Class of 2021 Signing Week News

Class of 2021 Signing Week News By Michael Wholey 11/15/20 8:00 PM EST Wednesday November 11 marked the start of the fall signing period. As we had noted in previous articles, a number of Florida players were verbally committed ahead of signing week. Here are several players who made decisions this week.   [player_tooltip player_id="91508" first="Emani" last="Burks"] (Palm Bay Magnet / East Coast United) – SOUTH ALABAMA The 6’2 forward from Melbourne, FL joined fellow Florida residents [player_tooltip player_id="91517" first="Deborah" last="Reese"] and [player_tooltip player_id="91564" first="Jordan" last="Rosier"] in the 2021 class choosing South Alabama. The three Florida residents make up 50% of the six player class for the Jaguars. Burks returns to Palm Bay Magnet for her Senior season where she played as a Freshman and Sophomore. During her Junior season she was a second-team all-Space Coast in her lone season at Florida Prep after nearly averaging a double-double with 9.4 PPG and 8.5 RPG per game helping lead her squad to a 24-7 record and a FHSAA 2A State Championship. She is one of the state’s top post players who can play inside out and is extremely impactful in and around the rim while also being able to stretch it out to 15 feet from the high post.   <img class="wp-image-223305 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Andrea2-300x169.jpeg" alt="" width="559" height="315" /> [player_tooltip player_id="91494" first="Andrea" last="Daley"] (Miami Country Day / Miami Suns) – GEORGE WASHINGTON Daley was our highest ranked uncommitted player in the 2021 class choosing to sign with George Washington in Washington, DC this past week. Her signing gives GW a class of five in the 2021 Class <a href="https://gwsports.com/news/2020/11/13/womens-basketball-signs-five-in-class-of-2025.aspx">https://gwsports.com/news/2020/11/13/womens-basketball-signs-five-in-class-of-2025.aspx</a> Daley becomes the first Floridian to play at GW since Shannon Cranshaw and Hannah Schaible graduated in 2017. Daley was named Second Team All-State and First Team All-County as a junior, averaging 12.8 ppg and 8.1 rpg while advancing to the state semifinals with national powerhouse Miami Country Day. She also previously earned Honorable Mention All-County recognition as a sophomore. In my opinion, she is one of the classes top athletes and top rebounders alongside Alabama signee [player_tooltip player_id="91496" first="Kayla" last="Blackshear"]. Her activity and energy is extremely impressive as she always seems to be around the ball and consistently goes to the class on both ends of the floor. GW Head Coach Jennifer Rizzotti had these thoughts on Andrea on the signing press release "Andrea fits the mold of many of our highly successful forwards of the past. She is an elite athlete who creates easy offense both with her defensive rebounding and her ability to run the floor, offensive rebound and get us layups. I can’t wait to watch her grow her outside game at the college level and become a matchup nightmare."   <img class=" wp-image-223306 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/TG-VC-300x140.png" alt="" width="546" height="255" /> [player_tooltip player_id="219957" first="Taylor" last="Gardner"] (DME Academy / East Coast United North Florida) – FLAGLER Gardner was one of the state’s new faces for me this spring/summer during travel season having not seen her play a ton. She proved to be a tough, gritty, high IQ, scoring point guard who did a great job balancing getting her teammates involved while finding scoring opportunities for herself. The recent DME Academy transfer helped lead Creekside High School to a 16-9 record averaging 14.2 PPG 4.0 RPG, 2.4 APG and 3.0 SPG during her Junior season. Gardner had impressive performances each time I saw her with East Coast United North Florida showcasing great skill, an efficient floor game, very good decision making with limited turnovers, and great leadership.   <img class="size-medium wp-image-223307 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Zaida-241x300.png" alt="" width="241" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="91498" first="Zaida" last="Gonzalez"] (Palm Beach Lakes / FGB) – FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL New Head Coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley came to Miami after serving several seasons as an Assistant Coach at the University of South Florida and made it known that she wanted to recruit Florida, specifically the tri-county area of Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade Counties hard. Well she picks up one of the top South Florida players in the 2021 class in [player_tooltip player_id="91498" first="Zaida" last="Gonzalez"] in year # 1! The athletic wing averaged 14.