Duke women's basketball picked up a big verbal commitment Sunday when Sierra Calhoun informed the Blue Devil coaching staff she would be coming to Durham in 2014. Calhoun, a 6-foot wing from Brooklyn, N.Y., is ranked the No. 10 player in the Class of 2014 by ESPNW and is tabbed as the top wing player in her class.
Calhoun averaged 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game during her junior season at Christ the King Regional High School.
She was also considering the defending national champion, Connecticut, as well as Tennessee and Notre Dame—all top-tier programs in women's college basketball. Calhoun's commitment should be viewed as a significant recruiting grab for Duke considering her family ties to the Huskies. Calhoun's older brother, Omar, plays for the Connecticut men's basketball team and head coach Kevin Ollie. Omar Calhoun averaged 11.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game during his freshman season.
Duke is no stranger to this type of challenge in recruiting battles. Redshirt sophomore Amber Henson chose the Blue Devils instead of archrival North Carolina even though her older brother, John, starred for the Tar Heels before heading to the NBA.
Calhoun spoke to CNG's Joseph Staszewski yesterday, sounding off on her commitment to Duke.
Sierra Calhoun on Duke: "[Coach McCallie's] vision for me is being an impact freshman as soon as I step on campus at Duke." #girlshoops— Joseph Staszewski (@CNG_Staszewski) August 5, 2013
Calhoun: "I feel like what Coach P. and what that coaching staff is putting together is knocking on the door step of greatness... #duke— Joseph Staszewski (@CNG_Staszewski) August 5, 2013
...I feel like it is only a matter of time before we win a national championship." #duke— Joseph Staszewski (@CNG_Staszewski) August 5, 2013
The Blue Devils now have three commitments for the Class of 2014. Calhoun will be joined by Pittsburgh native Erin Mathias, a 6-foot-3 forward, and Cary, N.C. post player Azura Stevens, who is ranked No. 28 in her recruiting class.
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