Alabama Women's Basketball Inks Three During Early Signing Period
11/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Alabama women's basketball team added three of the top prospects in the 2016 class with the signing of Cierra Johnson, Ashley Knight and Jordan Lewis, head coach Kristy Curry announced on Wednesday.
"All three of these young ladies bring a style of play that is fun to watch, and all three are truly committed to making an immediate impact in our process," said Curry. "This class compliments our current roster and will compete on a daily basis to impact our program both on and off the court in a major way as freshmen."
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE TIDE'S SIGNING CLASS:
"Since arriving in Tuscaloosa, Coach Kristy Curry and her staff have continuously landed the pieces needed to compete in the SEC. The Class of 2016 is no different. In Cierra Johnson, Ashley Knight and Jordan Lewis, Curry will welcome three players capable of providing quality minutes early in their careers."
-Brandon Clay, Peach State Basketball
"Alabama Head Coach Kristy Curry continues her outstanding recruiting for the 2016 class after her stellar five player class in 2015. The incoming three players include two of the top 100 national prospects in Blue Star Report. Leading the way is No. 55 5-8 PG Cierra Johnson from Blount High School (AL), No. 65 5-8 G Jordan Lewis from Lake Highland Prep (FL) and No. 108 6-5 C Ashley Johnson from LBJ (TX). All three players will make an impact at Alabama as Coach Curry's class is ranked No. 3 in the Southeast Conference by Blue Star."
-Kevin Lynch, Blue Star Report
"Alabama Coach Kristy Curry signed three kids that make her team better. All three should be contributors right away. She will have the luxury to play Johnson and Lewis at the same time. Their backcourt will be potent. Knight gives them that true center that every team needs to establish an inside game."
-Brett McCormick, All-Star Girls Report
CIERRA JOHNSON
Johnson, a 5-8 guard from Mobile, Ala., is regarded as one of, if not the, top player in the state of Alabama. She made the 2015 AL.com Preseason A-List and is off to a solid start this season after recording 21 points, nine rebounds, eight steals, three blocks and five assists in her first game. Johnson was the 2015 Class 6A Girls Basketball Player of the Year, the Coastal Alabama Girls Player of the Year and was runner up in the Alabama Miss Basketball voting to current Tide freshman Shaquera Wade. She was also a member of the 2015 AL.com Super All-State Girls Basketball Team and was selected to the Alabama High School Athletic Association's South Girls All-Star Team.
"In back-to-back recruiting classes, we feel we have kept the best player in our home state at Alabama," explained Curry. "Cierra is an elite athlete with a scorer's mentality. She is explosive in the open floor with her ability to finish at the rim or pull up. Defensively, Cierra will be a great on-ball and off-ball defender with her long frame. She is an ultimate competitor and will fit right in with our style of play."
Johnson has led Blount High School, coached by Janel Williams, to three straight state semifinal appearances and reached the 2015 championship game, where she had 24 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and a trio of steals. For the year, Johnson averaged 22 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. She is ranked in the top 100 nationally by every scouting service and is as high as No. 55. She plays club ball for the WP Celtics under head coach Renardo Hudson.
ASHLEY KNIGHT
Knight, a 6-5 post from Austin, Texas, was named first team all-district and varsity team MVP for Lyndon B. Johnson High School, coached by Renee Brown. As a junior, she led the Jaguars to the bi-district and area championships.
"Ashley will bring a great low-post presence to our current roster with her imposing size," said Curry. "She can impact the offensive end with her ability to initiate the fast break and back-to-the-basket low-post game. Defensively, she gives us length and size that can run the floor as a shot blocker and defensive rebounder. We are excited to add another Texan to the roster!"
As a sophomore, Knight averaged 7.2 points, 14.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game, and both her rebound and block numbers led the district. For her efforts that season, she was named first team all-district. Knight made second team all-district as a freshman and helped guide her high school team to the bi-district and district championships. She is another highly-regarded prospect out of this class and ranks as high as No. 110 nationally. Knight is also a member of the Texas Elite Christian squad, coached by Brenton Christian.
JORDAN LEWIS
Lewis, a 5-7 guard from Orlando, Fla., led Lake Highland Prep, coached by Al Honor, to the 2015 class 4A state championship and was named first team all-state. She was also named to the Orlando Sentinel's All-Area First Team as a junior and third team as a freshman.
"Jordan is a dynamic guard that is fun to watch because she can impact a game on both ends of the floor with her presence on the ball defensively and her playmaking in multiple ways on the offensive end," Curry said. "With her strong, college-ready frame, Jordan has the ability to take a bump and finish in traffic along with shooting the three. She has a way of making all of those around her better with her court savvy and leadership skills."
The two-time varsity team captain has made several all-tournament teams, including the 2013 Queen of Palms Tournament and the 2011 Osceola Thanksgiving Tournament and was named the 2015 Think Pink Tournament Player of the Game. Lewis has been a member of the varsity squad since 2011. She also plays for coach Al Honor on the Central Florida Elite team where, during the summer of 2015, she was the third leading scoring in the Girls Nike EYBL, averaging 17 points, while shooting 73 percent from the free throw line. Like her fellow signees, Lewis is ranked nationally by every scouting service and is as high as No. 72.
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