Wake Forest Signs Highly-Touted 2014 Class
11/15/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 15, 2013
By Gary Petit, Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeWBB)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest head coach Jen Hoover announced the signing of three top-100 ranked players in the class of 2014. Amber Campbell, Nicole Floyd and Taylor Gordon signed National Letters of Intent this week.
"We are incredibly proud to welcome three new Demon Deacons and their families into our program," Hoover said. "Amber, Nicole, and Taylor are all extremely driven, humble, and passionate, and they epitomize the values of Wake Forest Women's basketball. There is no doubt that all three will make a meaningful impact on the basketball court, in the classroom, and out in the community."
"They all come from great families that are extremely supportive of them and of our program," Hoover continued. "They also are coming from winning programs, are great teammates, and love basketball. We are confident that the Wake Forest community will love watching these three develop as leaders and champions during their careers."
Wake Forest's 2014 class is one of the higher ranked classes in recent history. Prospectnation.com has the Deacon class ranked No. 15 and sixth-best among ACC schools. Blue Star Basketball has the class ranked No. 20 and fifth-best in the ACC. This is the second-straight top-25 class that the Demon Deacons have signed.
"Our staff did a great job identifying talent and skill, developing meaningful relationships, and showcasing Wake Forest in a significant way," Hoover said. "I can't thank them enough for their hard work."
Campbell is a 5-8, guard from Northwood Academy in Charleston, S.C. She is one of the top-scorers in the state, having already scored over 3,000 points and being named SCISA Miss Basketball each of the last three seasons. Campbell averaged over 31 points a game last season en route to leading Northwood to a state semifinal appearance. She received a scouts grade of 95 according to ESPN HoopGurlz and was one of only 3 high school seniors invited to the U-19 USA Women's Basketball Team Trials this past summer.
"Amber is a quick, explosive guard that is a tremendous scorer and complete basketball player," said Hoover. "Her speed and athleticism will allow her to flourish in our uptempo style of play and in our offensive system. She also has an incredible work ethic and is a fierce competitor who's desire to be the very best will help elevate us to the next level."
Floyd is a three-year letterwinner at Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, Va. The 6-2 post player, also led her team to a state semifinal appearance last season, averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds per game and earning All-State honors. Floyd is ranked No. 52 in the Class of 2014 according to Blue Star Basketball and is an ESPN HoopGurlz Top-100 player.
"Nicole is an extremely versatile power forward that can score with her back to the basket or step out and knock down the three," Hoover said. "She embraces and enjoys contact and is relentless fighting for position on the block and in rebounding the basketball. No one is going to out-work her on the court. Her physicality and versatility will allow her to make an instant impact in Black and Gold."
Gordon is a 5-11, guard from Powder Springs, Ga. She has good outside shooting ability and has shown she can get to the rim with power. She is ranked No. 70 by Prospectnation in the class of 2014. Gordon plays her high school ball at McEachern for Phyllis Arthur and her AAU ball for Damon Wilson and AOT.
"Taylor's versatility is a big part of her game. She is a big, strong wing that can do a little bit of everything on the court," said Hoover. "She can shoot the three, slash to the basket, defend multiple positions, and has a tremendous basketball IQ. We also love that Taylor makes others around her better, plays with great energy, and works extremely hard at developing her game. She is also a phenomenal student and a perfect fit for the Wake Forest Community."
"I also would like to thank everyone that is associated with our amazing university," Hoover said. "The assistance we received in our recruiting has been instrumental in helping us land back to back top 25 recruiting classes. We appreciate all of time and support from our Wake Forest family."
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Amber Campbell
5-8, Guard
Charleston, S.C.
Northwood Academy
What they are saying...
