Sooners Sign Another Top-10 Class

NORMAN, Okla. -- One year after signing the consensus No.1 recruit and landing the nation's top recruiting class Oklahoma head coach Sherri Coale has repeated her efforts by signing a four-player recruiting class that ranks with the best in the country.

The class consisting of point guard Jenna Plumley, shooting guard Rose Hammond, small forward Nyeshia Stevenson (pronounced Nie- ee -SHA) and power forward Amanda Thompson turned in its National Letters of Intent on Wednesday morning and will be eligible to compete for OU during the 2006-07 academic year.

“In terms of the classes we've brought in, I think it's the most complete,” said Coale. “You can take these four girls and put them on the floor and build a tremdous team. I can't see any way this is not a top 10 class.”

Profiles: Hammond | Plumley | Stevenson | Thompson

Coale's prediction that this was a top-10 class was backed up by the Blue Star report, which ranked the Sooners No. 9 nationally and second in the Big 12. The class standing could improve as OU has one scholarship still available during the early signing period, which concludes Nov. 16.

Plumley, a 5-4 traditional point guard out of Red Rock, Okla., became an Oklahoma legend as a freshman when she led Frontier High School to the Big House and claimed MVP honors while guiding her team to the state championship. Since then she has won another Class A state title (2005) and led Frontier to a 55-6 record, all while averaging 20.5 points and 8.5 assists during the last two seasons.

“Jenna smells where the basketball is supposed to go,” said Coale. “I have watched her play for years as she has grown up at Frontier and she is the best post feeder I've seen in a long, long time. You are just blown away at the things she can do.”

Plumley took her game to a national level this past summer when she led the Oklahoma Pride to the Junior Olympic National Championship. The two-time Oklahoman Super Five athlete claimed another MVP honor by taking top honors at the national tournament.

“Jenna is a dynamo, “ said Frontier head coach Clay Stephens. “She is a coach's dream at the point because she knows where everyone is supposed to be on the court in any given situation.”
Hammond will team Plumley in the back court, much like the duo did this past summer. Hammond was also a member of the Junior National Championship team. The Depew High School product is ranked No. 73 among nation recruits and No. 15 at the off-guard position according to the All Star Girls Report.

“Rose is the kind of kid that when you watch her play, you don't ever think she's playing very hard because it looks so easy,” said Coale. “She has great quickness and is smooth and fluid. I think she can be very much like LeNeishea Caulfield in that there won't be very much she can't do on either end of the floor.”

Additional Quotes From Sherri Coale

The versatile talent averaged 23 points, six rebounds, six steals and five assists as a junior at Depew. Her in-state efforts have led to the Oklahoman naming her to the Super Five Team in 2004 and 2005.

“Rose is the best combination athlete and overall-skilled basketball player I have ever coached,” said Depew head coach Paul Pool. “She has the quickness to steal the ball on defense at any time and can finish at the basket when you don't think she can. That is what makes her so tough.”

Taking the spot of small forward in the recruiting class is Stevenson, who will bring rare athletic ability to the Norman next season. The Little Rock native was named the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Female Athlete of the Year as a junior in 2004 when she earned all-state honors in basketball, volleyball and track and field.

“Nyeshia is a special athlete, truly gifted,” said Coale. “She is very explosive and a tremendous jumper. Nyeshia picks things up quickly, and she has that special knack of wanting the ball late in the games. I don't know if you can teach that. She has a chance to really be an impact player because of her mental makeup and athletic ability.”

The 6-1 forward, who can grab the rim with two hands, averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds during her junior campaign.

The most nationally renowned player in the class is Thompson, who is ranked as high as No. 5 by national recruiting services. The Chicago native is a gritty power forward, who has the skills to dominate the block and run a point-forward role similar to that fulfilled by Sooner legend Dionnah Jackson.

“Amanda Thompson is one of those rare finds,” said Coale. “She is an athlete who has two extraordinary skills, one being the ability to block shots, which is as much a timing issue as it is a size issue. She really knows when to go. Her second gift is her vision. She is a tremendous passer. She delivers the basketball in similar fashion to Stacey Dales.”

Thompson isn't short on the offensive end, where she averaged 16.9 points to go along with 11 rebounds and four steals as junior. The five-star recruit spent a portion of her summer at the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival where she led her team to a gold medal while tallying 9.4 PPG and 7.8 RPG. With the added international experience, Thompson hopes to help Whitney Young High School improve upon its 2004-05 record of 28-2 and state runner up finish.

“Amanda is the best player I have coached in many ways, but what really sets her apart is her personal drive to be the best,: said Whitney Young head coach Corry Irvin. “I believe her ability to get to the basket and free up other players is her biggest asset. She can free up the lane for the Paris twins, as well as open up outside shots for OU's shooters.”

Based on the NLI's signed Wednesday, the OU women's basketball team is projected to field a roster of 14 players next season.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors