Feb. 18, 2014
Similar to senior Tyaunna Marshall, high school senior Imani Tilford broke her school’s all-time scoring record this season. Tilford, a 5′ 7″ point guard who signed her National Letter of Intent in November to join the Yellow Jackets in 2014, broke Woodlands High School’s all-time scoring record of 1,789 points on Feb. 6, 2014 – the same day Marshall broke Georgia Tech’s all-time record.
And just like Marshall did her freshman season, Tilford will bring speed and scoring ability to the Jackets.
“Im¬ani is a true point guard,” head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “She can score and distribute. She knows how to make everyone around her better. The thing we are excited about is Imani is one of the best defenders we have seen. She can run our system on both ends of the floor. Imani brings skill, speed and scoring ability to our point guard position.”
Tilford, who hails from Greenburgh, N.Y. is averaging 25 ppg, 6 rpg, 6 apg and 3 spg her senior season at Woodlands High School. She currently has 1,848 career points and she also broke the Woodlands High School single game scoring record, after scoring 45 points against Irvington. Tilford also recorded the school’s first ever triple double against Eastchester, scoring 14 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 11 assists.
“I am so excited to be at Georgia Tech this season I really can’t put into words or pick one thing,” Tilford said. “I am finishing my senior season strong both academically and on the basketball court and then will move onto the next step. It is going to be great. I can’t wait.”
Tilfod and fellow signees, Zaire O’Neil and Erin Garner make up Prospect Nation’s 11th-rated class. The trio was also tabbed by the All Star Girls Report as the No. 18-ranked recruiting class and ranked the No. 30 class in the nation by Blue Star Basketball. The three will join the Jackets for the 2014-15 season.
“If I had to describe the Georgia Tech coaching staff in five words they would be loving, caring, funny, well rounded and amazing,” Tilford said. “I communicate with the coaching staff as often as possible. I enjoy following them on twitter and staying in touch with what is going on with the team and the season. The whole staff is amazing and I can’t wait to be coached by them.”
Tilford has garnered many accolades so far her senior season after being named the New Year’s Resolution MVP, the Rose Classic Super Jam MVP, the Tina Thompson Showcase MVP and the Dapper McDonald Classic MVP. Woodlands High School won the dapper McDonald Classic and is ranked #7 in Class B.
“I chose Georgia Tech because it is city-like, the team welcomed me with open arms, and it is a great academic school that will open doors for me after I get a degree,” Tilford said.
Name: Imani Tilford
Nickname: “Chubbs”
Hometown: Greenburgh, NY
High School: Woodlands HS
Favorite Restaurant: Buffalo Wild Wings
Favorite Movie: Love & basketball
Favorite Basketball player: Kobe Bryant
Favorite food: Cheeseburgers
Major you plan to pursue: Education
Fast forward four years to your senior year at Georgia Tech, what will you have wanted to accomplish? I hope in my four years at Georgia Tech I leave having made a major impact in the ACC and break Ty Marshall’s Georgia Tech career scoring record with over 2,000 points.
Dreams after Georgia Tech: My dreams after Georgia Tech are to play in the WNBA or overseas and to one day be a high school teacher.
Have you been following the Jackets this season? I have been following the team and the ACC all season. I think the team is doing well this season and am really excited that they just won two big games against North Carolina and Miami. I hope they keep it going down the stretch run and into the ACC and NCAA tournament.
What do people say to you when they find out you are going to Georgia Tech? When I tell people I am going to Georgia Tech, they say “Georgia Tech? Really? That’s a great school! Good for you, you will love it in Atlanta.”
