Amber Witherspoon (left) and Danielle Minott (right) have signed NLIs with Syracuse.
Women’s Basketball Adds Inside-Outside Duo for ’14-15
11/19/2013 11:27:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse women's basketball head coach Quentin Hillsman has announced the signing of two talented high school seniors to National Letters of Intent to join the Orange in 2014-15: 5-8 guard Danielle Minott (Miami, Fla.) and 6-4 forward Amber Witherspoon (Chicago, Ill.).
"Overall, we're at a point where our team is so young that we're kind of filling holes," Hillsman said. "I think that we did an excellent job of getting players that will fill the voids after this year's senior class leaves."
Danielle Minott:
The 5-8 wing player from Miami Country Day School in Miami, Fla, is ranked 18th among guards by ESPN Hoopgurlz, earning her a three-star ranking and an overall grade of 90.
In 2011, Minott led her Parkway Academy team to the state title game. In 2012, she transferred to Country Day and averaged 19 points and eight rebounds per game, as a junior. She also led the Spartans to the Class 3A State Championship game.
"Rated as the number one sleeper in the 2014 class, Danielle is a player that really came alive, starting last year and at the state championship," Hillsman said. "Danielle is an unbelievable player with the ball in her hands. She is really good off the bounce and shoots a natural jump shot. She is a player that has the ability, on our offense, to play three to four positions, depending on what we're running because she is very strong, physical and athletic."
The ESPN evaluation of Minott says, "A certain 'stock-riser' among the Class of 2014; power-guard game with quick first-step, attacks rim off the bounce; elevates on jumper to the arc; potential."
Amber Witherspoon:
The 6-4 post player from Lincoln Park High School in Chicago, Ill., is ranked 16th by position by ESPN Hoopgurlz, earning her a three-star ranking and a grade of 90.
Midwest Recruiting Report ranks Witherspoon as the 10th prospect, overall. She is also ranked 28th in the Top 100 seniors by Midwest Girls Basketball Report.
"Amber Witherspoon is the best natural athlete in this 2014 class," Hillsman said. "We have a kid that can run the floor and has the ability to dunk the ball—her athleticism is off the charts. She can really get up and down the floor and she's a great rebounder and shot blocker. I believe that she has a chance to come in and be an immediate impact player for us on both sides of the ball."
The ESPN evaluation of Witherspoon says, "Long, agile finesse-5 performer brings shot blocking presence to the key: wingspan alters shots; mobile in up-tempo game; emerging offensive game waiting to be started."
The duo will join the Orange in time to help replace a graduating senior class of four. Minott's game on the wing will help offset the losses of seniors La'Shay Taft and Phylesha Bullard after this season, while Witherspoon's inside presence will allow her to step in for senior center Shakeya Leary. The 2014 class will team with a 2012 recruiting class that was ranked sixth-best in the country and a 2013 class that was ranked 10th.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse women's basketball head coach Quentin Hillsman has announced the signing of two talented high school seniors to National Letters of Intent to join the Orange in 2014-15: 5-8 guard Danielle Minott (Miami, Fla.) and 6-4 forward Amber Witherspoon (Chicago, Ill.).
"Overall, we're at a point where our team is so young that we're kind of filling holes," Hillsman said. "I think that we did an excellent job of getting players that will fill the voids after this year's senior class leaves."
Danielle Minott:
In 2011, Minott led her Parkway Academy team to the state title game. In 2012, she transferred to Country Day and averaged 19 points and eight rebounds per game, as a junior. She also led the Spartans to the Class 3A State Championship game.
"Rated as the number one sleeper in the 2014 class, Danielle is a player that really came alive, starting last year and at the state championship," Hillsman said. "Danielle is an unbelievable player with the ball in her hands. She is really good off the bounce and shoots a natural jump shot. She is a player that has the ability, on our offense, to play three to four positions, depending on what we're running because she is very strong, physical and athletic."
The ESPN evaluation of Minott says, "A certain 'stock-riser' among the Class of 2014; power-guard game with quick first-step, attacks rim off the bounce; elevates on jumper to the arc; potential."
Amber Witherspoon:
Midwest Recruiting Report ranks Witherspoon as the 10th prospect, overall. She is also ranked 28th in the Top 100 seniors by Midwest Girls Basketball Report.
"Amber Witherspoon is the best natural athlete in this 2014 class," Hillsman said. "We have a kid that can run the floor and has the ability to dunk the ball—her athleticism is off the charts. She can really get up and down the floor and she's a great rebounder and shot blocker. I believe that she has a chance to come in and be an immediate impact player for us on both sides of the ball."
The ESPN evaluation of Witherspoon says, "Long, agile finesse-5 performer brings shot blocking presence to the key: wingspan alters shots; mobile in up-tempo game; emerging offensive game waiting to be started."
The duo will join the Orange in time to help replace a graduating senior class of four. Minott's game on the wing will help offset the losses of seniors La'Shay Taft and Phylesha Bullard after this season, while Witherspoon's inside presence will allow her to step in for senior center Shakeya Leary. The 2014 class will team with a 2012 recruiting class that was ranked sixth-best in the country and a 2013 class that was ranked 10th.
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