Former stars advise current crop of potential D-I players

The players on the girls basketball teams in the Tri-Cities Area aren't really known for heading to Division-I schools for basketball.

Soccer? Yes. Volleyball? For sure. There's been several for golf, softball and every other sport, but not really basketball.

In the past 6 years, only three basketball players have gone Division I -- Rosary's Elyse VanBogaert (Loyola), West Aurora's Stanecia Graham (Texas Tech) and Katie White (Coastal Carolina).

This season, however, it's a different story, as three of the area's finest -- St. Charles North junior Kelsey Smith, Geneva junior Taylor Whitley and Rosary senior Victoria Alvarez -- all have the potential and have been looked at by D-I schools.

All three, who made varsity as freshmen, have yet to make a decision on where they are going next. Smith and Whitley still have another year of high school basketball.

Smith, a 6-foot-4 center, is the most recruited girls basketball player the area has seen in a while. It's not a question of what schools are interested -- it's what conferences want her.

Big 10, Big 12, ACC, you name it, they want her. Smith is currently averaging 15.6 points and 8.4 rebounds a game while shooting 62 percent from the field.

"The list is pretty big now," Smith said. "Right now, it's e-mails and getting letters. I haven't been able to keep up with it a ton, but I'm trying to manage it so that it doesn't get out of control.

"I'm just trying to have fun with it."

"Anyone who has seen us play knows she is an asset," St. Charles North coach Katie Sauber said. "It's no secret she is an awesome player."

Smith said once the North Stars' season is over, she will focus on her dream college more. She plans on making her decision before the start of her senior year, which is exactly what Whitley said she wants to do as well.

Whitley, last year's Tri-Cities All-Area captain, is getting looked at by mid-majors like Cleveland State and Bradley. She too is still weighing her options.

Whitley capped her third year with the Vikings averaging a team-best 17.7 points, 3.3 assists and 3.7 steals a game.

"It's just been letters and e-mails so far," said Whitley, who wants to major in either physical therapy or business/advertising. "It's really wide open now."

While Smith and Whitley are playing basketball for sure, Alvarez is still undecided.

"I'm keeping my options open," Alvarez said. "I guess if I really wanted to, I could (go D-I), but I'm not sure yet. (Division) I, II or III or even at all."

Alvarez, who has taken an interest in studying forensic science, averaged 9.8 points, 7.7 assists and 5.4 steals a game in her final year with the Royals, who set a school record in wins this year after winning their second consecutive regional title.

White, VanBogaert and Graham were all in this same boat before. They've been there, they know what it takes to get to that final decision.

For VanBogaert, a 2006 grad, Loyola stood out because of the education, proximity to home and coaches.

What she didn't know was how much harder college basketball would be than high school.

"There's no comparison," VanBogaert said. "High school is fun. In college, it's like a job. It's a lot of hours. You really earn your scholarship."

For White, a 2007 grad, she said some of the bigger adjustments have included longer road trips (up to eight hours), longer practices at odd times and being far away from home with limited chances of visiting.

"It's a big adjustment," White said. "It's more competitive."

VanBogaert, Rosary's first-ever freshman on varsity and four-time all-area selection, went from averaging 5 points a game as a freshman to the second-leading scorer for Loyola at 11.4 points a game.

Her biggest piece of advice for these undecided players? Make sure you know what you want. This includes her former teammate Alvarez, who she played with for two seasons with the Royals.

"It's not for everyone," VanBogaert said of playing D-I basketball. "Take your time deciding where you want to go. Don't rush the process."

White, who is currently enjoying the 80 degree weather and beach 10 minutes away from her South Carolina-based school, agreed with VanBogaert regarding the decision-making process.

"Really know what you want," said White, who is averaging 4.4 points in 14 minutes a game. "Know what the coaches plan on doing with you and see if you fit in with that."

Graham, who was unavailable for comment, spent two years at Cloud Community College before transferring to Texas Tech. Still wearing No. 24, the 2006 grad is averaging 7.7 points and 5.4 rebounds a game.

cbolin@dailyherald.com