Top 2027 recruit Ashley MacCalla has committed to Rutgers over programs including Oklahoma, Miami and Cal. The 5-10 guard from Middletown (NY) St. James Performance Academy was one of the biggest stockrisers of the summer.
“My biggest strength is that every time I step on a court, I’m one of the most athletic girls on the court,” she said. “I really take advantage of it, whether it’s on defense or offense, I’m the type of girl that plays in transition. I don’t really care about highlights or anything like that. I do what my team needs to win, whether that’s just playing defense, getting steals, getting blocks, or pushing in transition. I’m one of those girls that a coach will love to coach, because I don’t really care about the highlight reel and stuff like that. I just want to do what the team needs to do to win.”
Rutgers was one of the more recent teams to enter her recruitment, but her relationships with the staff were central.
“Rutgers has been on me a lot too, just because they’re literally an hour away from me,” she previously told Rivals. “It’s been really good. Coach G[ary Redus] met most of my family. He was recruiting me at LSU, so I talked to him a lot. I also talk a lot with Lauren Hansen. She used to play for Exodus and she coaches for Exodus for a little bit too, so I already had that bond with her and it’s great talking to them. My parents love him and he’s a great guy. He loves to talk. Campus is beautiful too.”
There were several factors that went into her decision.
“A connection with the coaches,” she said of important factors. “I’d say play style, like how I’d fit in the system and making sure I get a good opportunity to play. I also have an older sister and I want to make sure that she’s able to come with me. Also somewhere that I can develop. I want to make it to the league.”