UofL women to sign their best class ever

With five top-notch commitments, including arguably the nation's top prospect, Louisville women's coach Jeff Walz is poised to sign the best recruiting class in program history on Wednesday during the fall signing period. It's also considered possibly the best class in the country this year.

U of L's class is ranked No. 1 nationally by ESPN.com and ProspectsNation.com and No. 2 by All-Star Girls Report. The Cardinals' top pledge, Atlanta guard Asia Durr, is No. 1 by ProspectsNation and No. 2 by ESPN and ASGR.

Walz also has landed commitments from point guard Taja Cole, wing Brianna Jones, power forward Samantha Fuehring and center Erin DeGrate, all of whom are considered major prizes and top-50 talents.

"They basically got somebody at every position," said ASGR analyst Bret McCormick, who rated U of L's class slightly behind Connecticut's. "They've really helped themselves."

McCormick has Durr No. 2 behind UConn commit Katie Lou Samuelson but said the difference in the quality of the two is negligible.

"Durr can do it all," McCormick said. "There's nothing she can't do. She can defend. She's left-handed and can score any way you want off the bounce, she's got a high motor. She's just a complete player."

U of L's other pledges are rated No. 15 (Cole), 27 (DeGrate), 33 (Jones) and 48 (Fuehring) by ASGR. How has Walz done it?

"I think it's just Jeff," McCormick said. "He really gets involved in recruiting. He just does what it takes. He's got a good staff of recruiters, too, but Jeff is the constant in the whole thing. The kids like him, and he's just a great coach. He's one of those coaches who always just gets more out of his players to overachieve. Who gave them a chance to beat Baylor (in 2013)? Nobody."

The Kentucky women will sign a strong four-player class that's ranked No. 12 by ASGR and features top in-state wings Maci Morris of Bell County and Morgan Rich of Allen County-Scottsville.

Strong, athletic New Jersey power forward Batouly Camara, rated No. 17 by ASGR, and Maryland point guard Taylor Murray (No. 35) round out the class. Morris is No. 44 nationally and Rich No. 80.

"Matthew Mitchell wants kids that love Kentucky, and nobody loves Kentucky more than Maci Morris," McCormick said. "Batouly is a great athlete, strong body. Morris is a great scorer. Murray is a true point guard who will run the show and make all the right decisions. Rich will probably surprise some people."

Steve Jones can be reached at (502) 582-7176 and followed on Twitter at @SteveJones_CJ.