The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
11.11.2015 | Women's Basketball
It is the second consecutive top-six recruiting class for Texas.
AUSTIN, Texas – The University of Texas women's basketball program has inked one of the nation's top signing classes for the 2016-17 year, head coach Karen Aston announced Wednesday. The Longhorns secured a consensus top-five class, including a No. 3 ranking from ESPN.com and Blue Star Report.
It is the second consecutive top-six recruiting class for Texas and the third top-15 recruiting class in as many years for the Longhorns.
With Wednesday's announcement, Texas has added four of the nation's top players, including two top-10 recruits according to ESPN.com. The freshman class includes: G/F Joyner Holmes (Cedar Hill, Texas), PG Alecia Sutton (St. Louis, Mo.) and G/F Jada Underwood (Mesquite, Texas). The Longhorns also have added junior college transfer Audrey-Ann Caron-Goudreau (Gatineau, Quebec), the nation's No. 1 junior college power forward prospect and the twin sister of current Texas player Khaléann Caron-Goudreau.
In addition to being one of the top-two recruiting classes in the country, it also goes down as the most versatile, as both Holmes and Underwood are capable of excelling at any position on the floor, while Sutton and Caron-Goudreau are standouts at their respective positions.
"What a great day it is for Texas Basketball," Aston said. "I am ecstatic for the program and the fans that we are able to bring four quality young women to Texas. They have a unique set of skills but also are really great people. Our fans will love their style of play and will love the personalities. Each one brings something different to the table and, when you look at our team and the last few classes, what stands out is that we are now fitting together pieces of a puzzle that will create success for Texas.
"All of these young ladies are great student-athletes who will represent Texas to the best of their abilities," Aston continued. "I am incredibly proud of my staff in the recruitment of this group. They worked tirelessly to build the kind of relationships that were necessary to sign a class of this magnitude."
NAME | POS | HT | HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL | ESPN.com RANK (Overall/Position) |
Joyner Holmes | G/F | 6-3 | Cedar Hill, Texas / Cedar Hill | 2/2 |
Alecia Sutton | PG | 5-8 | St. Louis, Mo. / Parkway North | 6/2 |
Jada Underwood | G/F | 6-0 | Mesquite, Texas / Horn | --/18 |
Audrey-Ann Caron-Goudreau | F | 6-3 | Gatineau, Quebec/IMG Academy/Vanderbilt/Gulf Coast State College | 6/1 (JUCO) |
Joyner Holmes (6-3, G/F, Cedar Hill, Texas / Cedar Hill HS)
The nation's No. 1 recruit according to the Blue Star Report and the No. 2 prospect in the espnW Hoop Gurlz Top 100, Holmes is a versatile wing player who averaged 15.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 3.0 apg as a junior at Cedar Hill High School. She earned first-team all-district accolades, and was named to the all-region and all-state first teams. Holmes was a MaxPreps third-team All-American her junior year. She was a member of Team USA's U17 gold-medal winning U17 world championship team, averaging 10.6 ppg and 5.7 rpg and earning all-tournament accolades. Holmes' athleticism is matched only by her versatility, evidenced by her skill both as a ball-handler and in the post. In addition to her basketball prowess, Holmes also was a standout for her high school track and field team, running the 100-meter dash and participating in both the long and triple jumps.
Coach Aston says …
"'Wow' is the first word that comes out of most people's mouths when they watch Joyner Holmes. She has the potential to change the game for Texas and make her mark on our program. She is one of the most versatile players I have ever seen in all my years of recruiting. What is so fascinating to watch is her ability to affect a game in so many ways. This summer, she was able to show that she had increased her range, and was able to handle the ball like a point-forward. Joyner is the kind of player that not only impacts our team immediately but also our recruiting, because other great players want to play with her. It has been fun to watch Joyner grow as a person and player over the years. I believe her presence will be felt immediately and she will have a very special career on the Forty Acres."
Cedar Hill High School head coach Nicole Collins says …
"I'm extremely proud and excited for Joyner in her decision to play at the University of Texas. She is an amazing young lady and a phenomenal athlete – the best I have ever coached – and I believe she will be an incredible asset to the Longhorn family. I really look forward to watching her on the next level and seeing her continue to develop her game."
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Alecia "Sug" Sutton (5-8, PG, St. Louis, Mo. / Parkway North)
The nation's No. 6 prospect according to the espnW Hoop Gurlz Top 100, Sutton is a true point guard, who is ranked second nationally at her position. She averaged 16.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.0 apg and 2.3 spg as a junior at Parkway North, leading her team to a 25-6 overall record. Her team finished third in the program's first-ever Class 5 state tournament appearance. As a sophomore, she averaged 18.3 ppg and 4.81 apg. Sutton has helped her high school squad to a 71-15 (.826) record in her three seasons. She is a two-time Suburban South Conference Player of the Year and twice has been named first-team all-state. Sutton is known for her skills as a floor-leader in an up-tempo offense. In the summer of 2014, while playing for the Missouri Phenom, she was named the Most Valuable Player of the Super 64 Tournament in Frisco, Texas, and the adidas Nationals in Atlanta, after leading her team to championships in both tournaments.
