Mykia Jones (15) brings the ball up court. Milbrook wins with a score of 53 to 29.
Nov 14, 2012
Wake Forest head coach Jen Hoover has announced the signing of five players to a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday.
Guards Mykia Jones and Ataijah Taylor along with forwards Keri Fulp and Milan Quinn and wing Jill Brunori have all signed letters of intent to attend Wake Forest in the fall of 2013.
“Our staff is thrilled to welcome five great players into our Wake Forest family,” said Hoover. “Our priorities for this first class were to find players with tireless work ethics, a blue-collar mentality, and passion for not only basketball but also for this truly extraordinary University. My staff did a tremendous job of identifying young ladies that will impact our program both on the court and off as each of these young ladies will be great additions to our Wake Forest community.”
Jones is a 5-8 guard from Raleigh, N.C. She played two seasons at William G. Enloe High School and last year at Millbrook High School for Chris East. Jones helped Millbrook to the 2012 NCHSAA 4-A State Championship in her first season. Wake Forest was Jones’ top choice and Hoover is excited to add her to the squad.
“Mykia is a fierce competitor that has a great feel for the game and will provide an immediate scoring threat as a combo guard,” Hoover said. “She is a savvy guard that has unlimited range and can score in a variety of ways. Mykia is a basketball junkie that is constantly working to improve her game and she will do whatever it takes for the team to succeed. Her passion and desire to be the best will be imperative to our future success. ”
Taylor comes from an athletic family as her father Shannon Taylor is a former football standout at Virginia and then went on to play linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. Taylor is a 5-9 guard from Salem High School in Roanoke, Va. She is a strong guard that has the ability to contribute right away.
“Ataijah is a tough, physical combo guard that does a little bit of everything,” said Hoover. “She played for Boo Williams’ AAU team which is one of the top teams on the summer circuit, and has competed and succeeded against some of the top talent in the class. She has the ability to defend, create for herself and others or knock down the open 3. Her versatility and determination on the perimeter will be instrumental to our success in the future.”
Hoover and her staff did not have to travel far to find her front court of the future. Fulp is a 6-3 forward from nearby East Surry High School in Pinnacle, N.C. Fulp earned All-Northwest Conference honors each of the last three seasons on the basketball court and was named the 2012 Northwest Conference Volleyball Player of the Year. She is also a tremendous in the classroom as she carries a 4.83 GPA.
“Keri is a very skilled post player that can score with either hand and is an aggressive rebounder,” Hoover said. “She has good size, is a relentless worker and has great basketball knowledge. She’s also an exceptional student that will thrive academically at Wake Forest. She has grown up with black and gold in her blood and exemplifies what a Demon Deacon student-athlete should be.”
Quinn is also an outstanding two-sport athlete at Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology. The 6-1 forward is a two-time All-Conference honoree who averaged over 11 points per game last season. Like Fulp, Quinn was a standout on the volleyball court as she was named the 2012 Mega-7 Conference Co-Player of the Year.
“Milan was one of the best rebounders we saw all summer,” Hoover said. “She is a tough, aggressive player with a tireless work-ethic that can play in the post or on the perimeter. She will bring an aggressive mentality to our interior game with her ability to slash and rebound the basketball. She is an explosive athlete with the capability to block a shot on one end and get a lay-up on the other. Milan has a high basketball IQ and her versatility on the floor will enable her to make an impact in our future success.”
Brunori is an all-around good athlete that can play both inside and outside. She is a 6-1 wing player from Hilton Head Prep. Brunori was the SCISA Rookie of the Year in 2010 and is a two-time All Country first team honoree. Hoover is looking forward to adding Brunori to the mix next fall.
“Jill is a work horse on the court that will do whatever it takes to succeed,” said Hoover. “Her athleticism and size allow her to play multiple positions with the versatility to score inside and out. She has an incredible work ethic, but her toughness and competitive spirit are truly what will make her a fan favorite in the future.”
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