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 3.2 SPG during junior campaign for Palm Beach Lakes. She was named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-County by PBC Hoops, Second Team All-County by the Palm Beach Post, and Second Team All while being named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2019 Jr. Orange Bowl Classic. She surpassed 1,000 career points this past season and helped lead Palm Beach Lakes to a District Championship, Regional Championship, and a Florida state 7A semi-final appearance in 2020. IN FIU’s press release of Gonzalez’s signing, she is quoted as to why she chose FIU: "I decided FIU because they pitched a great vision for me to be part of a new turn around for the program. They also were patient with me and spent a long time recruiting me and showing their strong interest. As the competitive player that I am, with a chip on my shoulder, I believe this program fits me well. I want to help change the culture and lead this team into being a true competitor in Conference USA. I am really excited to further my training with the FIU WBB coaching staff and, in addition, get my education specializing in Sports Psychology and Sport Management."   [player_tooltip player_id="91505" first="Isys" last="Grady"] (Mainland HS / DME Travel) – UNC-GREENSBORO <img class=" wp-image-223309 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/EmwJh_fXUAAqga0-300x300.jpeg" alt="" width="211" height="211" /> Grady made her decision to sign with UNC Greensboro on signing week, joining another Florida resident [player_tooltip player_id="91493" first="Nasia" last="Powell"] who will both head to Greensboro, NC next season giving the Spartans a signing class of 5 in the 2021 class. Grady was one of our top ranked players that remain uncommitted till this week. She is an elite level athlete with exceptional length and an even longer wing-span. She can cover ground on the defensive end both on and off the ball and her combination of height, length, and wingspan allows her to cover a ton of ground often able to get from sideline to sideline. In addition to Grady and Powell, UNC-Greensboro also already has Florida residents [player_tooltip player_id="91404" first="Jay’lin" last="Hastings"] (Deland High School) from the 2020 class and Jayla Johnson (Florida Prep) from the 2019 class on their roster. Looks like Head Coach Trina Patterson and staff will make Florida an area that they will recruit heavily during their time in Greensboro.   [player_tooltip player_id="145094" first="Nyla" last="Jean"] (HB Plant / East Coast United) – GEORGIA STATE The 5’8 guard from Tampa is one of the state’s top athletes. She is a lightning quick hard that can get baseline to baseline in a hurry with the ball in her hands. She is extremely dangerous in transition and will thrive in an up tempo system. And is impressive as she is on the offensive end, she is equally if not more impactful in the defensive side of the ball with her ability to pressure the basketball and get into passing lanes. She joins her HB Plant teammate [player_tooltip player_id="91489" first="Kendal" last="Cheesman"] making up a dangerous duo of D1 signees at Plant. You can check out some of her highlights from the Regional Quarterfinals by clicking <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10421873/5f2a268b688fd70834428399">HERE</a>.   [player_tooltip player_id="91492" first="Jahnae" last="Midget"] (Seminole Ridge / Wellington Wolves) - PALM BEACH ATLANTIC Midget made the decision to sign with local D2 college Palm Beach Atlantic. As noted in the recent article nominating her as one of Palm Beach County’s pre-season top five (click <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2020/11/the-preseason-palm-beach-county-five/">HERE</a>) the 5’11 wing averaged 23.5 PPG and 8 RPG for Seminole Ridge where she totally helped change the Seminole Ridge program helping them to the schools 1st Ever District title. She is a two time 1st Team All County and was runner up Palm Beach County Player of the Year. In addition to her impressive scoring and rebounding ability, where she nearly averaged a double double, she also averaged 3 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Look for Midget to be an impact player for PBA upon arrival on campus.   <img class=" wp-image-223311 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Emaq_tzW4AEzCOY-300x300.jpeg" alt="" width="234" height="234" />[player_tooltip player_id="219958" first="Amou" last="Ring"] (West Oaks Academy / DME Travel) – EMBRY RIDDLE Ring length and versatility is impressive, and her potential is through the roof. She is super long and mainly plays on the wing and has deep range from 3 but also can go insider and use her size and length to score at the rim and be an effective rebounder. She recently transferred from The Rock School to West Oaks Academy along with her younger sister 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="219955" first="Adout" last="Ring"]. Ring along with [player_tooltip player_id="219957" first="Taylor" last="Gardner"], [player_tooltip player_id="91498" first="Zaida" last="Gonzalez"], and [player_tooltip player_id="91492" first="Jahnae" last="Midget"] continue the trend of Florida players choosing to stay in state as noted in one of our recent articles (click <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2020/11/2021-florida-prospects-choose-to-stay-home-and-play-in-state/">HERE</a>).     <img class=" wp-image-223313 aligncenter" style="font-size: 1rem;" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/EmyxQGnVEAEiPVL-300x207.jpeg" alt="" width="414" height="286" /> [player_tooltip player_id="91490" first="Mikyla" last="Tolivert"] (Palm Bay Magnet / East Coast United) – GEORGIA STATE Tolivert had a big time Junior season for Palm Bay finishing # 2 in the nation in FG% with 63% and # 9 in the nation in PPG with 31 points per game per MaxPreps leading her team to a historic season and an appearance in the FHSAA Elite 8. The high academic, skilled PG had impressive numbers in addition to 31 points per game and 63% from field she also averaged 8 rebounds, 6 steals, 3 assists while maintaining a 3.73 GPA, 21 ACT and 1080 SAT. For the impressive numbers she took home a number of accolades including Florida Dairy Farmer Miss Basketball, Florida FACA 5A Player of the Year, Florida FACA District 12 Player of the Year, FACA 1st Team All State, FACA All-Academic Team, FABC 1st Team ALL State, Cape Coast 1st Team, Breakfast of Champions Basketball Player of the Year, @321SportsCast Player of the Year, Florida Today All Decade Team. Georgia State his getting a High Basketball IQ, dangerous scorer, who impacts all aspects of the game! Her decision to choose Georgia State pairs her with fellow Floridian [player_tooltip player_id="145094" first="Nyla" last="Jean"] to make up a Florida backcourt headed to Georgia in 2021!   Updated 2021 Verbal Commitments/Signees as of 11/15/20 [player_tooltip player_id="146971" first="Daniella" last="Aronsky"] (American Heritage / Miami Suns) – EMORY UNIVERSITY [player_tooltip player_id="215661" first="Adrianna" last="Atkinson"] (Westminster Academy / Essence Black) – OGELTHORPE UNIV Trish Balser (Ponte Vedra / East Coast United Florida) – BATES COLLEGE Skylar Baltezeger (Middleburg) – CHARLESTON SOUTH [player_tooltip player_id="91496" first="Kayla" last="Blackshear"] (Lake Highland Prep / Central Florida Elite) – ALABAMA [player_tooltip player_id="91508" first="Emani" last="Burks"] (Palm Bay Magnet / East Coast United) – SOUTH ALABAMA [player_tooltip player_id="91489" first="Kendal" last="Cheesman"] (HB Plant HS / Tampa Bay Thunder) – VANDERBILT [player_tooltip player_id="91481" first="Chaniya" last="Clark"] (Fort Myers HS / Team Knight) – NORTH CAROLINA A&T [player_tooltip player_id="91528" first="Abigail" last="Crain"] (Windermere) BELMONT ABBEY [player_tooltip player_id="91494" first="Andrea" last="Daley"] (Miami Country Day / Miami Suns) – GEORGE WASHINGTON [player_tooltip player_id="151264" first="Courtni" last="Demorest"] (Santa Fe Catholic) – PALM BEACH ATLANTIC [player_tooltip player_id="91511" first="Morgan" last="Dillard"] – (Seminole HS / East Coast United North Florida) – SOUTHERN MISS [player_tooltip player_id="91503" first="Ary" last="Dizon"] (Carrollwood Day School) – VERMONT Zora Fray-Chin (Timber Creek) - WRIGHT STATE [player_tooltip player_id="91540" first="Jessamy" last="Gaetanos"] (St. Joseph / East Coast United Florida) – OGELTHORPE UNIV [player_tooltip player_id="219957" first="Taylor" last="Gardner"] (DME Academy / East Coast United North Florida) – FLAGLER [player_tooltip player_id="91525" first="K’Nisha" last="Godfrey"] (Tampa Bay Tech / Essence) – MISSISSIPPI STATE [player_tooltip player_id="91498" first="Zaida" last="Gonzalez"] (Palm Beach Lakes / FGB) – FIU [player_tooltip player_id="91505" first="Isys" last="Grady"] (DME) – UNC-GREENSBORO [player_tooltip player_id="91479" first="O’Mariah" last="Gordon"] – (Braden River / Team Knight) – FLORIDA STATE Kirsten Grindel (Santa Fe Catholic) – MAINE MARITIME [player_tooltip player_id="219992" first="Harsimran" last="Kaur"] (Central Pointe Academy) – SAN DIEGO [player_tooltip player_id="145093" first="Niveya" last="Henley"] (Montverde