COLLEGE PARK, MD -- The Maryland women's basketball team will welcome three top 50 freshmen in the country next season, head coach
Brenda Frese announced Wednesday.
Frese and her staff signed three top recruits that make up the Terrapins' class of 2024. Ava McKennie (McSherrystown, Pa.), Kyndal Walker (Beltsville, Md.) and Breanna Williams (Billings, Mont.) make up one of the top classes in the country.
Walker is ranked No. 42 overall by ESPN and No. 45 by ASGR. Williams is ranked No. 21 by ASGR and No. 45 by ESPN. McKennie is ranked No. 35 by ASGR
"We are thrilled to sign this special class into our program," Frese said. "Our staff was very intentional in finding the right fit and families and these players embody our core values and culture within our program. They are all winners with high character and are extremely unselfish.
Frese has signed 16 top 10 recruiting classes in her 22 years at Maryland. Frese brought in the top recruiting class in 2016 and 2019 and she signed the nation's No. 2 recruiting class in 2007, 2010 and 2018.
AVA MCKENNIE
Guard/Forward ● 6-2
McSherrystown, PA ● McDonogh School
Ig: Ava.mckennie5 ● X: @AvaMckennie
- No. 35-ranked overall player by ASGR
- Led McDonogh Team to two IAAM Championships
- Played AAU for Philly Rise ( 2023, 2022, 2021)
- AAU team were 16U EYBL champions
- 2022 GEYBL national champion
- 2022 All GEYBL Second Team
- All-Conference honoree in track
- Older brother, Ellis, played football at Maryland
- Koby ambassador for the Jordan McNair Foundation
Frese on McKennie: "Ava is a versatile scorer that can score it in a variety of ways. She is lean, wiry and athletic. She will be terrific in our transition game as well as her ability to defend and rebound. Her best years are ahead of her as she was a multi-sport athlete and has served on many leadership boards at McDonogh High School. She is a proven winner in all areas of her life."
McKennie on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because it feels like home! I know this is the place for me to develop and thrive as a person and player!"
Kevin Lynch (Philly Rise) on McKennie: "Maryland's signing of 6-2 Ava McKennie will certainly make head coach
Brenda Frese and Terp Nation smile. Ava is a fast, athletic wing athlete who can run all day. She is the rare player who can guard four positions, rebound at the rim and push the ball in transition. Offensively, she is an effective 3-point shooter who can also get to the rim with authority. Ava is an unselfish team player who always wants to guard the opposing team's best player. Throughout her young basketball career she has been a winner, leading her club team to the Nike EYBL U16 Championship in 2022."
Brad Reese (McDonogh) on McKennie: "Ava is one of those once in a generation players, athletic and talented with a not to be denied work ethic. She is gifted academically and a strong leader who makes everyone around her not only a better player but a better person."
KYNDAL WALKER
Guard ● 5-9
Burtonsville, MD ● St. John's College High School
IG: @kynwalker_24 ● X: @kynwalker_24
- Ranked No. 42 overall by ASGR and No. 45 by ESPN
- Helped lead high school team to back to back WCAC titles
- Two-time 1st Team All WCAC First Team, All-State First Team honoree
- Washington Post All-Met First Team honoree as a junior and Third Team as a sophomore
- First Team Nike Tournament of Champion (2022-23)
- Named an ESPN Top 30 player in 2022-23
- 16.0 PPG, 4.0 AST, 4.2 REB, 1.5 STL as a junior
- Named an ESPNW Top 40 player in 2021-22
- Averaged 13.1 PPG, 3.0 AST, 4.0 REB, 1.5 STL as a sophomore
- Max Preps All American Honorable Mention (2022-23)
- Plays for Team Takeover
Frese on Walker: "All Kyndal knows how to do is win! She has won back-to-back-to-back state titles in her high school career. She is the ultimate point guard who knows how to make the right play at the right time. She can score, pass, defend or whatever her team needs at the moment. She's as unselfish as they come. We are thrilled to keep the very best home."
