The No. 4 player in the class of 2027, Jezelle "GG" Banks, has had a summer filled with highlights -- from her performance at the inaugural WNBA All-Star Shooting Stars competition in July to her clips from Overtime Select going viral this month. As her stock keeps rising, Banks is getting a clearer idea of where she might want to play college basketball. When asked about her visits and the top programs she is looking at, the 17-year-old five-star recruit had four names: Texas, LSU, South Carolina and Ohio State.
"I think that's probably going to be it until I make my decision," she told CBS Sports. "Those are the schools that have communicated with me the most, been there from the beginning. Also schools that I see myself fitting into the system.
Not only that, but I have a great bond with all of the coaches at those schools." GG Banks (No. 4 in the class of 2027) on her recruitment: Texas, LSU, South Carolina & Ohio State: “Those are the schools right now that have been communicating with me the most, been there from the beginning. Also schools that I see myself fitting into the system.” pic.twitter.com/fWwAMLlHQG As a point guard, Banks also looks at the coaches' experience with her position, either as a player themselves or developing point guards in their programs. This applies to all four of these schools.
Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey ran point themselves and have also developed successful point guards -- most recently former Gamecock Raven Johnson. Meanwhile, Vic Schaefer was part of Rori Harmon's historic career in Texas. And Kevin McGuff's Ohio State roster is currently benefiting from Jaloni Cambridge, who is fresh off a breakout season.
Banks also looks for a balance between freedom and development. "Definitely somewhere where a coach will allow me to make mistakes, not change who I am, but definitely develop my game," she said. "That will be a big thing." Here is what you need to know about GG Banks a year before she starts her college career: Banks spent her first two high school years at Ursuline Academy in Delaware, where she made a strong impression as a freshman, averaging 22.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 3.0 assists per game.
Last year, she transferred to the St. James Performance Academy in Virginia to face tougher competition and to work closely with coach Tamika Dudley -- who has developed some strong point guards , including Kiki Rice, who won a national championship with UCLA earlier this year. Banks averaged 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.4 steals throughout her junior year and is ready to finish her high school career even stronger.
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