NORFOLK, Va. - First-year women's basketball head coach DeLisha Milton-Jones signed four players to the 2021 recruiting class in Ashanti Barnes, Eden Sample, Kaylen Nelson and Amhyia Moreland.
"I'm really excited about our 2021 recruiting class," expressed Milton-Jones. "We have a very versatile group that is skilled. They afford us the luxury of playing many different styles of play as well as opening up creativity within our lineups."
Ashanti Barnes
Position: Wing/Forward
Height: 6-1
Hometown: Norfolk, Va.
High School: Lake Taylor High School
AAU Program: Boo Williams (BWSL)
Academic Interests: Computer Technology
Athletic & Academic Accolades: 2020 VHSL (Virginia High School League) 4A All-State selection.. Helped lead Lake Taylor High School to a 2019 State Championship.. First-Team 4A All-State.. First Team All-Region honoree.. Second-Team All-Tidewater selection.. Averaged 15.7 point and 14 rebounds per game.
Other Schools Considered: Rutgers, James Madison, William & Mary, West Virginia, North Carolina A&T and Temple.
Milton-Jones on Barnes: "Ashanti is a dynamic player with an unlimited skill set. She's a product of the 757 and we look forward to seeing her captivate the community with her growth on the court. Ashanti is used to the spotlight and I can't wait to see how brightly she shines in the near future."
Eden Sample
Position: Guard
Height: 5-11
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
High School: Collins Hill High School
AAU Program: FBC (Finest Basketball Club)
Academic Interests: Biology
Athletic & Academic Accolades: First-Team All-Conference.. Georgia All-Regional Team.. Brookwood Holiday Tournament MVP.. Led Collins Hill in scoring with 16.5 ppg and shot 37% from beyond the arc.
Other Schools Considered: Georgia State, Elon, Arkansas Little Rock, East Carolina, Stony Brook and Mercer.
Milton-Jones on Sample: "Eden is what I call steady. She will come in and be added ammunition for our offensive and defensive abilities as a team. Her personality and savvy play will be enjoyable for our fans to witness."
Kaylen Nelson
Position: Guard/Forward
Height: 5-11
Hometown: Tulsa, Okla.
High School: Union High School
AAU Program: Tulsa Shock
Academic Interests: Exercise Science
Athletic & Academic Accolades: Averaged 12.8 points as a junior, helping lead her team to a 21-5 record and a second consecutive 6A state tournament berth.. All-World Conference Second-Team selection and an All-Frontier Conference pick.. A member of the Athletic Directors Honor Roll and Academic All-Conference Award.
Other Schools Considered: UTEP, Northwestern State and Tulsa.
Milton-Jones on Nelson: "Kaylen is a grinder. She only knows one way to play and that's hard!!! Her toughness and aggressiveness will fit in seamlessly with our current offensive philosophy."
Amhyia Moreland
Position: Forward
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Height: 6-1
High School: Zebulon B. Vance High School
AAU Program: Steph Curry Elite
Academic Interests: Biomedical & Health Sciences
Athletic & Academic Accolades: Won the 2019-20 State Championship with Zebulon B. Vance.. Two-time I-Meck All Conference First-Team selection.. North Carolina State Championship All-Tournament Team... Averaged 10 points & 9 rebounds per game this past season.. Currently holds a 3.6 GPA and is four-time honor roll recipient.
Other Schools Considered: Coppin State, Elon, Eastern Kentucky, Hampton, Campbell and North Carolina A&T.
Milton-Jones on Moreland: "Amhyia is a very deceptive player. Her ability to put the ball on the floor to attack the rim from the center position is a welcoming sight. She has very good hands and nice shooting range that will serve us well."
