Meet the National Champion women's b-ball's newest members

“Kelly Bond, our associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, along with associate head coach Vic Schaefer and assistant coach Johnnie Harris have worked hard for four years putting this class together and it will be our highest recruiting class ever,” Blair said. “Winning the national championship has definitely helped with recruiting, but most of our signees were committed to A&M beforehand. Thanks to my staff they have found the replacements that will keep our program going forward for years to come.

 

“All six of these young ladies have been friends, summer AAU teammates or competed against each other. Four of the six won a national championship with the DFW Elite club team this past summer. They all have attended summer camps at A&M where friendships started, families bonded and they saw how they would fit into A&M academically, socially and with the Aggie way of basketball.

 

“Each young lady brings something different to our team. They are long, athletic, quick and natural leaders for their high school teams.  They were sold on what academics could do for them at A&M and are all looking forward to the challenges that the SEC will give us next year.”

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 must 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.

“Courtney might be most versatile player we have ever signed at A&M,” Blair said. “She was the first player to commit in the class and was very instrumental in helping sign her future teammates. With her height and length she can play 1 through 4 and we’re looking forward to the matchup she can create. She is the highest-rated guard to ever sign with the Aggies.”

Overall Rank: 14

Position Rank: 3

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.

“Jordan is explosive, quick and has the ability to see the floor well,” said Blair. “She will impact our ability to run in transition and create opportunities for our wings and posts.”

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 be one of the more vocal girls around campus.

She'll 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. 

“Peyton is a wing player with great length and versatility to play multiple positions,” said Blair. “She comes from a basketball family where her dad played at Texas Tech and is in the Hall of Fame, and her uncles played at Oklahoma and Baylor. She shoots the three very well and understands the game.”

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.

“The Oklahoma tradition continues with Courtney and she will fit right into our defensive scheme,” said Blair. “We lose 5-foot-6 Sydney Carter and insert 5-foot-8 Courtney Walker who attacks well, rebounds well and plays defense with the best of them.”

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 has huge potential in every aspect of her game, having just started to scratch the surface of her talent level. Her perimeter shot continues to improve and her willingness to be coached is phenomenal. 

“Chelsea is the complete package for a wing player,” Blair said. “She scores in traffic, shoots the three and has the ability to defend at the 2 or 3 spot for us like Tyra White. She was slowed by an eye injury this summer, but well be in top form for her senior year.”

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.

“Curtyce is a young lady coming off a summer ACL injury,” Blair said. “She has rehabbed well and will be a force in leading her team to the playoffs this year. She scores off the bounce, is a great penetrator and a leader.”

“Texas A&M landed another great class this year. They reloaded and got everyone they wanted. With this class they won’t have any drop off; they will just keep going with the high-caliber of basketball they are accustomed to. The SEC is in trouble and at minimum A&M should be competing for an SEC title every year.”

—Brett McCormick, All-Star Girls Report

 

“Gary Blair and his staff are again wizards. A&M is coming off a fabulous season last year and staying in state with virtually all their signees except Courtney Walker. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with regards to Texas basketball talent. They’ve signed six players who can virtually play anywhere in the backcourt and who have size, speed, athleticism and defensive aggressiveness — all that lead them to doing what they do — playing tremendous defense. This class is predicated on that. My hat goes off to Coach Blair and his staff. Moving conferences won’t make any difference for A&M. I wouldn’t even be surprised if he’s knocking down the door to another national championship soon.”

—Dan Olson, The Collegiate Girls Basketball Report

 

“Recruiting and ultimately signing elite players is tough with so many great programs in the sport today. Signing six players in a class is also a difficult task. Putting the two together, signing six players in the top 100 in the same class is incredibly rare. This class brings a lot of interchangeable parts to the program which should allow the coaching staff to mix and match lineups and be tough to scheme for.  

—Chris Hansen, the National Director of Prospects for ESPN HoopGurlz

 

“Texas A&M has done a remarkable job in recruiting over the past five years, but this year they have outdone themselves. Gary Blair and his staff have reloaded with awesome young talent. Texas A&M fans could have another national championship team coming down the pipe. Do not count them out this year either, for a repeat is a real possibility.”

—Joey Simmons, Premier Basketball Report