Rutgers women's basketball's summer notebook
It has been a busy summer abroad and on the recruiting trail for the Rutgers women's basketball team and head coach Coquese Washington.
The Scarlet Knights have hosted many top recruits in the 2024 class, been active in the transfer portal and took an 11-day trip to Greece and Croatia. For those who have struggled to keep track of Rutgers' summer activity, here's a look back at its busy summer so far.
The Knights take an 11-day trip to Greece and Croatia
On August 7, Rutgers embarked on an 11-day trip to Greece and Croatia. The Knights spent their first five days in Athens, Greece, before traveling to Split, Croatia, for three days and Dubrovnik, Croatia, for the final three days.
Rutgers played three games, one in each city, during the foreign tour and won all three games.
In Athens, Greece, the Knights did some touring and sightseeing, including visiting the Panhellenic Olympic Stadium. On August 10, Rutgers played its first game of the tour, defeating the University of Regina by a score of 76-72. Senior center Chyna Cornwell starred in the game, scoring 12 points and corralling in 20 rebounds.
In Split, Croatia, the Knights walked around the city and took in the sights before beating the InCroatia AllStars by a score of 121-36. Cornwell had another strong performance, scoring 17 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. The day after Rutgers' victory, the team visited Krka National Park and took a jet boat ride.
The Knights ended their tour in Dubrovnik, Croatia. In Dubrovnik, Croatia, Rutgers took a city tour and visited some places where "Game of Thrones" was filmed. After going on some more excursions, the Knights played their last game of the foreign tour, defeating ŽKK Buducnost Podgorica by a score of 87-68. Junior guard and forward Destiny Adams led the team in scoring with 15 points.
It was a successful foreign tour for Rutgers as it will now look toward preparing for the season.
The Knights' new freshman class
Rutgers welcomed the new freshman class on the Banks over the course of 2023. Freshman guard Jillian Huerter and freshman guard Lisa Thompson will be joining the Knights for the 2023-2024 season. Huerter comes from a basketball family and is a great passer and shooter. Hunter was also a two-time Section 2 All-Star in high school.
"We are truly thrilled to have Jillian join our Scarlet Knight family," Washington said. "Jillian is a very talented and versatile player. She is so highly skilled."
Thompson is a four-star recruit from Example Academy in Frankfort, Illinois. In 2023, Thomspon led Example Academy to a 2023 Independent National Championship.
"We are truly fortunate to add a player like Lisa Thompson to our roster," Washington said. "Lisa is one of the most athletically gifted players in the entire 2023 class."
Rutgers making noise in the 2024 recruiting class
The Knights have also been very active in the 2024 recruiting class.
Rutgers already has a commitment from four-star forward Zachara Perkins. In the Rutgers football team's win against Temple, the Rutgers women's basketball team hosted Perkins, four-star wing Devyn Quigley from Manchester High School and five-star guard Mikayla Blakes from Rutgers Preparatory School.
If Washington were able to secure the commitment of Quigley or Blakes, the Knights would have a very strong 2024 recruiting class.
With fall right around the corner, practice will begin to ramp up for the Knights as they prepare for their season opener against Monmouth on November 6.
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