TOLEDO, OH - The University of Toledo women's basketball program has signed six recruits to National Letters of Intent for the 2014-15 season, three-time Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year Tricia Cullop announced on Thursday, Nov. 14.
The signees are Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott (London, England - Greig City Academy), Mikaela Boyd (Hillside, IL - Proviso West), Lindsay Dorr (Rogers, MN - Rogers), Nancy Kessler (St. Catherines, ONT - St. Francis Secondary), Michaela Rassmussen (Victoria, MN - Holy Name) and Jada Woody (Canton, MI - Plymouth).
"We're so excited about the talent and the depth for this class," Cullop said. "All six are capable of challenging for minutes right away. They each give us the needed depth we're going without this season. I feel like we have addressed a lot of the needs that we so desperately need with the graduation of key players this coming year. I could not be more thrilled with this group, as they are six unbelievable people."
A 5-foot-10-guard, Bravo-Harriott led Greig City Academy and the Haringey Angels Club Team to numerous national titles. This past summer, she played with current Toledo freshman Janice Monakana on England's U-20 National Team, but tore her hamstring and was unable to compete. Prior to the injury, Bravo-Harriott led England's 3-on-3 team to a seventh-place finish at the World Championships in Jakarta. She also scored a career-high 42 points in last year's National Schools Final and was voted MVP of the National League Finals in 2008-12. Bravo-Harriott represented England at the 2012 FIBA U-18 Championships (Division A) and averaged 10.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 2.0 assists in 24.7 minutes per game.
"Jay-Ann is a scoring threat with a great basketball IQ and is capable of playing the point or off-guard position," Cullop said. "I love her basketball instincts. Jay-Ann is capable in playing at a very high level, and we are very pleased that she has chosen Toledo."
A 5-foot-7 guard, Boyd averaged 16.8 points per game, six rebounds, five assists and four steals per game as a junior at Proviso West High School. She is a three-time all-conference and all-area honoree and currently listed as a Top 20 player in the state. Boyd has already topped 1,000 points in high school. An excellent performer in the classroom as well, the three-time team captain has received academic all-state accolades at the Proviso Math and Science Academy.
"Mikaela is going to remind people of a young Andola (Dortch)," Cullop said. "She's definitely got that kind of speed and quickness. Mikaela also has some different qualities to her game. What really caught my eye was just how easy it is for her to slash to the basket. She also sees the court really well and is a fierce competitor."
A 6-foot-2 forward, Dorr averaged 10 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.2 blocks per game as a junior at Rogers High School. She finished second in the state in rejections with a school-record 186, shattering the previous mark by 137. The three-year letterwinner also ranked No. 15 in Minnesota in boards and helped her team to a 17-9 mark, en route to earning all-conference recognition. On the AAU level, Dorr paced the Minnesota Fury in scoring (10 ppg), caroms (9 rpg) and blocked shots and led the squad to a sixth-place finish at the Minnesota State Tournament. An excellent student in the classroom as well, Dorr has received the Spotlight on Scholarship Award each of the last three seasons for achieving good grades while participating in varsity sports.
"Lindsay was the second-leading shot blocker in the state of Minnesota as a junior," Cullop said. "She also has a nice touch around the basket, runs the floor well, is a good rebounder and solid scoring threat on the low block. We are extremely excited about Lindsay's potential."
A 6-foot-3 center/forward, Kessler averaged 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four blocks per game as a senior at St. Francis Catholic Secondary. She led the team to a zone championship and is in the process of helping them pursue a provincial championship this month. For her efforts on the hardwood, Kessler was named MVP of the St. Catharine's Standard Tournament and selected a first-team all-star at the Welland Tribune Tournament. Kessler also contributed 16 points, eight caroms, five dimes and three blocks as a junior, guiding the Phoenix to a Provincial title with a 37-1 record. She has been active on the Ontario Provincial Team for the last three years and played a key role in helping them secure the Canadian Championship each season. An excellent student in the classroom as well, Kessler is a three-time member of her school's Honor Roll.
"Nancy is extremely athletic and can play in the post or on the perimeter and run the floor well," Cullop said. "She has nice hands, and I like the fact that she can face up. When we were recruiting her, she stepped out 17 to 18 feet and knocked down shots, which really excited me. When she is not playing for her high school, she is competing with Team Ontario or playing in the Juel league. She's a gym rat who's only going to get better."
A 6-foot-1 forward, Rassmussen averaged 15 points and seven rebounds per game as a junior at Holy Name High School. She earned first-team all-conference accolades and is currently ranked the No. 10 player in her class by the Minnesota Girls High School Basketball.
"Michaela is a player with outstanding three-point range, who also runs the floor well," Cullop said. "She may see time at the wing or the post. Michaela is very skilled and a strong competitor. She rebounds the ball well and can play inside or out."
A 6-foot-1 wing, Woody was selected all-conference and tabbed to the All-West Suburban Team, according to the Detroit Free Press, as a junior at Plymouth High School. She was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year and received their Chairman of the Boards Awards, as well as the Most Improved Player for a second straight season. Woody also excelled on the track and is a three-time state qualifier on a nationally ranked relay team. A tremendous performer in the classroom as well, she is a two-time scholar-athlete recipient with a 3.8 grade-point average.
"Jada is a strong defensive player," Cullop said. "I love her long wing span, because it allows her to defend any player on the perimeter. Jada can really effect passing lanes and put great pressure on the ball. She's also really a good passer, especially in the open court. Jada's got great basketball instinct, as she can also drive to the hole and shoot the three."
2014-15 Toledo Women's Basketball Recruiting Class
Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Hometown - High School
Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott Fr. G 5-10 London, England - Greig City Academy
Mikaela Boyd Fr. G 5-7 Hillside, IL - Proviso West
Lindsay Dorr Fr. F 6-2 Rogers, MN - Rogers
Nancy Kessler Fr. C 6-3 St. Catherine's, ONT - St. Francis Secondary
Michaela Rassmussen Fr. F 6-1 Victoria, MN - Holy Name
Jada Woody Fr. G/F 6-1 Canton, MI - Plymouth
