Every once in a while, a totally unexpected opportunity comes along with a reward so great, it simply cannot be ignored. Such an opportunity may currently be knocking on UCLA women’s basketball coach Kathy Olivier’s door.
Jacki Gemelos, who verbally committed to women’s basketball powerhouse University of Connecticut at just 15 years old, recently backed out of her commitment. The recent graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Stockton wants to be closer to home and has narrowed down her list to three schools: USC, California and UCLA.
“My goals and dreams haven’t changed,” Gemelos told the All Star Girls Report. “I still want to win a national championship. I just want to do it at a school that is closer to home.”
Gemelos, who was touted by many as the next Diana Taurasi after she committed to UConn, was a recipient of various All-America honors in high school and was recently named to the Scout.com/Full Court Press “Super Six” as one of the top six prospects in the nation. The 5-foot-11-inch guard is known for her toughness, quickness and uncanny ability to put the ball in the basket.
“My phone’s been ringing off the hook from different schools,” Gemelos’ high school coach Tom Gonsalves told the Tracy Press. “I think she’s going take her time on this and make sure she makes the right decision this time.”
For UCLA’s Olivier, the addition of Gemelos could prove invaluable. With the “triple threat” of Lisa Willis, Noelle Quinn and Nikki Blue already in place along with rising star Lindsey Pluimer and freshman Ashlee Trebilcock, Gemelos could be a player to elevate the program to heights it hasn’t reached in a long time.
While Olivier cannot comment on the recruitment of Gemelos because of NCAA policy, she admitted that the complexion of a program can easily change with one or two additions.
“There are some players who will take your program to the next level, and that is really what separates our recruiting in some years,” Olivier said. “We’re always looking to add that championship caliber player, no matter how she fits into the system.”
Recruiting has been a see-saw battle for Olivier the last couple of years. While UCLA has landed top recruits (Pluimer, Trebilcock) who have the program in position to make a run to the postseason this year, there have been a number of in-state recruits who have passed over UCLA as well. Ashley and Courtney Paris, Charde Houston, Candice Wiggins, Jessika Bradley and Monique Alexander were all top prospects from California in the last couple of years rumored to be seriously considering coming to UCLA, but for one reason or the other, decided to go to other schools.
“Every year we go after the best recruits in the country, and some class you get two or three of the best and others classes you’ll get none of the best,” Olivier said. “I don’t look at it like our recruiting has gotten better or worse over the last few years, because we bring in All-Americans. Some years will inevitably be better than others.”
The sense of urgency for Olivier could come from the fact that there is a rarely a year in which so many top recruits in the nation are from California. Along with Gemelos are Abi Olajuwon, Morghan Medlock and UCLA point guard Blue’s highly touted cousin, Latara Darrett. All are top national recruits and list UCLA as one of their final favorites.
This current situation, along with Gemelos’ de-commitment from Connecticut, has presented Olivier with a new opportunity to land what unquestionably is a top recruiting class. With the Nov. 15 signing date approaching fast, it won’t be long before Gemelos and the other recruits make their final decisions.
With reports by Adam de Jong, Bruin Sport senior staff.