Only months into her new job as head coach, Joanne P. McCallie is already making her mark at Duke. And she's doing it before even coaching a single game in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Last week, McCallie received verbal commitments from shooting guard Kathleen Scheer and point guard Chelsea Hopkins. The two players are the first players in the 2008 recruiting class to commit to the Blue Devils under McCallie's tenure.
With their announcements, Scheer and Hopkins strengthen a group that already included Shay Selby, the No. 1 point guard from the class and the 13th-ranked player overall according to HoopGurlz.com. Selby, who initially was recruited by former head coach Gail Goestenkors, respected the verbal commitment she made to Duke a year ago. Despite having to deal with a transition period at the peak of recruiting season, McCallie has proven that she can compete with the rest of the nation's best.
Scheer, ranked No. 21 in the nation, recently narrowed her options down to Duke and Iowa State before making her final choice last Wednesday. As the reigning Player of the Year of the Four Rivers Conference in Missouri, Scheer based her choice on the opportunity to get out of the small-town atmosphere of New Haven as well as the Blue Devils' coaching staff.
"It was a gut feeling and I just felt [Duke] was the right place for me," Scheer said. "Any little girl who plays basketball grows up watching the powerhouses. Just being considered by Duke is an honor and being asked to play here is incredible."
Although she currently plays on the wing for New Haven High School, Scheer is open to switching positions upon her arrival to Duke. With talented guards Hopkins and Selby as well as current freshman Jasmine Thomas, the backcourt will be crowded in 2008.
Unlike Scheer, Hopkins went under the radar of most major coaches after finishing her junior year at Mojave High School in Las Vegas. Everything changed for the guard, however, when she played on the West Coast Elite club team over the summer. Using the national exposure as an opportunity to showcase her skills, Hopkins began attracting the attention of coaches outside the West Coast.
Before making her commitment to Duke, the guard also considered attending USC and Texas. The decision ultimately hinged on Hopkins' interest in academics, as the high school senior is currently ranked second in her class. The idea of facing a higher level of competition was also a key component for Hopkins becoming a Blue Devil.
"When I get [to Duke], I know my practices are going to be more competitive," Hopkins said. "I've always been the one who scores all the points and never had someone challenge me and make me a better player. Now I'm going to make progress everyday with girls who are bigger, stronger and faster than me testing my limits."
The two newest additions to the Blue Devils have already forged a bond after meeting during their official visit Sept. 21. Before either decided to attend Duke, they kept in contact, updating each other on their decisions.
The pair are also beginning to know their classmate Selby, as well. The 5-foot-9 native of suburban Cleveland will bring the speed and passing that has been central to the success of past Blue Devil squads.
Despite committing to Goestenkors last year, Selby chose to honor her decision with the change of coaching staff, thanks largely to assertive recruiting by McCallie when she was still the head coach at Michigan State.
"The team is the same," Selby said. "I didn't just pick Duke because of the coach. [Goestenkors] was a great coach and I really liked her, but it was ultimately about the school and the academics."
With the 2008 class stacked with impressive guards, McCallie is looking for a post player to complete the package. Nneka Ogwumike, ranked sixth in the nation, is taking her official visit to Duke this weekend. If the Blue Devils can secure their final prospect, their recruiting class will once again rank highly among the elite programs in the nation.
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