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University of Massachusets Athletics
Women’s Basketball Signs Five To Early NLIs
November 13, 2017 | Women's Basketball
Minutewomen ink highly-touted class spanning four states
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts women's basketball and head coach Tory Verdi welcomed five new members to the program on Monday, as Alexa Kellner (Stamford, Connecticut), Madison Lowery (Virginia Beach, Virginia), Asia McCoy (Lawrenceville, Georgia), Jessica Nelson (Buford, Georgia) and Destiny Philoxy (Queens, New York) signed their respective National Letters of Intent.
Regarded as one of the highest-caliber classes in program history, the group was ranked No. 57 nationally by Blue Star Basketball as well as No. 62 in the country by PASS.
"Overall, I'm very excited to announce these additions to our program," Verdi said. "I know that this class will help catapult this program to where we want to go. My expectation is to win Atlantic 10 Championships and I feel that our program is moving in that direction. This may be the best recruiting class ever to be assembled at the University of Massachusetts. Getting national recognition is a testament to all the hard work my coaching staff has put forth. We will continue to recruit the best players in the country and will be relentless in that pursuit."
Each member of the group completed their NLIs during the early signing period, which began on Nov. 8 and runs through Nov. 15. The NCAA's regular signing period will run from April 11-May 16, 2018.
Meet The Newest Minutewomen
Alexa Kellner • Forward • 6-1 • Stamford, Connecticut • Stamford HS
Coached by Diane Burns at Stamford High School, Kellner captured a FCIAC Championship as a sophomore as well as a Connecticut Class LL title. The following year, she averaged 15.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game as the Black Knights finished as runners-up in the FCIAC. Individually, Kellner is a two-time team captain as well as an All-FCIAC First Team, All-State and two-time Hearst Connecticut Media All-Star selection. She played club basketball for Hudson Valley Elite, taking MVP honors at the 2017 Gym Rat Challenge.
Coach Verdi on Kellner: "Alexa is a stretch forward who can shoot it from deep range. Her versatility will help as she can play multiple positions on the floor. Alexa has the ability to score at all three levels, making her a tough match up."
Kellner on UMass: "I chose UMass because I fell in love with the campus and the people. It is very family-oriented which is something I was looking for. Mainly, I trust Coach Verdi's plan to rebuild, and I want to be a part of that change."
Madison Lowery • Guard • 6-1 • Virginia Beach, Virginia • TPLS Christian Academy
A three-time team captain and 85 percent free throw shooter, Lowery has scored over 2,200 points in her TPLS career before beginning her senior year. As a junior in 2016-17 under head coach Mike Davis, she averaged 16.5 points per game, six rebounds and wrapped up the season with a 92-of-104 clip at the charity stripe. She has enjoyed a decorated career both on individual and team levels, being named to the Rose Classic Super Jam All-Tournament Team and NISAA Canadian Classic All-Tournament Team. Lowery also was a two-time state champion with BWSL Richmond.
Coach Verdi on Lowery: "Madison is of the best shooters in the country in the 2018 class. She is a big guard who has deep NBA range. She has played against some of the best AAU programs in the country, where I have witnessed her ability to hit 10 three-pointers in a game!"
Lowery on UMass: "Right when I stepped foot on campus, I knew in my heart that UMass was the school for me. I also developed such a good relationship with the coaching staff and wanted to be a part of this special team and putting UMass women's basketball on the map!"
Asia McCoy • Guard • 5-10 • Lawrenceville, Georgia • Archer HS (Georgia)
Jessica Nelson • Forward • 6-2 • Buford, Georgia • Buford HS
Nelson has been coached by Gene Durdon at Buford High School, where she won region and state titles as a freshman and junior while also leading the Wolves in rebounding. With Nelson serving a critical role, Buford went 84-11 over the last three seasons en route to an additional Georgia Final Four ticket in 2016. Nelson joined fellow signee Asia McCoy in GYEBL ball with Team Elite Hubbard, where the duo won back-to-back Nike national titles and consecutive AAU national crowns.
