Photo by Andrew Kilzer, TexAgs
Texas A&M Women's Basketball
Women's Basketball National Champions welcome visitors
The National Champion Texas A&M Women's basketball team has already started practicing, but for the fans, the season will officially kick off for both the Men and the Women this Friday at Kyle Field during Midnight Madness. Gary Blair and company will be hosting six official visitors from the class of 2012 (all of whom have committed to the Ags). Brianna Turner, the nations number two rated prospect in the class of 2014, will also be visiting unofficially to partake in this weekend's festivities. After winning a national championship, Gary Blair, Vic Shaefer, Kelly Bond and Johnnie Harris have been working tirelessly to assemble the nations number two recruiting class for 2012 and has already started preparing for 2013 and 2014. Here is a look at who will be on campus this weekend for the Women's basketball program.
Overall Rank: 2
Position Rank: 1
Profile: ESPN Profile
Although very young, women's basketball analyst are already comparing Turner's natural gifts to the likes of Maya Moore, Candace Parker and Britney Griner. She stands 6'3 and moves like a guard on the floor. She can handle the ball well for her size but where she is most productive is in the paint at both ends of the floor. On offense, she is learning how to finish around older, stronger players while not just relying on towering over them. But on the defensive end she is very quick off the floor which is a plus for blocking and altering shots and great rebounding opportunities. Turner could be the nation's number one prospect when everything is said and done.
Aggie Commits/Official Visitors
Overall Rank: 9
Position Rank: 1
Profile: ESPN Profile
The 6'1, do-it-all athlete can literally play four positions on the court. She has the basketball IQ and the ball handling abilities to play the point guard spot and the athleticism and scoring mentality to play on the wing. And while she is not the tallest girl on the court, she plays with a toughness that allows her to bang in the paint from time to time. She can hit the open jumper from long range (but most continue to improve) as well as knock down a pull up jumper off the dribble. On the defensive end of the court, Williams uses her length and lateral quickness to keep smaller guards in front of her and her size to match up with bigger players.
If there is something that Williams needs to work on before arriving on campus, it is her ability to play hard for the entire game. She has a tendency to be better than her opponents and will need to work on staying focus throughout the course of the competition.
Courtney is well known among the Aggie family as she played with three of Gary Blair's current players, Karla Gilbert, Kelsey Bone and Rachel Mitchell on the same AAU team.
Overall Rank: 14
Position Rank: 3
Profile: ESPN Profile
Big things come in little packages, at least that's how the saying goes. Jordan Jones is a 5'6 point guard from Desoto high school that is one of the more heralded players in this class. Not only does she compete at a high level, but her skill set is just as impressive. When the play breaks down on offense, just let a post player set a ball screen for her and watch her work. She has a very high knowledge of the game and her quick reactions allow her to get into the paint and make plays whenever she wants. Jones is a pure scorer with the ability to score from behind the arc, mid-range, or in traffic where the post players live. She may be one of the most athletic guards in this year's class.
Not only is Jordan talented, but she has the chance to be her school's valedictorian. When you meet her off the floor and watch her on the court, she may remind you of a Sydney Colson type personality.
Overall Rank: 29
Position Rank: 8
Profile: ESPN Profile
Peyton Little is a former Texas Longhorn commit that had a change of heart and decided to make the move to Aggieland. And not only did she make the decision to be an Aggie, but she has been one of the best recruiters for Coach Blair and company.
Little has the ability to hold down the point guard spot for short periods of time during a game but her talents are best utilized when she is on the wing. Peyton can score in a multitude of ways, which was evident when she scored over 40 points in the high school state championship game last year. She will be a match-up problem for opposing teams and like the rest of her classmates, she understands the game extremely well. Look for Peyton to hit some big shots during her time in College Station and one of the more vocal girls around campus.
Little will need to work on her defensive prowess. She uses her length well and plays the angles, but smaller guards are a tough match-up for her.
Overall Rank: 31
Position Rank: 7
Profile: ESPN Profile
The only commit not able to claim the state of Texas is Courtney Walker. She comes to Texas A&M by way of Oklahoma, after decommitting from the Sooners last summer. Standing 5'8, Walker is definitely the most physical recruit of the 2012 class. She loves to crash the offensive boards and attacks the paint of the dribble. Her intensity and motor can change the game without having plays called for her. Walker can make plays on her own without the ball in her hands, which is why she is the ultimate definition of a hustle player.
Overall Rank: 45
Position Rank: 15
Profile: ESPN Profile
The 5'10 wing is probably the most athletic player in the class. Jennings has a great explosion off the ground and can finish with the best of them. Her best asset at this point in time is her killer instinct on defense. She has a very raw talent that the Aggie staff will be able to mold into something very special. Chelsea's has huge potential in every aspect of her game as she has just started to scratch the surface of her talent level. Her perimeter shot continues to improve and her willingness to be coached is phenomenal.
Overall Rank: 72
Position Rank: 10
Profile: ESPN Profile
Knox is a true combo guard. She is more than likely going to spend the majority of her time on the wing, but has all the skills to handle the point guard spot for the Ags. She is very unique in that she can score with ease but has the mentality to share the ball with her teammates. Her strongest area on the floor is at the defensive end where she has the ability to guard multiple positions. She has already bought into the "defense wins championships" mentality and has the drive to stop the player in front of her.
