verbal commitments from wing Danica Piper of Serbia, post Erin Garner of Trenton, N.J., and point guard Imani Tilford of White Plains, N.Y. Georgia Tech currently holds the No. 11 ranked recruiting class for the class of 2014 but the late additions of Jones and Piper should allow them to move up a bit in the final recruiting class rankings when they are released this spring.
Late Signing Period
With the womens NCAA tournament here we all have the opportunity to sit back and watch the madness that is March. While this years tournament is sure to be an exciting one, from a recruiting perspective it marks the pending arrival of the spring recruiting season with both the late signing period and April evaluation period not too far in the distance.
We have talked a good bit this winter about class of 2014 forward Aja Wilson and the impact her college decision could have on the recruiting class rankings, as well as her future college team. Wilson has the ability to be a program changer in the future and when her decision plays out there wont be another day one impact type player out there for a program to land. But that doesnt mean recruiting classes wont get better this spring. Here is a quick look at a couple of ways your favorite program could improve its 2014 recruiting haul.
Coaching Changes
Over the past few years we have seen the late signing period become a black market of sorts for programs looking to add a key piece. Coaching changes have allowed players to get out of their National Letter of Intent and given some programs the ability to drastically improve their roster late in the game.
Junior College
This years junior college crop looks to be solid as there are a handful of four-star prospects who should be able to make an early impact next season.
International Prospects
As of this week the International route might be the richest in terms of late signing period talent. There are an abundance of wings on the market in both Europe and Australia and a couple of four-star prospects who have yet to make a college decision.
Visitation Nation Quick Hitter
A 6-0 forward, Brit Zapeij of the Netherlands was here last month for three official visits and is looking to make a college decision soon. Zapeij is a true face-up four player with the ability to shoot the perimeter jumper at a solid rate offensively while still defending her position and keeping a teams defense honest defensively. She made official visits to Providence, Wright State, and Fordham. Zapeij would be a nice addition for all three schools as she has the ability to bring a lot to the table experience wise and should be able to find her way to the floor early in her career.
Around the Rim
Kent State Gets a Pair: Kent State secured two verbal commitments out of the class of 2015 as it was able to nab point guard Conor Richardson and shooting guard Alexa Golden from the Western PA Bruins summer program.
Virginia Gets Ferguson: Virginia was able to add size to their roster for the future as they nabbed three-star post Debra Ferguson. Ferguson is a class of 2015 prospect who stands 6-4 and will stay close to home and play her college basketball in the ACC. Follow @KeilMoorePSB
