Class of 2024 Verbally Committed Players Stocking Up

By Michael Wholey 7/24/23 7:00 AM EST   The class of 2024 recruiting cycle is in go mode.  Going into July, several players had either narrowed down their list     <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/Lexi-Blue-BS-Orl-2024.png?w=659" alt="" class="wp-image-572960" width="245" height="244"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='217664' first='Lexi' last='Blue'] (Lake Highland Prep / Central Florida Elite 3SSB) - Virginia Tech   Blue, a 6'2 Guard / Wing, announced this week that she has verbally committed to Virginia Tech.  Blue has been on the radar of college coaches for some time now with a number of offers including Tennessee, Ohio State, Louisville, Arizona, Kentucky, Michigan, Texas A&M, and more.  Her height, length, wingspan, and versatility are very unique and give her a huge upside.  Virginia Tech Head Coach Kenny Brooks is an excellent developer of talent and with VT coming off a final four, it will be fun to see Blue work her way into the Hokies system over the next 4 years and hopefully play in a couple more final fours.      Sierra Dauer (IMG Academy / FBG 17U CWW) – Davidson   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/UOjNQOuv_400x400.jpeg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-667401" width="362" height="362"/></figure>   Dauer went on a bit of a worldwide tour in June visiting a number of colleges both officially and unofficially.  Having strong performances in April, May, and July with [program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='FGB' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last=''], her talents got the attention of a number of mid major and high academic universities.  In the end, she chose Davidson, highlighting the coaching staff and the strong academic reputation.  It has been a big summer for Dauer, as the full scholarship from Davidson is not the only scholarship she has accepted , as last month a scholarship for IMG Academy after they established a Women in Sports Committee to develop programs and other initiatives for young women to have accessibility and participation in sports and Dauer was one of six selected where she will be paired up with former tennis great Lindsay Davenport as a mentor off the court while attending IMG in Florida.     [player_tooltip player_id='214172' first='Beckham' last='Hockley'] (Sickles HS / ECU Family 2024) – Saginaw Valley   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/06/IMG_7353-e1623249380661.jpg?w=416" alt="" class="wp-image-296117" width="235" height="269"/></figure>     Hockley, is one of the areas top point guards, doing an excellent job of handling the ball, serving as a distributor while finding her spots to be a scorer both from the 3 point line and attacking off the dribble.  She has a high IQ, deep range, and is a good decision maker who never gets sped up by opposing defenses, playing with good composure.  Hockley recently made the decision to verbally commit to Saginaw Valley, a D2 college in Michigan, joining Assistant Coach Rob McDonald, who recently served as a coach for [program_tooltip program_id='713109' first='East' last='Coast United'] in Florida.        [player_tooltip player_id='243885' first='Jada' last='Eads'] (Lake Highland Prep / Central Florida Elite 3SSB) – Seton Hall   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/04/Jada-Eads.jpeg?w=540" alt="" class="wp-image-635824" width="274" height="274"/></figure>       Eads scoring ability has been written about often on this site and she has now decided to take her talents north to Seton Hall University.  The tiny but mighty scoring guard is relentless with the ball in her hands and consistently puts pressure on opposing defenses with her ability to knock it down from deep, attack off the bounce, and get into the paint and create havoc.  She has an explosive first step, excellent handle, and deep 3 point range, making it difficult for defenders to prevent her from filling up the stat sheet.      [player_tooltip player_id='248261' first='Malayna' last='Stevenson'] (Gateway HS / [program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='FGB' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last=''] Elite 17U) – University of Tampa   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/06/IMG_2295-scaled.jpeg?w=677" alt="" class="wp-image-452293" width="196" height="296"/></figure>       Stevenson, is a big, 5'11 guard that is a playmaker.  She uses her height and wingspan well and is crafty attacking off the bounce and getting to the rim.  She has a strong offensive skill set and a scorer's mentality, consistently looking to put the ball in the basket. Her versatile skill set allows her to play 2-3-4 and is matchup nightmare for defenders.  After a strong first half of July with [program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='FGB' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last=''], Stevenson has elected to stay local and verbally committed to University of Tampa.        Rose Gravel (Trinity Catholic / [program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='FGB' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']) – Anderson University   Gravel, a 5'11 wing/forward recently verbally committed to Anderson University after a strong April, May, and first half of July with [program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='FGB' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']' last=''].  She has a strong offensive skill set that she uses well with the combo of her size and strength.  She can put the ball to the floor off the bounce and absorb contact while attacking as well as at the rim.  She does a good job playing at her pace, not playing too fast, not playing too slow and is a good decision maker with a high IQ.      [player_tooltip player_id='349276' first='Faith' last='Wener'] (City of Life Christian Academy / [program_tooltip program_id='713109' first='East' last='Coast United']) – McNeese State   Faith, recently decided to join her sister Grace, and verbally commit to McNeese State, making it a family affair.  At 6'1, Faith is a versatile guard/wing that averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds per game this past high school season.  She uses her height and skill set well on the offensive end, scoring over the top of defenders and advancing the ball vs pressure using her court vision.      Not just class of 2024 players have been making college decisions, as recently one of the class of 2025 players made her decision as well.    Rocio Jimenez (Central Pointe Christian Academy) – Mississippi State   Jimenez, 6'7 has been one of the biggest stock risers during the evaluation period on the travel circuit picking of offers from a number of D1 schools including Auburn, Charlottle, Miami, Ole Miss, Louisville and Mississippi State.  Originally from the Dominican Republic, Jimenez burst onto the scene having really only picked up basketball in the last 2 years.  The intrigue is Jimenez potential as she is long, athletic, and raw with a high upside.  Deciding to make an early decision, Jimenez is one of the first class of 2025 players to make a decision, verbally committing to Mississippi State this July.        Michael Wholey is the lead scout for Florida Prep Girls Hoop Florida and a former division one Assistant Coach at American University, University of Memphis, and Georgia Tech.  Wholey and the rest of the Prep Girls Hoop staff, seek to cover the entire state of player, keeping subscribers up to date with player evaluations, recruiting info, and statewide news.  Our audience often supplies us with some of our best information.  If you have any information on players, teams, or statewide news in the state of Florida, emailing Michael Wholey at WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com or DM him through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops.

By Michael Wholey 7/24/23 7:00 AM EST