Maryland Signs Top-Ranked Class
11/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball, Terrapin Athletics
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland women's basketball team will welcome the No. 1 freshman class in the country next season, head coach Brenda Frese announced Wednesday. Kaila Charles (Glendale, Md.), Stephanie Jones (Havre de Grace, Md.), Sarah Myers (Cumming, Ga.), Destiny Slocum (Meridian, Idaho), Jenna Staiti (Cumming, Ga.) and Blair Watson (Nutley, N.J.) make up the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, as ranked by ESPN, Blue Star Basketball and Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. This is the 11th top 10 recruiting class signed by Frese in her 14 years under Maryland. Twice, Frese brought in the No. 2 recruiting class, back in 2007 and 2010.
MUST WATCH! Meet our amazing class of 2016, the No. 1 class in the country! #TerpFamily 🐢❤️🏀 https://t.co/RuY1zEpcxQ
— Maryland WBB (@umdwbb) November 11, 2015
— Maryland WBB (@umdwbb) November 11, 2015
How 6 of the nation's best basketball recruits all wound up at @umdwbb. https://t.co/nzUElIZWdf pic.twitter.com/I5HKYNOtXu
— espnW (@espnW) October 22, 2015
Four of the six newest Terrapins are ranked in ESPN's Top 30. Maryland is the only school with more than two players among the Top 50. Slocum is the highest-ranked, coming in at No. 7. Stati is also in ESPN's Top 20, ranked at No. 17 and the No. 3 post. Charles is ranked No. 25 and Watson is No. 28. Jones, the younger sister of current Terrapin Brionna Jones, is ranked No. 51 by ESPN and Myers is a three-star guard.
"Overall this is one of the most elite classes we have signed in my time at Maryland," Frese said. "It is a class that has fire power in every position. Every piece, every single player fits in the overall scheme of what we want to bring here to Maryland to help us continue to win championships. Each player comes from a terrific family and every single player knows how to win. This class was at least three years in the making so I can't thank the various staff members enough for all of the work they put in on it from start to finish. The future of Maryland women's basketball is in great hands.”
Kaila Charles • 5-11 • Wing
Hometown: Glendale, Md.
High School: Riverdale Baptist (Sam Caldwell)
AAU Team: Team Takeover (Ron James)
About Charles: Named the No. 25 overall player by both ESPN and the Collegiate Girls Report and No. 21 by the All Star Girls Report...played first three years at Eleanor Roosevelt High School...averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds as a junior...helped lead Roosevelt team to 72-5 record in three years...named team MVP in all three years at Roosevelt...earned First Team All-Met honors by The Washington Post as a sophomore and junior...led team to 2014 and 2015 Class AAAA State Championships...named The Gazette Player of the Year...reached 1,000 career points as a junior..named Next Sports Phenom Player of the Month in February 2015.
Brenda Frese on Charles: “A two-time Maryland state champion who we knew we wanted from the day we laid our eyes on her. She knows how to win. She comes from tremendous genes as her Mom an older sister both ran track in the Olympics. She is over 6-feet tall and really knows how to use her speed and athleticism to get up and down the floor. She is extremely versatile playing inside and out and rebounds extremely hard. She will also give us a tremendous presence on the defensive end.”
Sam Caldwell on Charles: "I have been blessed to have the opportunity to coach some very good athletes. Without a doubt Kaila Charles is one of the best right now. Her tireless work ethic is infectious, she trains like a champion every day. She's a great athlete, and more importantly she's a great person. I'm glad God allowed our paths to cross.”
Ron James on Charles: "I have been blessed to have coached a number of great players over the years and I am comfortable saying that Kaila Charles is amongst the best of them. She is the ultimate competitor and I have never witnessed her taking a play off . Her personality, work ethic and drive are character traits that Coach Frese, the coaching staff, and Terrapin fans alike will surely love. The entire Team Takeover family want to wish Kaila much success at the University of Maryland."
Kaila Charles on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because it is a amazing school, with great people! The atmosphere is fantastic and the people are even better. From a basketball view, they are a winning and well-known program. The coaches are genuine and caring! The players are great! They are fun on and off the court, and they are always ready to put in work!"
Stephanie Jones • 6-2 • Forward
Hometown: Havre de Grace, Md.
High School: Aberdeen High School (Amber Milnes)
AAU Team: Fairfax Stars (Aggie McCormick)
About Jones: Named the No. 51 overall player by both ESPN and the Collegiate Girls Report and No. 35 by the All Star Girls Report...helped lead Aberdeen to AAA State Title as a freshman and as a junior...averaged 19.5 points and 12 rebounds as a junior...has scored 1451 points through three years...once scored 46 points during sophomore season...named First Team All-Metro, First Team All-Harford County in all three years...named to 695 Hoops First Team as a sophomore and junior and named 695 Freshman of the Year in 2013...made USA Today First Team All-State as a junior, Second Team as a sophomore and Honorable Mention as a sophomore...made Title IX All-Tournament Team in 2015, All-Tournament Mayors Academy and First Team IAABO Christmas Tournament in 2014...UCBAC Player of the Year in 2013...named to USJN 16U All-Tournament Team in 2014...helped Fairfax Stars to USJN 13U national title in 2011 and 12U national title in 2010.
