Introducing...Kristi Cirone

Most people haven't heard much about Kristi Cirone. To which I say, where have you been? This young woman has been 'wow-ing' opponents and scouts for a while now. And believe me, her fans (Cironettes?) have enjoyed every minute of her successful career. Not mention she's also a two time consecutive Jackie Stiles MVC Player of the Year recipient. Oddly enough, many have compared her to that former SMS Lady Bear. Cirone brings a strong skillset with both the ability to score and distribute. She has also helped lead her Illinois State team, who gave Oklahoma a scare, into the spotlight,while also setting some records of her own. Bottom line, the girl is good and whoever drafts her will be lucky to have her. And if you don't believe me, believe ISU's Head Coach Robin Pingeton when she says “She’s a tremendous worker who has taken her game to another level.”

The Bigger the Better - A Center Breakdown

Here are the top big girls in the Class of 2009.

Chante Black (Duke)
Chante Black is primed for a strong senior season. After suffering an injury following her sophomore year, Black came back on the scene last year and helped keep a struggling, young Duke team afloat. This year, Black will again be one of the top players in the ACC because she can score down low, rebound on both ends, and block shots with regularity.
 
Megan Skouby (Iowa)
Prior to the season, Skouby wouldn't have been here. After having a great freshman season, Skouby seemed to disappear during her sophomore and junior seasons - even going to the bench. However, this year, Skouby has been a consistent force for the Hawkeyes. She is one of the more versatile centers.

Devanei Hampton (California)
Coming off an injury, Hampton will need to once again work her magic. After missing a good part of the preseason, Hampton is finally back and will need to help Cal on their quest to the Final Four. Hampton is one of the more athletically gifted players in the post because she's quick and can score in the paint in a variety of ways. She's also a very good rebounder and a solid defender. Keep an eye on Dev.

Courtney Paris (Oklahoma)
Courtney Paris hearts stats. For real. This young woman has done what no one has ever done. Her streak of consecutive double doubles is one of the records that most people can't see ending. Courtney Paris is a very strong player who knows how to score in the paint. She's not the most fit or versatile player, but she continues to get the job done. With her USA Basketball experience, WNBA scouts know she could have an impact early in her career.

Kia Vaughn (Rutgers)
It's scary to think how good Vaughn could be if she actually had gotten the ball more in her first three years. Now, in her final year, Vaughn is one of Rutgers' veterans and should play a big key role. Vaughn has great footwork down low and can score in the post in a variety of ways. She's also an underrated defender. But again, to show what she can actually do, she has to get the ball. Demand touches, Kia, demand touches.

HM: Aisha Mohammed (Virginia), Nadia Parker (USC), Jenna Green (UCSB), Sybil Dosty (Arizona State), Jessica Adair (George Washington).

Introducing...Rashanda McCants

We're here today to talk about McCants. No, not that McCants, this McCants. As a senior for the UNC Tar Heels, Rashanda McCants enters in the spotlight with all eyes on her, even garnering a cover on Sports Illustrated. Pressure usually doesn't get to her, though, no matter how many Cameron Crazies heckle her. As one of the few seniors on UNC's team, she will be looked to lead the Tar Heels to the Final Four, the same way a certain other McCants did. There's a sibling rivalry in the McCants family but according to Sylvia Hatchell, the Rashad and Rashanda look oddly similar. "She has a legitimate big-time jump shot. She looks just like her brother shooting," Hatchell said. Oh, and Rashanda has even worked at adding another facet to her game; the dunk.

Prospect Rankings: Week 2

Lots of good games over Thanksgiving. We have a new number 1.

Rank - Name (Team) - Last Week's Rank
  1. Ashley Walker (California) - 16
  2. Courtney Paris (Oklahoma) - 1
  3. DeWanna Bonner (Auburn) - 10
  4. Danielle Gant (Texas A&M) - 7
  5. Ashley Paris (Oklahoma) - 5
  6. Renee Montgomery (UCONN) - 19
  7. Angel McCoughtry (Louisville) - 13
  8. Rachel Allison (Baylor) - 4
      Amber Jackson (North Texas) - 29
10. Shalee Lehning (Kansas State) - 8
      Star Allen (Ohio State) - 3
12. Robyn Fairbanks (Utah Valley State) - 15
13. Rachel Porath (UW Green Bay) - 11
14. Marshae Dotson (Florida) - 2
15. Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton (Purdue) - 14
16. Chandrea Jones (Syracuse) - 20
17. Rashanda McCants (North Carolina) - 28
      Candyce Bingham (Louisville) - 21
19. Kristi Toliver (Maryland) - NR
20. Shantia Grace (South Florida) - 25
21. Jernisha Cann (IUPUI) - 17
      Nadia Parker (Southern Cal) - NR
23. Marissa Coleman (Maryland) - NR
24. Briann January (Arizona State) - NR
25. Laura Kurz (Villanova) - NR

HM: Megan Skouby (Iowa), Julianne Viani (Marist), Amber Bland (NC A&T), Megan Frazee (Liberty), Jhasmin Player (Baylor).

WNBA Prospect of the Week (11/24-11/30)

Renee Montgomery, a 5'7" guard from Connecticut, has been named this week's WNBA Draft Net Prospect of the Week. Montgomery's UCONN Huskies are out to a perfect 5-0 record and had two wins over BYU and #4/6 Oklahoma this week. Against the Sooners, Montgomery posted an impressive stat sheet including 30 points (career high), while shooting 55% from the field and 50% from three point range. She also dished out a UCONN record 13 assists and pulled down six boards. For the week, Montgomery averaged 24.5 points, 4 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and shot an average of 59% from the field and 64% from three point range.

