Rutgers Women's Basketball Announces 2008 Recruiting Class
Nov 14 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Jasmine Dixon (Long Beach, Calif.), Chelsey Lee (Miami, Fla.), Brooklyn Pope (Fort Worth, Texas), Nikki Speed (Pasadena, Calif.) and April Sykes (Crawford, Miss.) have signed national letters of intent to join the Rutgers women's basketball program beginning in the fall of 2008, 13th-year head coach C. Vivian Stringer has announced.
"This is a special class to me," said Stringer. "Each of these young women is different in their own way, but it's probably because of that difference and the combination of blending those differences that makes for what can be seen as a dangerous and explosive group. The addition of these outstanding recruits gives us a talented core of players for years to come."
Stringer added, "We are thrilled these five young ladies have decided to make Rutgers part of their family."
Dixon, a 6-1 guard/forward, was named a third-team Parade All-American as a junior at Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, Calif. Rated the No. 6 overall player by All Star Girls Report, Dixon is also rated No. 8 at the guard position by hoopgurlz.com. Dixon helped lead Poly to the California Division title last spring, averaging 15 points on the season. The Jackrabbits finished the season ranked No. 2 nationally with a 35-1 ledger and are ranked the preseason No. 1 high school team nationally this year. Dixon plays travel basketball for Finest Basketball Club (FBC), coached by Ray Mayes.
"Jasmine is one of the most explosive, versatile and punishing guards that you will see. She's a winner and has a tremendous nose for the ball," Stringer said of Dixon. "She has outstanding athleticism and the capability of being versatile at both the guard spot and inside in the post. Her combination of size, speed and athleticism is extraordinary."
Lee, a 6-2 forward, averaged 18 points and 17 rebounds last season at Miami Pace. She is competing for Parkway Academy her senior season. Rated the 20th player overall by Blue Star Report and No. 23 by All Star Girls Report/Michael T White, Lee was a First Team All-Dade County selection and a Second Team All-State 4A honoree in 2007. Rated the No. 6 forward by hoopgurlz, Lee is a member of the Florida-based AAU team Essence, coached by Kim and Kelvin Powell.
"Chelsey is an outstanding player who has explosive potential. She runs the floor in the typical fashion of the outstanding big people that we've had in years past," Stringer noted of the Florida product. "Every time I see her play she improves and gets so much better. The sky is truly the limit for her as a player."
Pope, a 6-2 talent from Texas, helped lead Dunbar High School to the Class 4 state championship as a junior. Pope is ranked the No. 8 player overall by Blue Star Girls Report and No. 9 overall by hoopgurlz.com. Rated the No. 1 forward by Scout.com, Pope has competed at the Nike Skills Academy and was an adidas Top Ten Camp Underclass All-Star in 2006. In addition, the Texas product was selected a 2007 Fifth Team, Street & Smith All-America and a 2006 USA Today Super 25. Pope plays travel ball for DFW Elite and coaches Daryl Horton and Marques Jackson.
"Brooklyn is explosive and quick on the floor and her ability to jump is phenomenal," said Stringer. "The strength that she has is jaw-dropping. She can hit the three but at the same time is an excellent shot blocker, a true all-around player."
Speed, a 5-9 point guard from Pasadena, Calif., averaged 11 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists for Marlborough School as a junior. Rated the fifth-best guard by hoopgurlz, Speed scored 20 of her career-best 25 points in the second half to lead the Mustangs to the Division IV (Calif.) championship last spring. An adidas Top Ten All-Star MVP in 2006, Speed is rated No. 8 by All Star Girls Report and No. 16 by Blue Star. She, along with Dixon, competes for the travel team FBC Blue.
"Nikki is electrifying. She has a bright mind, she's quick and she's agile," Stringer remarked of the California native. "I think anyone who's playing the game should be excited to see Nikki Speed. If you get yourself a little bit free she's going to find you. On top of that she's vocal and plays with high intensity."
The last signee is April Sykes, a 5-11 forward from Mississippi. Rated the second-best player in this year's entire class by hoopgurlz, Sykes was a Second Team Street & Smith All-America and a MaxPreps All-America in 2006. Named First Team All-State by the Clarion-Ledger, Sykes plays scholastically for East Oktibbeha County High School. In addition to hoopgurlz, Sykes is ranked No. 3 overall by both Blue Star and by All Star Girls Report. Sykes is a teammate of Lee's on the Essence club team.
"April is one of the most mature, versatile players in the country. She has a great body frame, high level of skill, and can play multiple positions. She reminds me of a veteran pro player in that she never seems rushed or uncomfortable with anything," Stringer said. "April is a high intensity person who has the ability to see the game as all great players do, which is slow."
Stringer notes of the entire class, "Not only are these young women outstanding players and leaders, but they are all proven winners."