Brenda Frese on Jones: “It's a pleasure to add another Jones sibling in Stephanie to the Maryland family. It only makes sense and what a terrific experience with her family and to play along her big sister, Brionna. Stephanie is another player that comes in and only knows how to win after leading her high school team Aberdeen to a state championship title in her career. Stephanie can play inside and out and handle the ball. She is a tremendous competitor that is going to do all of the little intangible things to help a team accomplish great things."
Amber Milnes on Jones: “Stephanie is that perfect balance of natural height and agility, making her a defensive nightmare. She can shoot the perimeter too well to be guarded by a forward, but can see and drive the post over a guard. "
Aggie McCormick on Jones: "Stephanie is special. Not only is she an incredible force at 6'2, but she is the ultimate team player and just a great person. I was privileged to have been around her and have the opportunity to coach her. She will do great things at Maryland.”
Stephanie Jones on Maryland: "I chose to go to Maryland because of my relationship with Coach Frese and because it's always been a dream of mine to play on a big stage, which the atmosphere and fans at Maryland will allow me to do."
Sarah Myers • 5-10 • Guard
Hometown: Cumming, Ga.
High School: South Forsyth High School (Keith Gravitt)
AAU Team: Georgia Metros (Matt Huddleston)
About Myers: Ranked No. 92 overall player by the All Star Girls Report...four-year starter at South Forsyth...averaged 21.0 points per game as a junior in 2015...team won Region 6-AAAAAA title and she was named Tournament MVP as a junior...named to the 2015 Naismith All-Metro Third Team...made the Region 6-AAAAAA All Region Team in all three years of her career...led team in scoring as a junior...reached 1,000 career points as a sophomore in 2014...named to the Region 6-AAAAAA All Tournament Team...helped lead South Forsyth to the 2014 State Final Four...named the 2014 Forsyth County Tip-Off Club Player of the Year...2015, 2014, 2013 Offensive Player of the Year at South Forsyth...named to 2013 All County Team by Forsyth County Tip-Off Club...earned 2014 AJC Georgia All State Second Team honors...team captain as a sophomore and junior...named to the 2014 All Tournament Team at the CresCom Bank Invitational in Myrtle Beach. the 2013 MVP of the Holiday on the Hardwoods Tournament in Cherokee, N.C., 2014, 2013, 2012 Player of the Month, December by the Forsyth County Tip-Off Club.. the 2015, 2014 XL-212 MVP South Forsyth HS...the 2015 GACA All-State Girls Basketball Team-North.
Brenda Frese on Myers: “Sarah is a 5-11 wing player that has tremendous size, energy and an IQ to help us a ton. She is a glue type of player that does a little bit of everything to help her team win in any way. She can shoot the ball from the perimeter, rebound, set teammates up and hit clutch shots. She is someone that is always in the gym working on her game. She is going to be help us in a variety of ways.”
Keith Gravitt on Myers: "Sarah is one of the most complete basketball players I have seen. She is a winner, with her family, her teammates, her spiritual life, in the classroom and on the court. She inspires her teammates to be better and encourages them through developing personal relationships and a firm understanding of accountability. I feel blessed and humbled to have gotten the opportunity to coach Sarah and recognize how she has helped me become a better person and coach!”
Matt Huddleston on Myers: "Sarah never leaves the floor without giving it her all. Her work ethic and competitive spirit is unmatched and will fit perfectly with the championship atmosphere at Maryland. Her motor seems to have no limits!"
Sarah Myers on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because they fulfilled my vision of the dream school. Their style of basketball led by Coach Frese paired with amazing academic opportunities led me to an easy decision."
Destiny Slocum • 5-7 • Point Guard
Hometown: Meridien, Idaho
High School: Mountain View High School (Connie Skogrand )
AAU Team: Boise Hoop Dreams (Shambric Williams)
About Slocum: Ranked the No. 7 overall player by both ESPN, All Star Girls Report and the Collegiate Girls Report...earned Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year honors after averaging 25.1 points, 5.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals as a junior...led Mountain View to its first state title and record of 26-1 in her junior season...named Idaho Player of the Year as a junior and conference Player of the Year as a junior and freshman...has earned First Team All-State honors in all three years of her career...point guard for U.S. Under-19 team...helped lead Team USA to a gold medal in Moscow in the FIBA World Championships in the summer of 2015.
