Top 100 women’s basketball recruit picks FGCU over Duke

Myrlande “M.C” Charelus

mcharel@eagle.fgcu.edu

Florida Gulf Coast University’s Country club atmosphere swayed Forward Whitney Knight from attending the 10^th ranked basketball school in the nation, Duke University.

Coming from an athletic family, the 6’2’’ Whitney Knight, basketball comes natural for Knight. She started playing basketball when she was seven years old.  The YMCA is where the magic started. She fell in love with it and she hasn’t stop playing since then. Knight is a freshman at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is majoring in Bioengineering. She originated from Winston-Salem, N.C.,and ranks as 73 on overall best high school player in the U.S.

Ranking among the top 100 in the nation has been an honor for Knight. She has opportunity to meet with many mentors; especially people who want to help her become a better player. This has proved to be a big benefit for Knight.

How did FGCU end up with one of the best players in the country? All she needed was a visit to FGCU and there, she made up her decision.

“I made a visit, here at FGCU and I really liked it a lot,” Said Knight.  I like the campus, the coaches, the area and the basketball team; I thought I would like it a lot, basically.”

Knight also says she was committed to attending Duke, but then she backed out of her decision because she didn’t think it was a right fit for her.

Nicoya Jackson, a senior, who also plays basketball for the Eagles said, “I was surprise when I heard the news, but I mean– it’s her decision and… as a freshman, it’s a great decision to make. She is looking for playing time.”

Knight said being at FGCU she thinks the coaches will help her become a better player. As of right now that’s her biggest goal is to become better.

Her teammate, Jackson, also said, “As a freshman, she is a competitive player. After she learns everything, she’ll be fine…”

Basketball is not the onlysport Knight plays, she also played volleyball while she was in middle and high school but she didn’t like it as much as she liked basketball.

When asked Knight about her expectation of FGCU, she said she didn’t have any expectation but she also couldn’tthink of a reason for not liking FGCU, she is satisfied with everything so far. Her main focus right now is to play for the WNBA, some day.

As for FGCU, it is going well for Knight and the team is having its first scrimmage next week. Let’s hope that Knight does a great job.