ATLANTA, Ga.—The Atlanta Tipoff Club has announced the three finalists for the 2014 Naismith Girl’s High School Player of the year. Seniors A’Ja Wilson (Hopkins, S.C.) and Brianna Turner (Pearland, Texas) are joined by 2015 standout Katie Lou Samuelson (Huntington Beach, Calif.) on the final ballot for the most highly regarded individual recognition on the scholastic level. This year’s winner will be the 28th recipient representing the elite of high school players nationwide.
The 6-4 Wilson, who plays for Heathwood Hall, can be found ranked in the top two of any listing of the top players in the 2014 class. The versatile forward has a combination of size and skills that allows her to be an impact player around the rim or further out on the perimeter. She can create her own looks on the catch down low but is equally adept developing opportunities off the dribble. Wilson averaged 10.9 points helping the USA Basketball U-19 team claim gold last summer in the FIBA U-19 World Championships. Recently named to the McDonald’s All-American team, the uncommitted standout has narrowed her college choices to Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Manvel High School’s Turner has been comfortably in the fold with the fighting Irish of Notre Dame since her verbal commitment last May and subsequent signing during the November early period. Another 2014 McDonald’s All-American, this 6-3 forward has a similar versatile skill set to Wilson’s that will serve her well at the college level and beyond. Turner’s length challenges defensive match ups and her first step allows her to exploit opponents of any size. She has the ability to be a factor in transition and is an impact at the defensive end of the floor. The Texas native has claimed gold three times with USA Basketball joining Wilson on last summer’s U-19 squad as well as nabbing top honors with the 2012 USA 3×3 U18 World Championship Team and the 2012 USA U17 World Championship Team.
Samuelson is the third installment of a family trilogy that may have saved the best for last. That’s saying a lot when you consider that older sisters Bonnie and Karlie both suit up for Tara VanDerveer at Stanford. Playing for renowned Mater Dei High School, this 6-3 wing is one of the most challenging defensive assignments on the high school level. Possessing the same long range attack as her elder siblings, she commands tight close outs from defenders well beyond the three point line. Off the dribble she’s become more and more effective navigating traffic as well as finishing with contact. Samuelson has already left her mark with USA Basketball averaging 16 points en route to the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 Championship. On her way to gold Samuelson offered up an 18 of 34 (.529) effort from long range for the event including a record 8 for 8 punctuation mark in the championship game.
Naismith honors were first awarded to Ventura, Iowa’s Lynne Lorenzen back in 1987. Last year’s crown rested with North Carolina freshman Diamond DeShields of Norcross, Georgia. UConn’s Breanna Stewart and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis were recognized the preceding two seasons while Chiney Ogwumike of Stanford rounds out the past recipients currently on college rosters.
Should Katie Lou Samuelson get the nod she will be in a position to join just two other individuals who were recognized twice during their high school careers. Candace Parker (Tennessee / Los Angeles Sparks) and Maya Moore (UConn / Minnesota Lynx) were honored during both their junior and senior seasons.
Seven times the Naismith recipient has signed a National Letter of Intent with UConn, though in 2008 Elena Delle Donnetransferred to the University of Delaware during her initial summer enrollment. Tennessee follows with four honorees but did enjoy the services of another with the transfer of 1991 winner Michelle Marciniak from Notre Dame. From a conference standpoint, the SEC leads the way through the years laying claim to nine Naismith signees, ten if you count Marciniak.
This year’s final announcement is slated for February 24th when girls and boys players of the year as well as high school coaches of the year will be named.