"I cannot say enough about having had the pleasure of coaching Amber Campbell. Amber is one of the hardest working players that I have ever coached. She never stops working to improve areas of her game. Amber will call me and ask me to open the gym for her on off days. She, often times, comes to the gym in the morning before school to do a shooting workout then showers and heads to class for the day. This work ethic, outside of regularly scheduled practice, has been contagious as so many of my other players now ask to work out in the morning or before or after practice. Amber leads this team by example and has given Northwood Academy girls basketball a reputation as one of the finest programs in the state. As I think about Amber when I first met her in 7th grade, I think about a quiet child who worked so hard both in the classroom and on the court, who has matured into a vocal leader on our campus. Northwood Academy is one of the top academic schools in the low country so it couldn't please us any more than to have Amber choose a university with the academic reputation of Wake Forest." -- Presley Singleton, head coach at Northwood Academy
Prior to Wake Forest
Ranked No. 61 in the 2014 Class on ESPN HoopGurlz ... Received an ESPN HoopGurlz scouts grade of 95 ... Is a four-year letterwinner at Northwood Academy playing for head coach Presley Singleton ... Just the ninth player in South Carolina High School history to reach 3,000 career points as a junior ... Enters her senior season seventh on the South Carolina High School scoring list ... Averaged 31.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.4 steals per game as a junior ... Led Northwood to a 26-5 record in 2012-13 and a state semifinal appearance ... Named SCISA 3A Miss Basketball each of her first three seasons ... Plays for the Georgia Metros AAU team ... Helped the Metros to the Nike National Silver Bracket Championship ... Was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2013 Battle of the Boro ... Was invited to the 2013 USA Basketball Women's U19 World Championship Team Trials.
Background
Full name is Amber LaShay Campbell ... Born on November 24, 1994, in Charleston, S.C. ... Daughter of Shawn Campbell and Darren Dean ... Has one brother, Devin. ... Her uncle Shelton Campbell played basketball at The Citadel.
Nicole Floyd
6-2, Post
Manassas, Va.
Stonewall Jackson
What they are saying...
"Wake Forest is not only getting a great athlete in Nicole, but a great teammate, leader and person. She is an ultimate competitor who possesses a strong skillset and inside presence with an extended range. Nicole has a winning attitude, an eagerness to learn and a fantastic work ethic. She is a great fit for WF and will be very fun to coach!" -- Diana Martinez, head coach at Stonewall Jackson.
Prior to Wake Forest
Three-year letterwinner at Stonewall Jackson High School for Diana Martinez ... Led the Raiders to the state semifinals as a junior after averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds per game ... Named VHSCA AAA All-State first team, Washington Post DC All-Met first team, Cedar Run District first team and Northwest Region first team ... Was the Cedar Run and Northwest Regional Player of the Year ... Plays for the PSPA Rams AAU Team and coach Jason Harris ... Ranked 52 in the 2014 class by Blue Star Basketball.
Background
Full name is Nicole Dominique Floyd ... Born on October 15, 1995, in Ft. Polk, Louisiana ... Daughter of Derek and Sonya Floyd ... Has two brothers, Tarik and Reginald ... Five high school teammates are playing basketball at the division I level including Nicole Sterling at Miami.
Taylor Gordon
5-11, Guard
Powder Springs, Ga.
McEachern
What they are saying...
"Taylor is a joy to coach. She has a high basketball IQ. She knows all aspects of the game and she makes it enjoyable to coach and spectate. I hate it that I will only have her on the court for a short time. But I know that Taylor and I will cherish this year." - Phyllis Arthur, head coach at McEachern High School
Prior to Wake Forest
A strong guard with good outside shooting ability ... Played her final two years for Phyllis Arthur at McEachern High School after attending North Cobb High School her first two years ... Led the team in three-pointers made and three-pointer shooting percentage as a junior ... Ranked No. 70 by Prospectnation in the class of 2014 ... Plays AAU basketball for Damon Wilson on the talented AOT ... Received a scouts grade of 89 according to ESPN HoopGurlz.
Background
Full name is Taylor J. Gordon ... Born on October 8, 1995 in Austell, Ga. ... Daughter of Tonya Gordon and David Gordon ... Has one brother, Devin.