Coach Verdi on Nelson: "Jessica is a big-time, athletic post player with an unbelievable high ceiling. She is long, which gives her the opportunity to rebound out of her area. Her size and length will be utilized on the defensive end and in post-up situations. She also has the ability to run the floor in transition and beat her defender down the floor."
Nelson on UMass: "I chose UMass because I feel like it really reminded me of home when I came to visit. Coach Verdi and the staff were amazing throughout the entire process and I truly believe they are forming something great. I'm excited to have the opportunity to be a part of it."
Destiny Philoxy • Guard • 5-7 • Queens, New York • South Shore HS
Philoxy is ranked No. 228 nationally in the 2018 recruiting class and No. 54 at her position by the Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. She will wrap up her four-year career with South Shore as a captain this coming season following three consecutive city championships and a New York state title in 2016-17. She is a two-time NYSSWA All-State honoree, landing Second Team honors in 2017 and Honorable Mention recognition in 2016. She also played AAU ball for the New York Gauchos. Philoxy has played under head coach Anwar Gladden and her sister, Selena, is a freshman forward at Seton Hall.
Coach Verdi on Philoxy: "Destiny is an explosive, athletic guard who will wreck defensive havoc on opponents. She has the ability to get to the rim and create in transition. She is going to be a great addition to our back court."
Philoxy on UMass: "UMass isn't far from home for me, and I feel that the school allows me to grow as a basketball player and as a student."
Follow UMass women's basketball on Twitter (@UMassWBB), Instagram (UMassWBB) and Facebook (UMass Women's Basketball) for the latest news and updates around the team.
Regarded as one of the highest-caliber classes in program history, the group was ranked No. 57 nationally by Blue Star Basketball as well as No. 62 in the country by PASS.
"Overall, I'm very excited to announce these additions to our program," Verdi said. "I know that this class will help catapult this program to where we want to go. My expectation is to win Atlantic 10 Championships and I feel that our program is moving in that direction. This may be the best recruiting class ever to be assembled at the University of Massachusetts. Getting national recognition is a testament to all the hard work my coaching staff has put forth. We will continue to recruit the best players in the country and will be relentless in that pursuit."
Each member of the group completed their NLIs during the early signing period, which began on Nov. 8 and runs through Nov. 15. The NCAA's regular signing period will run from April 11-May 16, 2018.
Meet The Newest Minutewomen
Alexa Kellner • Forward • 6-1 • Stamford, Connecticut • Stamford HS
Coached by Diane Burns at Stamford High School, Kellner captured a FCIAC Championship as a sophomore as well as a Connecticut Class LL title. The following year, she averaged 15.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game as the Black Knights finished as runners-up in the FCIAC. Individually, Kellner is a two-time team captain as well as an All-FCIAC First Team, All-State and two-time Hearst Connecticut Media All-Star selection. She played club basketball for Hudson Valley Elite, taking MVP honors at the 2017 Gym Rat Challenge.
Coach Verdi on Kellner: "Alexa is a stretch forward who can shoot it from deep range. Her versatility will help as she can play multiple positions on the floor. Alexa has the ability to score at all three levels, making her a tough match up."
Kellner on UMass: "I chose UMass because I fell in love with the campus and the people. It is very family-oriented which is something I was looking for. Mainly, I trust Coach Verdi's plan to rebuild, and I want to be a part of that change."
Madison Lowery • Guard • 6-1 • Virginia Beach, Virginia • TPLS Christian Academy
A three-time team captain and 85 percent free throw shooter, Lowery has scored over 2,200 points in her TPLS career before beginning her senior year. As a junior in 2016-17 under head coach Mike Davis, she averaged 16.5 points per game, six rebounds and wrapped up the season with a 92-of-104 clip at the charity stripe. She has enjoyed a decorated career both on individual and team levels, being named to the Rose Classic Super Jam All-Tournament Team and NISAA Canadian Classic All-Tournament Team. Lowery also was a two-time state champion with BWSL Richmond.