 Also Considered: Ashley Walker (California), Shalee Lehning (Kansas State), Dellina Criner (Nevada), Sha Brooks (Florida).

Powerful Prospects - A Power Forward Breakdown

Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton (Purdue) 
Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton was expecting to play her senior season, but last year she injured herself and is back for her true senior season. After a surprisingly good first year, Wisdom-Hylton has been a leader for the Boilermakers. She can score, rebound, and especially defend. She's got skills that will help her make the move to the WNBA. There is no question that she is WNBA ready.

Ashley Walker (California)
Her critics will call her undersized and inept to play in the WNBA. But, oh the contrary. Walker, who stands a solid 6'1", makes up for lack of height in her ability to rebound and score. She is a human double double machine and has had to carry the load for the Cal Bears while Hampton and Ndaiye are out. She has shown she has what it takes.

Megan Frazee (Liberty) 
The WNBA has seen very few Megan Frazee's lately. Frazee brings a unique skillset to the table. This is a girl who is legit from the perimeter and can shoot with the best of them. However, at  6'3", she may be expected to play more post in the pros. But she can handle it. she's got an ideal pro body and is a great rebounder and defender at the post positions. You may not hear a lot about her now, but you should in March.

Kelsey Griffin (Nebraska) 
Talk about a diamond in the (well, not so) rough. Griffin may be one of the quietest players on the national scene, but if you've ever seen a Nebraska game, you for sure noticed her. She's very old school in her approach and is very blue collar. She's strong, yet also quick. She can rebound with the best of them, and has worked on mixing up her offensive game. Again, if you've done your homework, you know Griffin.

Ashley Paris (Oklahoma)
It's hard being the sister of one of the most dominant forces to ever play the game, but while Ashley Paris has played in the shadow of her sister a bit, she has shown she is just as valuable too. What Courtney lacks, Ashley brings to the table. Ashley is smaller than her sister by a couple inches, but she's quicker. Also, Ashley is much more perimeter oriented. Her versatility and knack for rebounding will help her in the pros. Most teams could use an Ashley Paris. She just needs to stay agressive.

HM: Star Allen (Ohio State), Marshae Dotson (Florida), Rachel Allison (Baylor), Kemie Nkele (UC Riverside), Robyn Fairbanks (Utah Valley State).

Introducing...Megan Frazee

First there were the Burges. Then the Millers. And no one will forget the Parises? But the Frazee's outnumber all of those pairs. Megan Frazee(#40) is one of the Frazee triplet set that is playing at the Liberty University. Together, with her sisters Molly and Moriah, Megan has helped bring success back to Liberty. Coach Carey Green says that Megan is "very gifted with strength and power inside and the ballhandling skills to go outside." People have tried to stop her, but it just doesn't work. Meg Pym of Old Dominion stated that “She’s a great player, though. She still had 19 points and eight rebounds and we were trying to focus on her.” Last year, Frazee put up 37 points up against a very talented Virginia squad, who her team defeated. How big are the Frazees, you ask? Well, they have their own blog! Oh, and their incredible story was documented on ESPN last year in a season preview show. WNBA scouts need to take a serious look at Megan Frazee. She's got what it takes.

More bad injury news

As if losing Brittany Cook to an ACL tear wasn't enough, now Boise State's Tasha Harris, a legit WNBA prospect, will miss this season with an achilles injury. Both will attempt to redshirt and be back next year. Best luck with your recovery, ladies!

 Rumor has it...
There is a rumor going around that the WNBA draft lottery will be held in a couple weeks. Whenever they hold it, check back here for the results!

Prospect Rankings: Week 2

 After the second week of action, some new names are appearing...

Rank - Name (Team) - Last Week's Rank
  1. Courtney Paris (Oklahoma) - 27
  2. Marshae Dotson (Florida) - NR
  3. Star Allen (Ohio State) - 10
  4. Rachel Allison (Baylor) - 1
  5. Ashley Paris (Oklahoma) - NR
  6. Megan Skouby (Iowa) - NR
  7. Danielle Gant (Texas A&M) - 13
  8. Shalee Lehning (Kansas State) - NR
  9. Julianne Viani (Marist) - 18
10. DeWanna Bonner (Auburn) - NR
11. Rachel Porath (UW Green Bay) - 1
12. Jessica Bobbitt (Belmont) - 20
13. Angel McCoughtry (Louisville) - 16
14. Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton (Purdue) - 5
15. Robyn Fairbanks (Utah Valley State) - NR
16. Ashley Walker (California) - 11
17. Jernisha Cann (IUPUI) - 23
18. Kristi Smith (Iowa) - NR
19. Renee Montgomery (UCONN) - 15
20. Chandrea Jones (Syracuse) - 4
21. Candyce Bingham (Louisville) - NR
22. Jhasmin Player (Baylor) - 20
23. LaCoya Terry (East Carolina) - NR
24. Aisha Mohammed (Virginia) - NR
25. Shantia Grace (South Florida) - NR

HM: Morgan Warburton (Utah), Megan Frazee (Liberty), Rashanda McCants (North Carolina), Amber Jackson (North Texas), Demetress Adams (South Carolina).

WNBA Prospect of the Week (11/17-11/23)

Sha' Brooks, a 5'7" guard from Florida, has been named this week's WNBA Draft Net Prospect of the Week. Brooks' Gators had to wins over the week over Jacksonville and #22/21 Florida State. In Florida's upset of then top 25 ranked FSU, Brooks posted a season high 24 points, dishing out 2 assists and shooting 7-15 from the field. For the week, Brooks averaged 20 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, while shooting 48% from the field.

Also considered: Julianne Viani (Marist), Tiffany Green (Old Dominion), Candyce Bingham (Louisville), Ashley Walker (California).