They’ve come one after the other, from Washington area basketball courts to college stardom, and onto the NBA: Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Roy Hibbert, Michael Beasley, Ty Lawson and Sam Young.
It should be no surprise that the women’s game is flourishing, too. Hot on the heels of Kara Lawson, Monique Currie and Marissa Coleman, are these current stars:
Monica Wright, G, Virginia, Sr. » The Forest Park High standout, who won two Virginia state titles, is a national player of the year candidate with the 23rd-ranked Cavaliers. She leads the ACC in steals (3.6 per game) and is second in scoring (20.5 points per game), ninth in rebounding (7.4 per game) and 11th in assists (3.7 per game).
Jasmine Thomas, G, Duke, Jr. » Oakton’s own recorded just the third triple double in Duke history (11 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists) vs. Marquette in November, scored a career-high 29 points against No. 3 Ohio State earlier this month and had a career-high eight steals Monday at Maine.
Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, G, North Carolina, Fr. » The T.C. Williams product was a starter on day one (12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals, 2 assists vs. College of Charleston). Despite some inconsistency, she’s fourth on the seventh-ranked Tar Heels in scoring (9.1 ppg) and third in rebounding (6.5 per game).
Doreena Campbell, G, UCLA, Jr. » One of the Bruins’ steadiest contributors, Campbell has started 70 of 72 games since making the cross-country move from Edison in Alexandria. She’s currently averaging 8.5 points and 3.6 assists after leading UCLA with 12.9 points per game last year to earn second team All-Pac 10 honors.
