He won't admit it, but Ohio State women's basketball head Kevin McGuff may be the best recruiter in Columbus.
Urban Meyer pulls in top recruiting classes year after year, but he doesn't convince too many stud players to leave their blue-blood program to sit out a year and then play for him instead; McGuff does.
This season, McGuff bolstered his already-loaded arsenal with six more weapons: transfers Stephanie Mavunga (North Carolina), Sierra Calhoun (Duke) and Linnae Harper (Kentucky) as well as freshmen Tori McCoy, Jensen Caretti and Kiara Lewis. All are either former McDonald's All-Americans or five-star recruits.
They'll all make an impact for the Buckeyes this season, so we take a look at each one.
Transfers
Stephanie Mavunga – Forward (North Carolina)
Mavunga transferred to Ohio State the summer after her North Carolina Tar Heels eliminated the Buckeyes from the NCAA Tournament. In that game, she dominated the Buckeyes in the post, scoring 27 points, pulling down 14 rebounds and blocking five shots. Ohio State lacked anybody to defend her down low, but now they have her.
Coming out of high school, Mavunga was a four-star recruit and a 2013 McDonald's All-American. During her first two years at North Carolina, she set freshman school records in double-digit scoring games as well as double-digit rebounding games and was named to the ACC All-Freshman team in 2013-14 and the All-ACC team in 2014-15.
Quite simply, Mavunga is the perfect fit for the Buckeyes' scheme. McGuff didn't just need size; he needed size that can play uptempo on offense and defense and be effective immediately. Mavunga gives him that.
“The good thing coming from North Carolina, our mantra was 'Heel Fast,' and that’s how we played," Mavunga said. "Coach McGuff also plays fast, so to be able to play in an uptempo program where you get up and down the floor is really fun. There’s not too much of a difference."
Mavunga will likely be the Buckeyes top option at forward on day one and throughout the season.
Sierra Calhoun – Guard (Duke)
Calhoun transferred to Ohio State the summer before last season and will be eligible to play for the Buckeyes on opening day after sitting out the entire 2014-15 season in accordance to NCAA transfer guidelines.
Coming out of high school, Calhoun was a five-star recruit and a McDonald's All-American. At Duke, she played substantial minutes, starting all 13 non-conference games. On the season, she averaged over 10 points a game.
Calhoun will be tasked with replacing graduate Ameryst Alston, the team's second leading scorer last season and will likely be a starter on opening day.
Linnae Harper – Guard (Kentucky)
Unlike Mavunga and Calhoun, Harper will not be eligible to play for the Buckeyes on opening day. She transferred to Ohio State after second semester and thus won't be eligible until second semester ends in December, allowing her to return to the team just in time to face four-time defending NCAA Champion UConn.
Harper was a five-star prospect and a McDonald's All-American coming out of high school. She played two seasons at Kentucky during which she was named to the SEC All-Freshman team as well as the SEC All-Defensive team.
When she's eligible, Harper will bring much-needed help to Ohio State's perimeter defense.
Freshmen
Tori McCoy – Five-Star Forward
McCoy is a five-star, McDonald's All-American forward from Champaign, Illinois. She is the No. 10 recruit in the 2016 class and the No. 4 forward.
"Tori McCoy is long and athletic," McGuff said. "She's going to bring a great presence around the basket."
McCoy, like Mavunga, is fantastic in uptempo and is a great fit for McGuff's system.
Jensen Caretti – Five-Star Guard
Caretti is a five-star guard from Hannibal, Ohio. She is the No. 31 player in the 2016 class and the No. 6 guard. She is by far the most athletic player in the class. The 6-1 guard would block shots and pin them against a backboard and can tip-dunk on a 10-foot rim.
"Jesen Caretti is an extremely athletic wing player with a lot of talent," McGuff said.
McGuff mentioned Caretti didn't quite see the same level of competition as most of the players that come to Ohio State and that Big Ten basketball will be a new environment for her, but that won't keep her off the court.
Kiara Lewis – Five-Star Guard
Lewis is a five-star guard from Chicago. She is the No. 24 player in the 2016 class and the No. 7 guard.
"Kiara Lewis is a tough competitor – fast, quick," McGuff said. "She really came from a great high school program and she's ready to go on day one because of her experience before she got here."
Lewis will give much needed depth to a Buckeye lineup that suffered greatly when Ameryst Alston and Cait Craft were hampered with injuries late in the season. Ultimately, Lewis will be Kelsey Mitchell's replacement when she graduates.
