WNBA
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Louisville Lands Nation's No. 2 Prospect, Asia Durr

Women Basketball Recruiting, Louisville Cardinals

Point guard Asia Durr, the No. 2 prospect in the espnW HoopGurlz Super 60 for the 2015 class, announced Tuesday that she will play her college basketball at Louisville.

Durr said she picked Louisville for a multitude of reasons.

"It was the family environment, the fan base, the support, the players and the coaches," she said. "It felt like home as soon as I got on campus."

Durr, who has led St. Pius X (Atlanta) to two straight state titles, chose Louisville over Baylor, Duke, Maryland and Notre Dame. Previously, she had eliminated Tennessee, Florida State, Georgia, Rutgers, South Carolina, Connecticut, Kentucky and LSU in one of the most hotly contested recruiting battles in the nation.

Tuesday's announcement is huge news for Louisville coach Jeff Walz and a Cardinals program that has been on the rise since he arrived on campus for the 2007 season.

Under Walz, the Cardinals have finished second in the nation twice -- in 2009 and 2013 -- and reached the Elite Eight three times, including last season.

Walz, who has averaged 26 wins a year at Louisville, is already the program's leader in career victories (181-70).

The WNBA has taken notice, drafting three Cardinals in 2014, the most of any school in the selection process.

"We talked about that during my visit," Durr said of Louisville's success in the draft. "It shows you how the coaches stick to their word and make the girls better players."

Durr, a 5-foot-10, ambidextrous player, recently won a gold medal at the U17 World Championships with Team USA.

As for her college choice, Durr had said previously that the decision process was a bit overwhelming.

"It got a bit crazy," said Durr, who wore her school uniform to Tuesday's news conference and then donned a gray Louisville T-shirt and a red Cardinals cap to punctuate her announcement.

Durr, who writes with her right hand and shoots with her left, spent parts of the past two summers playing for her country in foreign locales such as Mexico and France.

On July 6 in the Czech Republic, she led the U.S. to a 77-75 win over Spain in the final of the 2014 U17 World Championships.

Durr had 17 points and four assists in the final as the U.S. overcame a 40-point performance by tournament MVP Angela Salvadores of Spain. Durr scored the Americans' final four points on a field goal in the lane and two free throws.

If Durr felt any pressure, she didn't play tight, setting a Team USA record for foul shooting at a U17 tournament (88.2 percent).

Durr helped the U.S. finish with a 7-0 record and was her team's second-leading scorer with a 13.4 average.

In high school last season, Durr averaged 24.4 points for St. Pius X (30-3), leading her team to the Class 3A title and earning recognition as Georgia's Gatorade Player of the Year.

She can also do more than score, averaging 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals.

In the state title game, a 48-45 win over Buford, she had 23 points, five rebounds, two steals and two assists.

Durr also averaged 18.4 points in for Team USA in 2013 in Mexico, leading the United States to the gold medal in the FIBA Americas tournament.

In addition, Durr, who carries a 3.2 GPA and is interested in studying sports management, is active in her community.

St. Pius X coach Kyle Snipes said he is excited for Durr and also thankful the process has come to a close.

"Last fall was the most hectic for me with all the coaches calling and visiting," Snipes said. "I'm sure it has been equal part fun, hectic, stressful and pressurized for her."

Snipes said he believes Durr is at peace with her decision.

He also believes Louisville's coaches are getting a player and a person who is even better than they realize.

"They are getting a kid who is a hard worker," Snipes said. "Her work ethic is off the charts. She is humble and handles herself extremely well. She pays attention to detail at practice.

"Once they get her on campus, they will truly see how special she is in all aspects. I'm extremely happy for her."

Durr said she got emotional before and during her news conference on Tuesday.

"I'm lost for words," she said. "It's a feeling of success. I don't know how to explain it except to say it feels amazing. I'm blessed to have this opportunity.

"All my hard work has paid off."

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