Coach Aston says …
"Sug Sutton will be a fan favorite as soon as she steps foot on campus. Her ability to distribute the basketball is second to none, and I truly believe she is the best true point guard in this class. We were so fortunate that Sug came to campus two years ago to our camp, and our players and staff just fell in love with her. She has an infectious personality that makes people want to play with her. The fans will love watching her manage games and her ability to decide what is the right play for our team. Not only can she pick defenses apart but she also can hit the open shot, which will make her a difficult matchup. The most exciting thing about Sug is that she is a winner on and off the court."
Parkway North High School head coach Brett Katz says …
"We are so proud and excited for Alecia (Sug) as she takes her talents to the University of Texas. Sug fits the mold of what everyone would want in a student-athlete. She is talented, humble, hard-working, and just loves to compete and play the game. In addition to getting an outstanding basketball player, Texas is getting a terrific person that will represent its program in a positive way."
Missouri Phenom Club Director Reggie Middlebrook says …
"This is a very special day for Alecia Sutton and everyone here in Missouri who has followed her over the years. I am confident Alecia will bring with her to the University of Texas the same passion to compete to be the best, while still supporting others as she did during her time with the Missouri Phenom. Texas is a special place and we are looking forward to watching her in the next four years and beyond."
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Jada Underwood (6-0, G/F, Mesquite, Texas / Horn)
The 18th-ranked wing player in the nation according to ESPN.com, Underwood averaged 24.3 ppg and 13.2 rpg through 11 games in her junior season before suffering a season-ending ACL injury. She led all players in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area in points per game and rebounds per game, despite playing in only 11 games. As a sophomore, she was named the 12-5A co-most valuable player and the district's most valuable player after averaging 17.0 ppg, 11.7 rpg and 5.1 apg in 2013-14. That year, Underwood also was a TABC All-Region selection. She was the District Newcomer of the Year as a rookie at Horn, averaging 9.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.0 apg and 2.7 spg. Underwood's versatility is constantly on display, as she is as comfortable playing on the wing as she is in the post. She has helped her team to a 67-27 (.713) record over the course of her prep career, which included back-to-back district championships in her freshman and sophomore years.
Coach Aston says …
"Jada Underwood will be the player that is probably the least talked about, but could make as big of an impact on our program as anyone. I love the way that Jada plays the game. She has a passion for it and plays with purpose. Our staff saw her at a very young age and has watched her grow and mature but, most of all, fight adversity with the injury and come back looking better. She loves the gym and loves working on her craft. Jada also is extremely versatile and can realistically play three-to-four positions due to her size and strength. I am so excited to watch her game and career take off here at Texas."
Mesquite Horn High School head coach Darrin Samuels says …
"Jada Underwood is the best girls basketball player in Mesquite ISD history. Jada is the ideal leader on the court, off the court and in the community. Jada's versatility makes her the player everyone wants on their team."
Dallas Heroes Elite head coach Marquis Alexander says …
"Jada is the definition of a true competitor. She has worked extremely hard and accepts a challenge in a way that is rare in today's society. She has that old-school work-horse mentality that will serve her well at the next level. She is going to find a way to be successful and force people to take notice that she is one of the best."
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Audrey-Ann Caron-Goudreau (6-3, F, Gatineau, Quebec / IMG Academy / Vanderbilt / Gulf Coast State College)
Currently a sophomore at Gulf Coast Community College, Caron-Goudreau is the nation's No. 6 overall junior college prospect according to Dan Olson's Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. She played in 27 games with 16 starts for Vanderbilt last season, averaging 19.5 minutes per game. She recorded averages of 4.6 ppg and 4.1 rpg for the Commodores as a freshman. Caron-Goudreau earned a roster spot on Canada's Senior B Women's National Team and participated in a tournament in Taiwan. She was selected to the inaugural SchollyMe All-World Game in Irvine, Calif., and was a McDonald's All-American nominee. Caron-Goudreau averaged 7.0 ppg and 6.5 rpg as a senior at IMG Academy, shooting 48 percent from the floor. She was a Team Canada Junior Women's National Team invitee, getting named to the Team Canada Cadette Women National Team in 2012. She was the RSEQ MVP in 2011 and was named to the RSEQ All-Star Team in 2010 and 2012, helping to lead her team to the 2012 RSEQ Provincial Championship. Caron-Goudreau was a member of Team Quebec's U17 Provincial Team in 2011 and Team Quebec's U15 Provincial Team in 2010. Coming out of high school, she was rated No. 52 overall and No. 13 at her position by Prospects Nation.
