Top basketball recruit Natalya Hodge has close connections with Arizona State\u2019s coaching staff, particularly with coaches she has worked with during high school. The four-star point guard already knows several coaches on the team. These existing relationships could play a significant role in her college decision.<\/p>\n
Hodge will take eight official visits this fall to different schools across the country. College programs across the nation want to sign her after watching her dominate high school basketball. The Bearden High School star scored over 25.0 points per game last season, leading her team to success.<\/p>\n
Arizona State Gains Edge Through Familiar Coaching Connections<\/p>\n
Hodge recently spoke about Arizona State\u2019s advantages in her recruitment process. She told Talia Goodman of On3 Rivals<\/a> about her connection with the Arizona State program and explained her thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have new coaches too. One of the coaches came from Penn State and I have a lot of relationships with them,\u201d she said about assistant coach Daniel Barber joining the program\u2019s coaching transition.<\/p>\n The Tennessee star continued discussing her familiarity with the staff changes.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a relationship with Coach [Stephanie] Norman from Louisville. She just moved there. I haven\u2019t watched them at all because they\u2019re new, so I\u2019m letting God do the work with the schools I haven\u2019t watched. They\u2019ve been at events and every game since they started recruiting me, so they\u2019re showing a lot of support.\u201d<\/p>\n Coach Stephanie Norman recently joined Arizona State after leaving Louisville and brought her recruiting connections with her. This gives the Sun Devils a clear advantage over other schools trying to sign Hodge because Norman already built a relationship with her. Norman has known Hodge for years from working with her during the latter\u2019s high school career.<\/p>\n Hodge put up big numbers during her high school season last year. She recorded 25.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 3.7 steals per game. Her strong play helped her team go 33-6 and make it to the state semifinals.<\/p>\n Natalya Hodge (@natalyahodge2<\/a>) poured in 27 points to help @BHSLadyBulldogs<\/a> top Cleveland 56-37. pic.twitter.com\/51vWmomida<\/a><\/p>\n