Prospect Watch - May 26

A look at some of the nation's top prospects, including Dee Dee Jernigan (left) of East Chicago, Ind., and Gloria Brown of Philadelphia. Jernigan finally makes her choice after being released from her commitment to Purdue.

One of the nation’s top guards in the 2006 class, Dee Dee Jernigan has signed with Rutgers University in the late signing period, completing what is one of the nation’s best recruiting classes for the Scarlet Knights. Jernigan was released from her original letter of intent with Purdue after Kristi Curry and her coaching staff departed.

Jernigan brings her strong 5-foot-11 frame to a team known for playing tough physical defense under head coach C. Vivian Stringer. She can play both guard spots thanks to her size and quickness. Jernigan joins four other top 50 players, according to rankings compiled by HoopGurlz.com and Full Court Press - Epiphany Prince, Myia McCurdy, Brittany Ray and Rashidat Junaid – in a class for Rutgers rivaled only by USC and Stanford out West.

“We are delighted to have Dee Dee join our Scarlet Knight family,” Stringer said. “She is an outstanding guard who has the ability to penetrate and kick out, as well as shoot the outside jumper. Dee Dee is extremely quick, and she possesses a natural feel for the game. She is just a very special person, and we are anxious and excited to have her join us here at Rutgers.”

Jernigan was a part of the nation’s two biggest senior events in the McDonald’s All-American Game and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association all-star game. She made Parade Magazine’s All-American Third team and was ranked in the Top 25 by Scout.com. In her tenure at East Chicago Central High School (East Chicago, Ind.) she earned Associated Press All-State Honors as a junior and senior.

New England News

Many people have never heard of Tanna Ross because she has been limited after her ACL tear last fall, but this summer it is expected that she will break the hearts of many college coaches when they find out the hometown school, the University of Maine, received a verbal commitment from her this past Tuesday. Just this week she began playing again and she was intent on getting the recruiting process over early, according to her traveling team coach Kara Leary. The 6-1 wing plays her summer ball with the New England Crusaders and attends Hampden Academy where she plays her school ball. She’s an athletic kid who can play both guard positions and because of her size and athleticism even the small forward position. She has the ability to hit the three and has great hops. Villanova was also heavily recruiting her.

Maine wasn’t done this week when Thursday night they received a verbal commitment from 6-2 forward Tonya Young from Mascoma High School in New Hampshire. She had been leaning toward Maine for some time and decided to end the recruiting process before the busy summer tournament schedule kicked in the New England Crusaders. Young was the Class M Player of the Year this year in New Hampshire and she has a lot of upside. Vermont and Hartford were also being considered with numerous A-10, Patriot League and CAA conference schools heavily recruiting her.

A day later Ross’ New England Crusaders teammate, 6-2 forward Kerry Cashman (Exeter High School) committed to Boston University. Yet another Crusader, 6-3 post Stefanie Murphy, filled Boston College’s need for a big by verbally committing recently. Murphy will be able to play the four or the five for B.C., which has found quite a few players in Coach Leary’s program over the years. Perhaps the top rated player in McLeary’s program, Ashley Cimino, who will take over the lead roll for Leary with Ayla Brown’s graduation, has applied to Stanford and should know in June her admissions status. Stanford is one of the few schools that will not offer a kid a scholarship until the prospective student-athlete is admitted.

Rim Shots

Gloria Brown, a 6-foot-2 post out of Philadelphia, is a player who will command attention on the summer circuit. According to her Neumann-Goretti High School coach Chip Reitano, Brown has great hands and leaping ability and her forte is rebounding. “Gloria is an amazing player to watch; she can do so much on the court,” Reitano says. “When the ball is anywhere near her, she will get it. She is an incredible offensive rebounder who just explodes to the boards. She is a terrific shot-blocker with great jumping ability. Gloria will make an impact at the college level.” Brown has the most interest from Clemson, Delaware, East Carolina, James Madison, La Salle, Miami and St. Joseph's, Reitano said. … Katelyn Gilliam, a 5-9 guard out of Fresno, Calif., has the interest from a spate of Ivy League schools, including Columbia, Harvard, and Princeton. In addition to making a strong transition to the point-guard position, Gilliam, who plays for Sanger High School, also carries a 4.0 grade-point average. She also has attracted attention from Hawaii and Utah State, according to her high-school coach, Steve Case. Gilliam has been an all-league and all-county choice the past two years. … Guards Brittany Helm, of Baton Rouge, La., and Lynette Jacobs, of San Bernadino, Calif., have signed National Letters of Intent with San Jose State. Helm is a three-time all-state performer who helped guide Glen Oaks High to a Louisiana 4A championship and two runners-up finishes. Jacobs was one of the state of California’s top scorers at 26 points per game.

Glenn Nelson also contributed to this report

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Chris Hansen is the National Director of Scouting for Women's Basketball at HoopGurlz.com and Scout.com. Chris leads the panel that evaluates and ranks girl's basketball prospects nationally for HoopGurlz, Scout.com and Full Court Press (www.FullCourt.com). Chris has been involved in the women’s basketball community since 1998 as a coach, trainer, evaluator and reporter. He can be reached at [e-mail].