Kennedale point guard chooses LSU

Next season, Destini Hughes will suit for Van Chancellor's Lady Tigers.

Head coach Van Chancellor has signed eight players to national letters of intent to play for the LSU women’s basketball program; it was announced on Wednesday, the first day of early signing period.

The class, one of the top three in the country according to many recruiting publications, is made up of seven high school players and one junior college player.

LaSondra Barrett, a 6-2 forward from Murrah High School in Jackson, Miss.; Ayana Dunning, a 6-3 post from Eastmoor High School in Columbus, Ohio; Destini Hughes, a 5-10 guard from Kennedale High School in Ft. worth, Texas; Taylor Turnbow, a 6-2 forward from Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Ga.; Crystal Riley, a 5-5 guard from Hillcrest High School in Memphis, Tenn.; Courtney Jones, a 6-2 forward from Midfield High School in Midfield, Ala.; Swayze Black, a 6-3 forward/center from Brookhaven High School in Brookhaven, Miss., and Erica Brown, a 5-10 guard from Tallahassee Community College and Dillard High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., complete the LSU signing class.

“It is unbelievable the job that our assistant coaches have done with recruiting this fall,” Chancellor said. “It was a great job done by Travis Mays, Yolanda Wells-Broughton and Bob Starkey. This class lets us continue the tradition of LSU women’s basketball. We are so excited about who we have signed.”

Hughes is another five-star player ranked No. 17 overall in the nation by Hoopsgurlz.com and is the No. 2 point guard in the country. Hughes will be at Kenndale High School to play for her father Vance Hughes this year after transferring from Waxahachie High School where she helped guide her team to a 5A Texas State title as a sophomore. She averaged 20.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 4.7 steals last season as a junior to earn district MVP and first-team all-state. Hughes also earned third-team Sporting News All-American and was invited to the 2007 Nike Skills Academy.

“Hughes is a great combo guard,” Chancellor said. “She can play the point and play the two guard. Her dad is a coach so she has a great understanding and awareness of the game.”

Source: LSU