Head coach Quentin Hillsman has signed a recruiting class ranked in the top 10 in the country for the second time in the last three years.
Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Orange Signs Top-10 Recruiting Class
11/10/2011 4:42:56 PM | Women's Basketball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Five student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to attend Syracuse University and play women's basketball head coach Quentin Hillsman announced today. Brianna Butler, Cornelia Fondren, Taylor Ford, Pachiyanna Roberts and Brittney Sykes make up the 2012 recruiting class, which is ranked No. 6 in the nation by Collegiate Girl's Basketball Report and No. 11 in the country by All Star Girl's Report. The No. 6-rated class is the highest-ranked collection of incoming players the Orange has signed.
“This class is the highest-rated class in Syracuse women's basketball history,” Hillsman said. “That being said, I'm very happy with this group as a whole. I feel strongly that each one of these players has the ability to contribute immediately.”
Butler, a 6-0 guard from Brooklyn, N.Y. attends Nazareth Regional High School. She is rated as the 13th-best player in the nation by ESPNU Hoopgurlz 100. Butler is also ranked No. 13 in the country by All Star Girl's Report. Jumpoff Plus ranks her as the 14th best player in the nation, while All-Star Girl's Report has Butler listed at No. 21.
Sykes, a native of Newark, N.J. and senior at University High School, is ranked as the 19th-best player in the nation by Jumpoff Plus. The 5-9 guard is ranked No. 23 by Blue Star and No. 26 by Collegiate Girl's Basketball Report. In addition, Sykes is ranked No. 30 by ESPNU Hoopgurlz 100.
“The addition of Brianna Butler and Brittney Sykes brings two legitimate All-America candidates to our program,” Hillsman said. “Brianna has the ability to be a program changer. Brittney is arguably the best athlete in the 2012 class. These two players will give us the ability to compete with anyone in the country.”
Fondren is a 5-9 guard from Memphis, Tenn. and a senior at Overton High School. She is rated No. 54 in the country by Jumpoff Plus. In addition, Fondren is ranked No. 70 by All Star Girl's Report and No. 73 by ESPNU Hoopgurlz 100.
Ford is a 6-1 forward from Brooklyn, N.Y. The Nazareth Regional High School senior is rated as the 74th-best player in the nation by All Star Girl's Report.
Roberts hails from Powder Springs, Ga. The 6-1 forward from McEachern High School is ranked No. 35 among forwards by ESPNU Hoopgurlz 100.
“Cornelia is a lead guard with a great ability to extend the floor defensively and she has tremendous vision,” Hillsman said. “Taylor brings a tremendous defensive presence and athleticism to our front line. Pachiyanna is a tremendous athlete with the ability to be a consistent scoring threat.”
Hillsman and the Orange will open the 2011-12 season on Sunday, November 13 against Long Beach State. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.
“This class is the highest-rated class in Syracuse women's basketball history,” Hillsman said. “That being said, I'm very happy with this group as a whole. I feel strongly that each one of these players has the ability to contribute immediately.”
Butler, a 6-0 guard from Brooklyn, N.Y. attends Nazareth Regional High School. She is rated as the 13th-best player in the nation by ESPNU Hoopgurlz 100. Butler is also ranked No. 13 in the country by All Star Girl's Report. Jumpoff Plus ranks her as the 14th best player in the nation, while All-Star Girl's Report has Butler listed at No. 21.
Sykes, a native of Newark, N.J. and senior at University High School, is ranked as the 19th-best player in the nation by Jumpoff Plus. The 5-9 guard is ranked No. 23 by Blue Star and No. 26 by Collegiate Girl's Basketball Report. In addition, Sykes is ranked No. 30 by ESPNU Hoopgurlz 100.
“The addition of Brianna Butler and Brittney Sykes brings two legitimate All-America candidates to our program,” Hillsman said. “Brianna has the ability to be a program changer. Brittney is arguably the best athlete in the 2012 class. These two players will give us the ability to compete with anyone in the country.”
Fondren is a 5-9 guard from Memphis, Tenn. and a senior at Overton High School. She is rated No. 54 in the country by Jumpoff Plus. In addition, Fondren is ranked No. 70 by All Star Girl's Report and No. 73 by ESPNU Hoopgurlz 100.
Ford is a 6-1 forward from Brooklyn, N.Y. The Nazareth Regional High School senior is rated as the 74th-best player in the nation by All Star Girl's Report.
Roberts hails from Powder Springs, Ga. The 6-1 forward from McEachern High School is ranked No. 35 among forwards by ESPNU Hoopgurlz 100.
“Cornelia is a lead guard with a great ability to extend the floor defensively and she has tremendous vision,” Hillsman said. “Taylor brings a tremendous defensive presence and athleticism to our front line. Pachiyanna is a tremendous athlete with the ability to be a consistent scoring threat.”
Hillsman and the Orange will open the 2011-12 season on Sunday, November 13 against Long Beach State. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.
Postgame Press Conference vs. Louisville - ACC 3rd Round
Saturday, March 07
Postgame Press Conference vs. Louisville - ACC 3rd Round
Friday, March 06
Highlights | Syracuse vs. Louisville
Friday, March 06
Postgame Press Conference vs. Cal - ACC 2nd Round
Thursday, March 05
