THE FLATS — Georgia Tech women’s basketball coach MaChelle Joseph announced on Wednesday that Kierra Fletcher, Daijah Jefferson and Taja Cummings have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Yellow Jackets program in the 2017-18 season.
“My staff did an outstanding job of going out and securing three of the best student-athletes in the country,” commented Joseph. “These are not only the type of players who will help us win in the ACC and post-season, but they are student-athletes that will be highly successful at Georgia Tech.”
Georgia Tech’s incoming class is ranked No. 16 by ProspectsNation and No. 18 by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.
Kierra Fletcher — 5’9″ Warren Cousino High School, Warren, Mich. — G
Ranked 16th at her position by ProspectsNation, Kierra Fletcher is also ranked No. 14th by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and 17th by All-Star Girls Basketball Report in her position. Overall, Fletcher was tabbed the No. 44 recruit by All-Star Girls Basketball Report, 51st by espnW HoopGurlz, 53rd by both Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and 58th by ProspectsNation.
“Kierra Fletcher is a competitor in every sense of the word,” commented Joseph. “She is a player that every coach would love to have on their team. She plays both ends of the floor with relentless effort. A combo guard with a scorer’s mentality, Kierra will give us depth on the perimeter. I am excited to watch Kierra develop in our program over the next four years and watch the impact she will have here at Georgia Tech and in the ACC.”
Last season, Fletcher helped lead Warren Cousino to its first-ever state championship after scoring 27 points in the season finale. The Michigan native was a First Team Class A All-State selection in 2016 and Free Press’ Class A all-state second team as a sophomore after leading the Patriots with 23 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Fletcher capped her junior season earning the 2015-16 MLive Detroit Player of the Year for girls’ basketball.
What They Are Saying About Fletcher
“Kierra Fletcher blossomed into a national name during the end of last season and has continued to impress,” Olsen noted. “Fletcher’s strength is her mid-range game, creating, attacking while bringing size to the back court.”
“Kierra Fletcher’s game is reminiscent of current Georgia Tech all-time leading scorer Ty Marshall,” said Moore. “She is a talented scorer who plays the game with energy on both sides of the ball. Due to her energy and willingness to compete, Fletcher should be able to contribute early in her career.”
Daijah Jefferson — 6’2″ Hopewell High School, Hopewell, Va. — F
Daijah Jefferson joins the Yellow Jackets as the 8th ranked post player by ProspectsNation and 43rd overall player. She is ranked No. 56 by espnW HoopGurlz and No. 58 by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. In her position, Jefferson is ranked 14th by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.
“Daijah Jefferson is an outstanding student-athlete,” Joseph noted. “At 6’2″, she can play five positions on the floor. She fits our system and will add to our versatility. She can sprint to screens, press and run the floor with anyone in the ACC. I am excited about the opportunity to coach Daijah.”
What They Are Saying About Jefferson
“Daijah is an ultra-athletic prospect with superior length and agility with an emerging offensive game,” Olsen said. “Jefferson’s ability to perform in the paint, out-quick opponents and defend with versatility is over shadowed by her off-the-charts potential.”
“At Georgia Tech, 6’2″ wing Daijah Jefferson has the potential to blossom into an impactful two-way player,” Moore commented. “Her length and athleticism will give her tools to be an effective on ball defender while her emerging offensive skill level could allow her to be an effective inside-outside scoring threat.”
Taja Cummings — 5’6″ St. Francis High School, Alpharetta, Ga. — Point Guard
A Georgia native, point guard Taja Cummings has led St. Francis High School to two consecutive Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class A private state championships in 2015 and 2016. Taja — All-Star Girls Basketball Report ranks Cummings as the No. 123 recruit in the 2017 class.
“Taja Cummings is a leader,” Joseph said. “She has won on every level. She is a point guard who knows how to run a team. She has a pass first mentality and is fearless on the defensive end! I am excited that Taja will stay in Atlanta and help lead our program to the top of the ACC.”
What They Are Saying About Cummings
“Taja Cummings is a high-motor speedster that has helped direct St. Francis High School in Atlanta to two consecutive state titles,” commented Dan Olsen, owner of Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. “She will help make Georgia Tech tough to contain in the open court with her proven ability to run a team in a half-court game. Cummings’ forte is in the open floor where she can utilize her speed and explosiveness.”
“Taja is a class point guard,” Keil Moore of ProspectsNation and JumpOffPlus stated. “She plays the game looking to make an impact by pressuring the ball on defense or passing to create a shot for a teammate on offense. Cummings has a great basketball IQ and uses her tools well on both sides of the ball.”
What They Are Saying About Georgia Tech’s Recruiting Class of 2017
“Georgia Tech has landed three prospects in the class of 2017, giving the Yellow Jackets a blend of explosive speed, ultra-athleticism and high ceiling potential.” — Dan Olsen, Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW HoopGurlz
“Georgia Tech head coach MaChelle Joseph and her staff have put together another Top 25 class this year. The three player class of Taja Cummings, Kierra Fletcher and Daijah Jefferson gives the ACC program quality talent with the ability to make an early impact at the perimeter positions.” — Keil Moore, ProspectsNation and JumpOffPlus
