THE FLATS — On National Signing Day, the Georgia Tech women’s basketball team inked five prospects comprising the No. 7 signing class according to Prospect Nation. The five-member class includes two top-15 prospects and is also ranked No. 9 by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.
“Our staff did an outstanding job of identifying elite student-athletes that can help us move the needle here at Georgia Tech and position ourselves for an opportunity to win a championship,” commented head coach MaChelle Joseph on the signing class. “This is one of the nation’s elite classes. We are very excited to welcome them to our Georgia Tech women’s basketball family.”
Elizabeth Balogun — 6’1″, G (Hamilton Heights High School, Lagos, Nigeria)
A top-ten recruit by All Star Girls Report coming in at No. 9, Balogun attended Hamilton Heights in Chattanooga, Tenn., where she helped lead the program to a 2017 USA National Prep School national championship. Hamilton Heights also claimed the 2017 National Association of Christian Athletes national championship and finished runners-up at the Dick’s Sporting Goods National Championship. She comes in as the No. 12 ranked recruit by Blue Star and No. 17 Prospect Nation having been named to the Dick’s National Girls All-Tournament team. During her time at Hamilton Heights, Balogun also picked up Run 4 the Roses Tournament MVP and Rhea County Christmas Tournament MVP honors.
“Liz is an elite athlete that has size, athleticism, and most importantly, the work ethic to be an impact player in the ACC,” stated Joseph. “She is a versatile guard that can change the game on both ends.”
What They’re Saying About Balogun
“Elizabeth Balogun is in the discussion as one of the premier wings in the country. She can make an immediate impact on The Flats.” — Keil Moore, Prospect Nation
“Nearly as key in the signing class is No. 23 Elizabeth Balogun, a powerful, versatile front court prospect. She will be a tough matchup, driver, versatile defender and is capable of beating you inside or out.” – Dan Olson, Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
Jasmine Carson — 5’10”, G (McEachern Powder Springs High School, Memphis, Tenn.)
Carson played two years at Memphis Central where she helped the team to a district championship as a sophomore. She will conclude her high school playing career at McEachern. Carson has earned rankings by several organizations including All Star Girls Report (No. 84), Prospect Nation (No. 86), Collegiate Girls Basketball Report (No. 109) and Blue Star (No. 122).
“Jazz is one of the most elite three-point shooters in this class,” Joseph noted. “She has the ability to become a prolific shooter in the ACC. We are excited about Jasmine’s ability to space the floor with her range and ability to make plays off the bounce.”
What They’re Saying About Carson
“I got to see Carson for the first time this summer and she can flat out shoot the basketball. It’s going to be exciting to see what she brings to Georgia Tech’s backcourt.” — Keil Moore, Prospect Nation
“Jasmine Carson has adept long distance range, is explosive off the dribble, tough to defend, adds back court depth and potential to be a star in the major college game.” – Dan Olson, Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
Elizabeth Dixon — 6’5″, F (Ridgeway High School, Memphis, Tenn.)
The No. 13-ranked prospect by Blue Star, Dixon has earned several accolades. During the 2016-17 season, she was selected to be a part of the All USA 2nd Team by USA Today and the All-State team by the SCIAA. That same year, she also picked up all-district honors and was named to the all-tournament team. Dixon is ranked No. 19 by Prospect Nation and Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and No. 24 by All Star Girls Report.
“Liz Dixon is a program changer,” commented Joseph. “She is an elite student-athlete. She can control a game on the defensive end with her shot blocking ability. She runs the floor like a guard and can score in multiple ways. Her skill set has continued to improve and her work ethic is unmatched. We are excited about the impact Liz will have on our program.”
What They’re Saying About Dixon
“Liz Dixon is the type of player that could be the centerpiece of a program. She has elite size and athleticism, and over the past 18 months, has started to show exponential skill development.” — Keil Moore, Prospect Nation
“Dixon should make an early impact in the ACC. Quick, athletic and consistence in her ability to finish on the interior with an emerging face up threat will make Dixon all the more difficult to defend.” — Dan Olson, Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
D’Asia Gregg — 6’2″, F (Wilson High School, Florence, S.C.)
A first-team all-conference honoree last season, Gregg helped lead Wilson High School to a S.C. State Finalist Class 4A in 2016-17 and the Final Four Class 4A, lower state champion. She was tabbed all-area by Florence Morning News in 2016 and to the WPDE All Hoop Zone team in 2017. In 2015-16, Gregg picked up second team all-conference honors after leading her school to a lower state finalist. Gregg is ranked No. 88 by All Star Girls Report, No. 89 by Prospect Nation and No. 99 by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.
“D’Asia is a point forward,” Joseph noted.” She has the ability to play all five positions on the court. She is quite possibly the most versatile player in this class. We love her ability to make plays with the basketball. She has exceptional passing skills and is extremely unselfish.”
What They’re Saying About Greg
“Gregg is one of the most versatile players in the 2018 class. She guards multiple positions, can shoot the ball from the perimeter, pass and handle the ball, along with the ability to score in the post.” — Keil Moore, Prospect Nation
“Versatility is the key to Gregg. She is multi-positional that has a high ceiling. A sleeper prospect in the class of 2018.” – Dan Olson, Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
Lotta-Maj Lahtinen — 5’7″, G (Makelanrinne Sports High, Helsinki, Finland)
A native of Finland, Lahtinen comes to The Flats with a flare of international playing experience. She has played with the Finnish National Team from 2014-17 and the women’s National Team in the European Championship qualifiers in 2016. With her school, she finished third in the high school world championships in 2017 and reached the Finnish women’s Division I championship and Finnish youth championship in 2016. In 2015, she won the women’s Finnish Championship, while taking silver in the Finnish youth championship league. Lahtinen has picked up MVP honors with Basketball Without Borders Global Camp in 2017 and Europe Camp in 2016. She is the 23rd-ranked international prospect by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.
“Lotta-Maj is an exceptional student-athlete with a high basketball IQ,” said Joseph. “She is a tireless worker who competes on every possession. She has a toughness and maturity about her game that you see when she steps on the floor. She is a true combo guard with the ability to play multiple positions.”
What They’re Saying about Lahtinen
“Lotta-Maj Lahtinen combines a sharp, savvy skill set and a hard hat mentality. She is definitely one of the top guards in the European youth championship system. Her leadership skills are second to none.” — Daniel Prince, Passion Hoops International
“During my 40 years of coaching, I have had a lot of great players, but nobody like Lotta-Maj. Her dedication and ability to be coached are special. She never complains and nobody works harder than she does. Lotta-Maj understands the game and has the ability to get people around her involved.” — Pekka Salminen, Finnish Basketball Association
“It wouldn’t be a traditional Georgia Tech recruiting class without an elite European prospect. Lotta-Maj is one of the best point guards in the 2018 class and will give Georgia Tech backcourt depth for years to come.” — Keil Moore, Prospect Nation
“Tech went overseas to land Lotta-Maj Lahtinen. The 23rd-overall international prospect is an athletic lead-guard with combo-skills and brings a solid offensive arsenal and court awareness.” – Dan Olson, Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
What They’re Saying About Tech’s Recruiting Class
“This year’s Georgia Tech recruiting class is comprised of some of the country’s elite players. What MaChelle Joseph and her staff have done with their recruiting efforts has put them in the position to rank among the country’s elite recruiting class and could arguably be the premier class in the ACC.” — Keil Moore, Prospect Nation
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