MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant knows there will be big shoes to fill when the seniors on the No. 25 MSU women’s basketball team graduate at the end of the year.
The coach took a step forward filling the holes when she announced three players — Jasmine Hines, Becca Mills and Akyah Taylor — signed National Letters of Intent to play for MSU, beginning in fall 2011.
Hines, a 6-foot-3 center from Central Lake, Mich., set Michigan high school single-season records in points and rebounds as a junior and was named the Associated Press Class D Player of the Year.
“(Hines) has the physical strength and skill set to come in as a freshman and make an immediate impact in the Big Ten at the post position,” Merchant said in a statement. “She has tremendous hands and is a superior athlete for her size.”
Mills is a 6-foot-4 forward from Midland, Mich., and is ranked by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report as the No. 8 forward prospect in the country.
“(Mills) is a true 4-man that has the versatility that we look for in our system,” Merchant said. “She can hit the outside shot, score with her back to the basket and is a very good passer.
Taylor is 5-foot-11 but she has led her high school basketball team in scoring in each of her three seasons. The forward resides in Elkhart, Ind.
“(Taylor) is a strong 3-man that has the size and skill set that we look for in our guard play,” Merchant said. “We look forward to using her ability to score on the block as well as face up on the perimeter.
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