Brenda Frese on Slocum: “The first player from Idaho we have ever signed. Our fans are going to love the flare and energy that Destiny plays with. She is a winner through and through. She won her first gold medal with USA Basketball this past summer and led her high school team to it's first-ever state championship as well. She can do it all…loves to pass first, can score, defend and has a really high IQ. She is a true elite point guard which is the single hardest player to land in our sport. She is going to be a joy to watch for the next four years.”
Connie Skogrand on Slocum: "Destiny is the best player I have ever coached. Her passion for the game of basketball makes her a premier point guard. She's a student of het game. She's a leader and you can count on her to make clutch plays at crunch time.”
Shambric Williams on Slocum: "Destiny is the 'whole package.' She's a great teammate, she makes those around her better, she can score from anywhere on the court, and her ability to defend and communicate on the floor are second to none. Players like Destiny don't come around too often."
Destiny Slocum on Maryland: "I chose the Maryland for its team atmosphere and program prestige. I also enjoyed the feel the team had and also the coaches. I chose Maryland because it's the right fit for me."
Jenna Staiti • 6-6 • Center
Hometown: Cumming, Ga.
High School: West Forsyth High School (David May)
AAU Team: Georgia Metros (Matt Huddleston)
About Staiti: Named the No. 17 overall player by both ESPN and the Collegiate Girls Report and the No. 1 player in the state of Georgia...also ranked No. 29 player overall by the All Star Girls Report...averaged 29 points, 16 rebounds, while shooting 71 percent from the field in her junior season at West Forsyth...earned First Team All-State honors as a junior in 2015 and Second Team as a sophomore in 2014...named the Forsyth County Player of the Year as a sophomore and junior...named Region Player of the Year as a junior...named to the Naismith Second Team as a junior in 2015 and Honorable Mention as a sophomore in 2014...XL-212 Player of the Year in 2015...named to the All-Region team in all three years of her career so far...played for the Atlanta Cagers before the Georgia Metros in AAU...nationally-ranked swimmer prior to playing basketball and won a state title in swimming.
Brenda Frese on Staiti: “At 6-6, Jenna has tremendous size and will be one of the tallest players we've had here at Maryland. She has great hands and will give us a low post presence immediately. She can score, defend and rebound. She came to the sport late after starting out as an elite swimmer who decided to switch to basketball. Her ceiling is extremely high and her work ethic, hunger and IQ are going to carry her far. The sky is the limit for her.”
David May on Staiti: "Jenna is a great kid who comes from a great family. She is a tremendous ambassador for our school because of her work ethic, attitude, and willingness to always step up when others need help. The most impressive aspect about Jenna's basketball skill set has been her ability to improve each year and add different elements to her game each season. She is driven to improve and has learned to fall in love with the process of getting better every day. I am looking forward to continuing to watch her develop and have a great career at Maryland."
Matt Huddleston on Staiti: "Jenna is one of the most coachable players I have worked with in years. She will bring not just her great talent to Maryland, but also a championship passion and spirit. Maryland fans are lucky to have her join the family."
Jenna Staiti on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because I wanted to play for the best and be surrounded by the best. I knew in my heart when I felt the emotions I felt when Coach Frese offered me that it was the right place for me to be."
Blair Watson • 6-0 • Wing
Hometown: Nutley, N.J.
High School: Nutley High School (Larry Mitschow)
AAU Team: New Jersey Panthers (John Griff)
About Watson: Named the No. 28 overall player by both ESPN and the Collegiate Girls Report and No. 24 by the All Star Girls Report...averages over 23.0 points and four three-pointers a game...has scored over 1,400 points in three years at Nutley...has earned All-Conference and First Team All-American Division in all three years of her career...team won sectionals in her junior year.
Brenda Frese on Watson: “Blair is a match-up nightmare at the perimeter position. She is extremely versatile and strong. She is one of the best shooters I've seen and makes it look easy. She has an array of shots and can hit from anywhere. She can hang in the air and shoot Kobe-like shots. She is a ferocious competitor that can rebound and attack off of the bounce and knows how to make everyone else around her better. She is a proven winner.”
Larry Mistchow on Watson: “We are all extremely excited Blair Watson has decided to continue her basketball playing career at Maryland. I am very fortunate to have coached Blair the past four seasons. A player of her ability doesn't come along very often. The Nutley High School basketball program will always remember the success Blair helped us achieve. We wish her all the best at Maryland."
John Griff on Watson: "While Blair's raw athleticism is extraordinary, that isn't what defines her. She is a driven, ultra-competitive, wonderful person who is devoted to her teammates. Those are the traits that make her special.”
Blair Watson on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because it was everything I could've asked for and so much more."
-Terps-
