University Southern California Trojans
Women of Troy Ink Four Standouts For 2016
November 11, 2015 | Women's Basketball
The USC women's basketball program will grow four players stronger with the signing of a solid set of new Women of Troy set to come to campus in 2016. With today's national letters of intent signed and delivered, USC head coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke and her coaching staff are proud to announce the addition of Valerie Higgins, Asiah Jones, Minyon Moore and Ja'Tavia Tapley to the USC program next season. In all, the stellar new class weighs in at No. 7 in the nation according to Blue Star and No. 10 according to espnW HoopGurlz.
"We identified three things as our top priorities as we built the USC class of 2016: Talent, high motors and passion to play," Cooper-Dyke said of her staff's achieved goals with this incoming class, which brings in talent from Florida, South Carolina and Northern and Southern California.
"Each of our four signees are exceptional basketball players who will immediately impact and add to the talent level of our team. Each of our four newest Women of Troy bring 100% to the court, every play, every single day. They excel at, and enjoy playing fast. They are huge energy-givers and their effort level stands out.
"Finally, I make no secret that I LOVE women's basketball. It has impacted every facet of my life," Cooper-Dyke added. "Val, Minyon, Asiah, and Ja'Tavia LOVE to play basketball. They play with heart and passion, winning matters, and people love to play with them. "Please join our staff and team in welcoming our four newest Trojans, and their families and coaches, to the University of Southern California. Fight On!"
Valerie Higgins | 6-0 | Guard
Hometown: Granada Hills, Calif.
High School / Coach: Chaminade College Prep HS / Kelly DiMuro
Club Team / Coach: Cal Stars / Kelly Sopak
Academic Interest: Psychology or Journalism
Parents: Keith and Sherry Higgins
A 6-0 guard, Valerie Higgins is a Southern California product who has a laundry list of accolades from her prep career at Chaminade College Prep and with the Nike Cal Stars club team. Named to the All-CIF First Team, she also has been named SoCal Player of the Year and was ranked as an ESPN Top-10 Wing. She's put up big numbers, too, averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals per game. A two-time Nike EYBL National Champion, Higgins also helped lead her Chaminade Prep squad to a 27-4 record while grabbing two wins over top-ranked Mater Dei last season.
"The best way to describe Val is by asking, 'What do you need?' Because whatever you need, Val will do, and then some," Cooper-Dyke said of Higgins. "The ultimate 'glue player,' Val's skill set, coupled with her unselfish team-first attitude make her an immediate impact person for the Women of Troy. Physically, Val is a scorer, passer, defender, rebounder, and she uses her great length to her advantage at every turn. Highly skilled, Val will play combo guard for the Trojans."
Asiah Jones | 6-3 | Forward
Hometown: Piedmont, S.C.
High School / Coach: Woodmont HS (S.C.) / Melissa Lewis
Club Team / Coach: South Carolina 76ers / Roger Wiley
Academic Interest: Athletic Medicine
Mother: Shumika Jones
A 6-3 forward, South Carolina product Asiah Jones is coming off a junior season at Woodmont High in which she averaged 19 points and 9 rebounds per game. She also has notched a career-high nine blocks in a single game, a testament to her size and skill that makes her a powerful addition to the Trojan gameplan.
"Length! The first thing that stands out when you watch Asiah play is her incredible wingspan and the ferocity with which she tracks the basketball," Cooper-Dyke said of Jones. "An exceptional shot blocker, Asiah also is a rim-runner who can create matchup problems with her ability to sprint the floor. She has excellent hops, finishes in traffic, and will be a welcome addition and complement to our front line."
Minyon Moore | 5-8 | Guard
Hometown: Rodeo, Calif.
High School / Coach: Salesian HS / Steve Pezzola
Club Team / Coach: Cal Stars / Kelly Sopak
Academic Interest: Communication
Mother: Cenne Carroll-Moore
Father: Errol Moore
A Northern California product, 5-8 guard Minyon Moore comes to Troy from Salesian High in the Bay Area. A proven producer, Moore averaged 14 points, 7 assists, 5 steals and 5 rebounds per game and helped lead Salesian to the North Coast Section Division IV Championship.
"Speed! Minyon is a fireball, a confident catalyst for a running, pressing team," Cooper-Dyke said of Moore. "She is an instant tempo-changer and plays with a relentless energy that you just can't teach. Like a true point guard, she always thinks of her teammates first. A capable scorer in her own right, we felt Minyon had a fantastic summer and has a huge upside! Her commitment to defense is a separator; Minyon is a ball hawk and sets the tone for her team with her toughness and explosiveness."
Ja'Tavia Tapley | 6-3 | Forward
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
High School / Coach: University Christian HS / Keith Stroud
Club Team / Coach: Essence / Kim Davis-Powell
Academic Interest: Undecided
Mother: Sylvia Johnson
A 6-3 forward, Ja'Tavia Tapley joins the Trojan Family from Florida. The out-of-state import will be at home among the well-traveled Women of Troy, who will have nine different states and overseas nations represented when Tapley joins the crew along with fellow signee and South Carolina product Jones. Tapley ranks as the No. 39 overall prospect in the nation and stands as the No. 6 small forward in the land. An All-State First Team selection in 2015, Tapley is sure to bring a powerful presence to USC next season.
"Explosive, skilled and versatile, Ja'Tavia's upside is off the charts," Cooper-Dyke said of Tapley. "She can break you down off the dribble, yet her quick elevation to her jumper is silky smooth. 'Tay' has exceptional length and lateral quickness, and her skill set will transition well to the small forward in college. She pounds the glass, alters shots, and will be a matchup nightmare."