Coach Aston says …
"I am so excited to finally be able to say that Audrey will be a Longhorn. We have had a long wait on this one and are so thrilled that she decided to come to Texas. It has been a unique journey for her, but I do believe it has made her an even better player and more mature person. Audrey, just like her sister Khalé, will bring an enormous competitive spirit to Texas. I can't say enough about how hard she competes and how serious she is about winning. Audrey also adds another versatile player for us in the post and complements the players we have on our team now and this class. Not only is she a competitor on the court, but a tremendous student. I am counting down the days until she gets here, but also excited to see what she does with Coach [Roonie] Scovel at Gulf Coast State College. It is a unique opportunity for her to add something to her toolbox and I am sure she will take advantage of it."
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Recruiting Class Rankings At Texas Under Karen Aston (per espnW/ESPN.com)
2016 – No. 3 (Holmes, Sutton, Underwood)
2015 – No. 6 (Aborowa, Higgs, Hosey)
2014 – No. 11 (Akigbogun, Atkins, McCarty)
2013 – NR (Henderson, Jones, Lang, Taylor, Vander Zee)
Recruiting Class Rankings By Player (2015-16)
Joyner Holmes
ESPN Ranking: No. 2 Overall; No. 1 Forward
Blue Star Report Ranking: No. 1 Overall
Prospects Nation Ranking: No. 1 Overall; No. 1 Forward
Alecia Sutton
ESPN Ranking: No. 6 Overall; No. 2 Point Guard
Blue Star Report Ranking: No. 22 Overall
Prospects Nation Ranking: No. 10 Overall; No. 3 Point Guard
Jada Underwood
ESPN Ranking: NR Overall; No. 18 Wing
Blue Star Report Ranking: No. 28 Overall
Prospects Nation Ranking: No. 50 Overall; No. 10 Wing
Audrey-Ann Caron-Goudreau
Collegiate Girls Basketball Report (JUCO Players): No. 6 Overall; No. 1 Power Forward
USA Basketball Experience By Player
Joyner Holmes: 2013 USA Basketball U16 Team Trials Invitee; 2014 FIBA U17
World Championship (Gold Medal; All-Tournament); 2015 USA Basketball U19 Team Trials
Invitee.
Alecia Sutton: 2014 USA Basketball U17 Team Trials Invitee
Jada Underwood: 2014 USA Basketball U17 Team Trials Invitee.
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What They Are Saying About Texas' Recruiting Class …
Kevin Lynch, National Evaluator, Blue Star Report
"Texas and head coach Karen Aston have come through with another top-notch recruiting class, rated as the No. 3 class in the country by the Blue Star Report. It is led by the No. 1-rated player, the versatile and dominant 6-foot-3 Joyner Holmes from Cedar Hill High School, No. 18 Alecia Sutton, a 5-foot-8 guard from Parkway North High School, No. 35 Jada Underwood, a 5-foot-11 wing from John Horn High School, along with 6-foot-3 junior college transfer Audrey-Ann Caron-Goudreau. This marks the third straight year of outstanding classes for Coach Aston, as Texas has put itself in contention to compete for Final Fours for years to come."
Dan Olson, Owner and Director, of Collegiate Girls Basketball Report; Director, espnW Hoop Gurlz
"It's a banner class for Texas, one which solidifies them among the national elite. Texas has the third-ranked class in the country, but arguably this is a very even class at the top of the field. Alecia Sutton is as good of a point guard as anyone in the United States. She is ranked No. 6 in the ESPN rankings and is as smooth of a lead guard as there is in the country that can dribble-drive and finish to the rim. This kid can have a very special impact on the collegiate scene. She is as good as any of those players above her in the rankings. Joyner Holmes is the most versatile, athletic prospect in this entire class. She can play virtually any position on the floor, handles the ball up the floor, shoots the three and is great on the glass. Joyner Holmes will be a nightmare to defend against anybody. She's got the physical attributes, the explosiveness and the versatility element. Jada Underwood is a solid small forward that can also play inside. Audrey-Ann Caron-Goudreau is the No. 1 power forward in junior college. She has gotten increased physical strength, can drop down the jump shot at 15 feet, but also finish inside, as well. She is very skilled, very fundamental, and Audrey-Ann will be a solid contributor for Texas, as well as one of the elite JUCO prospects in the country in 2016."
Bret McCormick, All-Star Girls Report
"Karen Aston has been getting great players all along during her four years at Texas. Joyner Holmes is off the charts, there's no doubt about it. Hands down, she is probably better than almost every other player. Once she figures out the college game, she can be a triple-double player every night if she chooses to be. I truly expect her to be an impact player next year. She can be a 3-4-5 player and is really a versatile performer. She'll be a match-up nightmare for other teams. Alecia Sutton has always showed steady improvement every year and she is a great athlete. She has really polished her game. She has the ability to affect the game whether it is scoring or running the offense. Jada Underwood is athletic, she's a slasher and I think she'll be a good player. Audrey-Ann Caron-Goudreau has good size, is a versatile performer and a great skill set. She's athletic, but is a good 'glue' player who can make others better. She can be an inside-outside player and is a good add to the mix."
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No. 12/11 Texas opens its 2015-16 season on Saturday when it plays host to UT-San Antonio. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be televised nationally by Longhorn Network. For ticket information, please call (512) 471-3333.