Academy) – FURMAN Shanelle Heredia – ROLLINS Chimera Iloanya (Seffner Christian) – TENNESSEE STATE [player_tooltip player_id="91483" first="Eno" last="Inyang"] (St. Cloud HS / East Coast United) – CLEMSON [player_tooltip player_id="145094" first="Nyla" last="Jean"] (HB Plant / East Coast United) – GEORGIA STATE [player_tooltip player_id="146975" first="Emily" last="Jimenez"] (Cardinal Gibbons / Team Knight) – MONMOUTH [player_tooltip player_id="91512" first="Kassidy" last="Jones"] (Santa Fe Catholic) – MERCER Cassidy Lowe (Boca Raton High School / BD Thunder) – DILLARD UNIVERSITY Chyna Mattair (Dillard HS / South Florida Spartans) – SAINT LEO [player_tooltip player_id="91486" first="Christen" last="McCann"] (LPA) - YALE [player_tooltip player_id="215662" first="Sharale" last="McCormick"] (Cardinal Gibbons) – FLAGLER [player_tooltip player_id="91550" first="Morgan" last="McDaniel"] (Wesley Chapel HS) – MAINE MARITIME [player_tooltip player_id="91484" first="Mya" last="McGraw"] (PK Yonge) UNC CHARLOTTE Christell Mentor (Cardinal Newman / Wellington Wolves) – UNIV MAINE AT AUGUSTA [player_tooltip player_id="91492" first="Jahnae" last="Midget"] (Seminole Ridge / Wellington Wolves) PALM BEACH ATLANTIC [player_tooltip player_id="146976" first="Sierra" last="Moore"] (Cape Coral) – NICHOLLS STATE Jayna Outten (Fort Myers / Team Knight) - FURMAN [player_tooltip player_id="91493" first="Nasia" last="Powell"] (Vanguard) – UNC GREENSBORO Emma Perna (Spruce Creek) – OGELTHORPE UNIV [player_tooltip player_id="91506" first="Isabella" last="Prada"] (Bishop McGlaughlin) – ROLLINS COLLEGE [player_tooltip player_id="91517" first="Deborah" last="Reese"] (Lincoln Park Academy / East Coast United) – SOUTH ALABAMA [player_tooltip player_id="219958" first="Amou" last="Ring"] (West Oaks Academy / DME Travel) – EMBRY RIDDLE [player_tooltip player_id="91482" first="Jasmyne" last="Roberts"] (Bishop Kenny / FGB) – MIAMI [player_tooltip player_id="151166" first="Jordyn" last="Robinson"] (Gulf Coast) – WARNER UNIVERSITY [player_tooltip player_id="151185" first="Zeli" last="Rodriguez"] (Bishop Moore / South Beach Elite) – CHATHAM UNIVERSITY [player_tooltip player_id="220018" first="Angel" last="Roman"] – KANSAS WESLEYAN [player_tooltip player_id="91564" first="Jordan" last="Rosier"] (Florida State University HS / Central Florida Elite) – SOUTH ALABAMA [player_tooltip player_id="91552" first="Whitney" last="Rush"] (East Lake HS / South Beach Elite) – MISSOURI S&T [player_tooltip player_id="91500" first="Samara" last="Spencer"] (St. Thomas Aquinas / Miami Suns) – ARKANSAS [player_tooltip player_id="91497" first="Violette" last="Skipworth"] (Pace HS) – FLORIDA SOUTHWESTERN STATE [player_tooltip player_id="220358" first="Kyra" last="Stauble"] (St. Augustine / East Coast United N Florida) - UNIV OF WEST FLORIDA [player_tooltip player_id="91485" first="Kyla" last="Thomas"] (DME Travel / Dillard HS) – LANDER UNIVERSITY Mikayla Tolivert (Palm Bay Magnet / East Coast United) – GEORGIA STATE [player_tooltip player_id="91534" first="Ava" last="Toone"] (IMG Academy) – LOYOLA MARYMOUNT [player_tooltip player_id="151280" first="Mesi" last="Triplett"] (West Oaks Academy / KA Nightmares) – LA TECH [player_tooltip player_id="91480" first="Erin" last="Turral"] Stony Brook (Florida State HS / FGB) – STONY BROOK [player_tooltip player_id="91531" first="Amareya" last="Turner"] (Palatka HS / FGB) – NORTH GREENVILLE [player_tooltip player_id="145091" first="Mariana" last="Valenzuela"] (Montverde Academy / FBC Team Mo) – FLORIDA STATE [player_tooltip player_id="91499" first="Emma" last="Wallhoff"] (Westminster Academy / Team Knight) – SOUTHERN MISS [player_tooltip player_id="91487" first="Bella" last="Weary"] (DME Academy / East Coast United) – UNIV SOUTH FLORIDA [player_tooltip player_id="91491" first="Ja’Leah" last="Williams"] (Blanche Ely HS / Team Knight) – MIAMI [player_tooltip player_id="145092" first="Tatyana" last="Wyche"] (American Heritage / Team Knight) – FLORIDA [player_tooltip player_id="91549" first="Taliyah" last="Wyche"] (American Heritage / Team Knight) – FLORIDA [player_tooltip player_id="91530" first="Triniti" last="Youngblood"] (Brooks Collegiate / East Coast United) – SAINT LEO Zoe Zeitlin (Boca Raton / BD Thunder) – CHATHAM UNIVERSITY   This is an up to date list of 2021 prospects that have verbally committed or signed to play college basketball next year. If we missed anyone or any of this info is incorrect, please email me at WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com or DM me at <a href="http://www.Twitter.com/WholeyPrepHoops">@WholeyPrepHoops</a>. We will continue to keep this list updated throughout the 2020-21 HS season.