WOMEN'S BASKEBALL
BY LOU SOMOGYI
A
fter filling the low post during
the 2013 and 2014 recruiting
cycles with five players that
stand at least 6‑2 — headlined
by top‑five prospects in 6‑3 sopho‑
more Taya Reimer and 6‑3 freshman
Brianna Turner — Notre Dame head
coach Muffet McGraw and her staff
centered their attention on the back‑
court in the class of 2015.
The result, when the early signing
period began Nov. 12, yielded three
guards that rank among the finest in
the land: Marina Mabrey, Arike Ogun‑
bowale and Ali Patberg, who all have
received notice as five‑star players.
"This might be the best group of
passers we've ever had, so I expect
next year our assist‑to‑turnover ratio
is going to be really good," said Mc‑
Graw, who is entering her 28th year of
coaching the Irish women.
With four consecutive Final Four
appearances — and advancing to the
championship tilt in three of them —
recruiting success has perpetuated it‑
self to where the only surprise is if an
Irish recruit doesn't rank among the
top 20. It is the fourth straight year
BACKCOURT
BONANZA
Three five-star guards sign with the Irish
Prospects Nation rates Marina Mabrey, a versatile
5‑11 guard from Belmar, N.J., as the No. 7 overall
player in the class of 2015.
PHOTO BY GARRETT ELLWOOD/FIBA