Curtyce tore her ACL at A&M's camp last summer but has been released to run and will continue to improve as the year goes on.
Unofficial Visitor
Manvel F Brianna Turner
Status: 2014 RecruitOverall Rank: 2
Position Rank: 1
Profile: ESPN Profile
Although very young, women's basketball analyst are already comparing Turner's natural gifts to the likes of Maya Moore, Candace Parker and Britney Griner. She stands 6'3 and moves like a guard on the floor. She can handle the ball well for her size but where she is most productive is in the paint at both ends of the floor. On offense, she is learning how to finish around older, stronger players while not just relying on towering over them. But on the defensive end she is very quick off the floor which is a plus for blocking and altering shots and great rebounding opportunities. Turner could be the nation's number one prospect when everything is said and done.
Aggie Commits/Official Visitors
North Shore G Courtney Williams
Status: 2012 Aggie CommitOverall Rank: 9
Position Rank: 1
Profile: ESPN Profile
The 6'1, do-it-all athlete can literally play four positions on the court. She has the basketball IQ and the ball handling abilities to play the point guard spot and the athleticism and scoring mentality to play on the wing. And while she is not the tallest girl on the court, she plays with a toughness that allows her to bang in the paint from time to time. She can hit the open jumper from long range (but most continue to improve) as well as knock down a pull up jumper off the dribble. On the defensive end of the court, Williams uses her length and lateral quickness to keep smaller guards in front of her and her size to match up with bigger players.
If there is something that Williams needs to work on before arriving on campus, it is her ability to play hard for the entire game. She has a tendency to be better than her opponents and will need to work on staying focus throughout the course of the competition.
Courtney is well known among the Aggie family as she played with three of Gary Blair's current players, Karla Gilbert, Kelsey Bone and Rachel Mitchell on the same AAU team.
Desoto PG Jordan Jones
Status: 2012 Aggie CommitOverall Rank: 14
Position Rank: 3
Profile: ESPN Profile
Big things come in little packages, at least that's how the saying goes. Jordan Jones is a 5'6 point guard from Desoto high school that is one of the more heralded players in this class. Not only does she compete at a high level, but her skill set is just as impressive. When the play breaks down on offense, just let a post player set a ball screen for her and watch her work. She has a very high knowledge of the game and her quick reactions allow her to get into the paint and make plays whenever she wants. Jones is a pure scorer with the ability to score from behind the arc, mid-range, or in traffic where the post players live. She may be one of the most athletic guards in this year's class.
Not only is Jordan talented, but she has the chance to be her school's valedictorian. When you meet her off the floor and watch her on the court, she may remind you of a Sydney Colson type personality.
Wylie G Peyton Little
Status: 2012 Aggie CommitOverall Rank: 29
Position Rank: 8
Profile: ESPN Profile
Peyton Little is a former Texas Longhorn commit that had a change of heart and decided to make the move to Aggieland. And not only did she make the decision to be an Aggie, but she has been one of the best recruiters for Coach Blair and company.
Little has the ability to hold down the point guard spot for short periods of time during a game but her talents are best utilized when she is on the wing. Peyton can score in a multitude of ways, which was evident when she scored over 40 points in the high school state championship game last year. She will be a match-up problem for opposing teams and like the rest of her classmates, she understands the game extremely well. Look for Peyton to hit some big shots during her time in College Station and one of the more vocal girls around campus.
Little will need to work on her defensive prowess. She uses her length well and plays the angles, but smaller guards are a tough match-up for her.
Edmond Santa Fe (OK) G Courtney Walker
Status: 2012 Aggie CommitOverall Rank: 31
Position Rank: 7
Profile: ESPN Profile
The only commit not able to claim the state of Texas is Courtney Walker. She comes to Texas A&M by way of Oklahoma, after decommitting from the Sooners last summer. Standing 5'8, Walker is definitely the most physical recruit of the 2012 class. She loves to crash the offensive boards and attacks the paint of the dribble. Her intensity and motor can change the game without having plays called for her. Walker can make plays on her own without the ball in her hands, which is why she is the ultimate definition of a hustle player.
North Crowley G Chelsea Jennings
Status: 2012 Aggie CommitOverall Rank: 45
Position Rank: 15
Profile: ESPN Profile
The 5'10 wing is probably the most athletic player in the class. Jennings has a great explosion off the ground and can finish with the best of them. Her best asset at this point in time is her killer instinct on defense. She has a very raw talent that the Aggie staff will be able to mold into something very special. Chelsea's has huge potential in every aspect of her game as she has just started to scratch the surface of her talent level. Her perimeter shot continues to improve and her willingness to be coached is phenomenal.
Atascocita PG Curtyce Knox
Status: 2012 Aggie CommitOverall Rank: 72
Position Rank: 10
Profile: ESPN Profile
Knox is a true combo guard. She is more than likely going to spend the majority of her time on the wing, but has all the skills to handle the point guard spot for the Ags. She is very unique in that she can score with ease but has the mentality to share the ball with her teammates. Her strongest area on the floor is at the defensive end where she has the ability to guard multiple positions. She has already bought into the "defense wins championships" mentality and has the drive to stop the player in front of her.
Curtyce tore her ACL at A&M's camp last summer but has been released to run and will continue to improve as the year goes on.
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