Wolfpack women’s basketball signs top-20 recruiting class

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

RALEIGH, N.C. – N.C. State Wolfpack head coach Wes Moore and his staff signed a strong 2015 recruiting class featuring four ESPN top-100 student-athletes as announced on Wednesday.

The class of six features four ESPN four-star recruits, two three-star selections, and is ranked 16th nationally by ESPN.

The Wolfpack’s class is the largest among the schools in the top 20 and includes Rydeiah Rogers (ESPN #63, Blue Star Report #77), Amber Richardson (ESPN #72), Kaila Ealey (ESPN #75), Jonquanae Cole (ESPN #100, Blue Star Report #33), Lena Niang (Blue Star Report #92), and Camille Anderson.

Rydeiah “DD” Rogers – 6-1/Forward/Charlotte, N.C.

Ranking:  ESPN #63, Blue Star Report #77

Ranked the highest among all NC State’s recruits in the 2015 class, Rydeiah Rogers from Charlotte is a four-star recruit who scored a 95 from ESPN scouts. She ranks as the 12th best forward in the entire 2015 class and the 63rd best overall player.

“Untapped potential and a super talent! Rydeiah has quick feet, finishes in traffic, is relentless on the glass and superb in transition,” said Dan Olson, the owner and director of Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and director of ESPNW HoopGurlz.

Averaging a double-double last season, Rogers could be counted upon for 16 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game as a junior for Myers Park high school. The forward was named to the AP All-State Prep Basketball Team and the All-Charlotte Observer Basketball Team during her school’s 2013-14 season which culminated spectacularly in a 4A state championship.

Rogers is a second generation college athlete, as her father Rodney played basketball at Wake Forest and later in the NBA.

“She is an athletic power forward who runs the floor and attacks the rim,” Moore said of Rogers.

“Relentless on the offensive boards and looks to make plays on defense. She put up big numbers in the state championship win at Reynolds Coliseum: 25 points and 20 rebounds. Hopefully that is a sign of things to come!”

Amber Richardson – 6-0/ Forward/Garner, N.C.

Ranking:  ESPN #72

The second highest ranked recruit in NC State’s 2015 class, Amber Richardson is a four-star standout who earned a scout’s grade of 95 from ESPN. She is ranked as the ninth best wing player in the entire 2015 class and 72nd overall.

“She will stretch the defense to the arc or beat you off the dribble. She’s great in up-tempo pressure basketball,” said Olson.

Richardson had a strong junior season at Southeast Raleigh high school, averaging 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game en route to earning a spot on the News & Observer’s All-Metro Team and helping her squad win the Greater Neuse River conference championship. For her role on the team, she was named the Greater Neuse River Player of the Year and also earned a spot on the league’s all-conference team.

“Great potential,” Moore said of Richardson.

“She’s a strong, athletic guard with good size who can shoot the three as well as take it to the basket. She also has the potential to be a factor on the offensive boards. She comes from an outstanding high school program (Southeast Raleigh) that reached the state finals.”

Kaila Ealey – 5-8/ Guard/Raleigh, N.C.

Ranking:  ESPN #75

Ranked as the #75 prospect in the 2015 ESPN HoopGurlz rankings, Kaila Ealey is a four-star recruit who scores a scout’s grade of 95. The native of Raleigh, N.C., is ranked as the #16 guard in the entire class.

“Among the most explosive guards in the nation, she possesses speed, quickness, and a developing mid-range game,” Olson said.

Ealey has seen healthy growth in her scoring averages each season, scoring 10.1 points per game as a freshman at Needham Broughton high school, 12.4 as a sophomore, and a very impressive 20.2 as a junior. She was a member of the 2014 Raleigh News & Observer All-Metro Team and was a part of her team’s split Cap Eight 4A Conference regular-season championship during the 2013-14 season.

“Kaila is a super quick point guard who can get to the hole at will, as well as set the table for others,” Moore said.

“She has a high motor on defense that leads to instant offense and will provide much needed depth at her position.”

Jonquanae “Nae Nae” Cole – 6-3/Forward/ Gainesville, Va.

Ranking:  ESPN #100, Blue Star Report #33

Ranked as the #100 prospect in the 2015 ESPN HoopGurlz rankings, Jonquanae Cole is a four-star recruit who scores a scout’s grade of 91. The native of Gainesville, Va., is ranked as the #16 post player in the entire class.

“The power post prospect of the class, Jonquanae is not afraid to be a physical presence in the paint and has all the tools to become a formidable interior producer,” Olson said.

During her junior season, Cole earned WCAC and VISAA All-Conference honors. She was the MVP at the She’s Got Game Classic Tournament in Maryland and was a part of a conference and state championship winning team at Paul VI high school.

“A strong, back-to-the-basket player with good skills on the block, Nae Nae should bring a presence inside on both ends of the court,” Moore said.

“She has potential to be a scorer down low in the four-out, one-in system. She’s another player who is used to winning, coming from a strong St. Paul VI program in the D.C. area.”

Lena Niang – 6-2 /Forward/Bowie, Md.

Ranking:  Blue Star Report #92

A former teammate of current freshman Chloe Jackson at Riverdale Baptist high school, Lena Niang is a three-star recruit who scores a scout’s grade of 90. She is ranked as the #19 forward in the entire 2015 class.

“Versatile on both ends of the floor, she has the potential to become a guard complemented by the size to play in the front court. She is an unpolished gem,” Olson added.

A native of Senegal, Niang will be the second Wolfpacker on the roster (Jennifer Mathurin) who is a native French speaker. During her junior season with the Crusaders, Niang averaged 10 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game while earning a solid 3.50 grade-point average.

“Lena is a very long and athletic swing player who has a high ceiling,” Moore said. “She plays for national power Riverdale Baptist in Maryland. Lena has expanded her skills to the perimeter, including her handles and her three-point range. She can create matchup problems for opponents and her best days are ahead of her.”

Camille Anderson – 5-9/Guard/ Buford, Ga.

Ranking: ESPN #90

Rated as a three-star recruit and the recipient of a 90 on ESPNW’s rankings, Camille Anderson is a 7AAA Region Player of the Year and a recent participant at the USA Basketball Women’s U17 World Championship Team Trials in May. In her most recent season at Buford High School, Anderson recorded 14.8 points, eight assists, and six rebounds per game for the Wolves.

“A physical, power guard off the bounce, she can also stretch the defense to the arc,” Olson said.

No stranger to success, Anderson’s teams were Region 7AAA champions in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Her squad was a State Championship runner up at the end of the 2011-12 season and then was an Elite Eight finalist at the end of the 2012-13 campaign.

“Camille is a fundamental, high-energy, and enthusiastic guard. Coming from Georgia perennial power Buford high school, she too knows about winning,” Moore said.

“She has strong handles and can also knock down the three.”