Coach Verdi on Lowery: "Madison is of the best shooters in the country in the 2018 class. She is a big guard who has deep NBA range. She has played against some of the best AAU programs in the country, where I have witnessed her ability to hit 10 three-pointers in a game!"
Lowery on UMass: "Right when I stepped foot on campus, I knew in my heart that UMass was the school for me. I also developed such a good relationship with the coaching staff and wanted to be a part of this special team and putting UMass women's basketball on the map!"
Asia McCoy • Guard • 5-10 • Lawrenceville, Georgia • Archer HS (Georgia)
McCoy has three times been crowned a Georgia Region 8 Champion under the tutelage of Bob Westbrook. Last season as a junior, she picked up All-State, All-Region and All-County First Team laurels, while helping her team reach the Georgia Final Four. McCoy logged 13 points per game in her junior season, also boasting seven boards and three assists. That same year, she was named a GACA All-Star Showcase selection. She will captain the Archer squad during her senior campaign. McCoy has played for Team Elite Hubbard at the GYEBL level alongside fellow signee Jessica Nelson and is a two-time Nike National Champion.
Coach Verdi on McCoy: "Asia is a big scoring guard who has the potential to be a scoring machine in the Atlantic 10. A natural scorer, Asia can create for herself in one-on-one situations or in the open floor."
McCoy on UMass: "I chose UMass because of the family-like environment. Upon entering campus, all the coaches treated me like one of their own as well as the players. They all were very caring, honest and extremely funny. I knew that this was the school for me!"
Coach Verdi on McCoy: "Asia is a big scoring guard who has the potential to be a scoring machine in the Atlantic 10. A natural scorer, Asia can create for herself in one-on-one situations or in the open floor."
McCoy on UMass: "I chose UMass because of the family-like environment. Upon entering campus, all the coaches treated me like one of their own as well as the players. They all were very caring, honest and extremely funny. I knew that this was the school for me!"
Jessica Nelson • Forward • 6-2 • Buford, Georgia • Buford HS
Nelson has been coached by Gene Durdon at Buford High School, where she won region and state titles as a freshman and junior while also leading the Wolves in rebounding. With Nelson serving a critical role, Buford went 84-11 over the last three seasons en route to an additional Georgia Final Four ticket in 2016. Nelson joined fellow signee Asia McCoy in GYEBL ball with Team Elite Hubbard, where the duo won back-to-back Nike national titles and consecutive AAU national crowns.
Coach Verdi on Nelson: "Jessica is a big-time, athletic post player with an unbelievable high ceiling. She is long, which gives her the opportunity to rebound out of her area. Her size and length will be utilized on the defensive end and in post-up situations. She also has the ability to run the floor in transition and beat her defender down the floor."
Nelson on UMass: "I chose UMass because I feel like it really reminded me of home when I came to visit. Coach Verdi and the staff were amazing throughout the entire process and I truly believe they are forming something great. I'm excited to have the opportunity to be a part of it."
Destiny Philoxy • Guard • 5-7 • Queens, New York • South Shore HS
Philoxy is ranked No. 228 nationally in the 2018 recruiting class and No. 54 at her position by the Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. She will wrap up her four-year career with South Shore as a captain this coming season following three consecutive city championships and a New York state title in 2016-17. She is a two-time NYSSWA All-State honoree, landing Second Team honors in 2017 and Honorable Mention recognition in 2016. She also played AAU ball for the New York Gauchos. Philoxy has played under head coach Anwar Gladden and her sister, Selena, is a freshman forward at Seton Hall.
Coach Verdi on Philoxy: "Destiny is an explosive, athletic guard who will wreck defensive havoc on opponents. She has the ability to get to the rim and create in transition. She is going to be a great addition to our back court."
Philoxy on UMass: "UMass isn't far from home for me, and I feel that the school allows me to grow as a basketball player and as a student."
Follow UMass women's basketball on Twitter (@UMassWBB), Instagram (UMassWBB) and Facebook (UMass Women's Basketball) for the latest news and updates around the team.
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