Walker on Maryland: "I chose to come to Maryland because of my love for my hometown and my goals I've manifested of myself being here one day. For me, nothing would feel better than to show the world why the DMV produces the best basketball talent in America, but also be able to do it in a location where I'm from. I feel that winners should always want to surround themselves with other winners both on and off the court, making it a seamless match between me, my coaches, my teammates, and all of Terp Nation. I want to be a big part of something special under the guidance of Coach Frese and the entire coaching staff and I believe it's time we get another National Title and a new floor to display at College Park and make more history."
Ron James (Team Takeover) on Walker: "I have known Kyndal and her family since she was in fifth grade. I have been blessed with the opportunity to coach her throughout her club basketball time with Team Takeover. I can tell you first hand that the Maryland Women's Basketball program is gaining another elite level basketball player from the DMV who is a winner. I often refer to Kyndal as the silent assassin on the court. Off the court, Ms. Walker exemplifies high character, and I am confident that she will be a model student athlete while attending the University of Maryland."
Jonathon Scribner (St. John's College High School) on Walker: "The whole St. John's community is excited for Kyndal to stay home and play for Coach Frese at the University of Maryland. We're looking forward to her senior year here at St. John's but can't wait to see what the future brings. Kyndal is extremely humble but on the court she is a quiet assassin. A 3-level scorer who takes just as much pride on the defensive side of the ball. She's a great teammate, leader, and truly a joy to coach. I'm confident she will have a tremendous college career and will go on to play beyond."
BREANNA WILLIAMS
Forward ● 6-2
Billings, MT ● Skyview High School
IG: @7402_williams
- Ranked No. 21 by ASGR and No. 45 by ESPN
- Montana Gatorade Player of the Year (2023)
- Averages 15.3 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.6 BPG, FG%- 48%, 3pt%- 33%, FT%- 69%
- Helped high school team to a state championship as a sophomore
- Three-time First-team All-Conference and AA First Team All-State
- Named the AA State Tournament MVP (2022)
- MaxPreps Best Player in Montana (22-23)
- Q-2 two-time Athlete of the Week (2022-2023)
- 406-Sports Athlete of the Month(2022)
- Montana Hi-line Invitational MVP
- All-Star team, rebound leader, and tournament champ (2022)
- 1000 Point Club Member with 1,041 career points through junior season
- Team Captain: 22'-23'
- Led Class AA in scoring in 2023 and was second her sophomore year (2022)
- Led Class AA in rebounds, field goals, free throws in 2023 as well and was 6th in assists
- Also golfed and earned Academic All-State and Conference as a freshman and sophomore
- Plays AAU for the Northwest Blazers
- 2022 GUAA 16u National Champion (Under Armour circuit)
- Invited to the Under Armour Future 60 camp at IMG Academy and Elite 24 in Atlanta, GA
- 2022 UA 16u Second Team
Frese on Williams: "We love the fact that we were able to have Breanna Williams come join us from the west coast in Montana. She is a special player who will be very versatile for us in that front court position. She can slide in and out. She's a scorer, a ferocious rebounder and defender. She knows how to compete and win. I am thrilled to have Breanna and her family join us."
Williams on Maryland: "I decided to come to Maryland because it was the connection I had with the coaches and the connection I made with the players while on my visit. It was very genuine and I felt wanted. It ultimately felt like a home away from home for me. I want to play basketball at the highest level, and compete for conference and national championships every year. The winning culture was what drove me here in addition, and I am able to play in front of thousands of fans that are passionate about Maryland as well. Not to mention I am fortunate to have the opportunity of receiving a high-quality education at the University of Maryland.
Steve Klees (Northwest Blazers) on Williams: "Breanna is a very skilled 6'2 athlete who is capable of playing all five positions if needed. She is extremely bright, has a lot of experience and has performed consistently at the highest level of club basketball again and again. In my 49 years of coaching, Bre is one of the most complete college prospects I have seen."
