Napheesa thought she might attend Mizzou because she did not think she was talented enough to get an offer from Uconn. She stated she was surprised when she received her offer from Uconn. Her high school team played Cunningham's team at least three to four times during their high school careers. Napheesa's Incarnate Word team won each time. One year as a class five team. The following year Incarnate Word dropped to class four because of an enrollment drop. They continued to play and beat class five teams in the regular season and dominated the class four teams in the State Tournament. Incarnate usually played Cunningham's Columbia Rockbridge school once in an in-season tourney and in the State Tournament. Per my memory they won each time. I could tell Cunningham would be exceptional when I saw her play her freshman year. I watched her all four of her high school seasons. She was fearless and very good. She even impressed my oldest granddaughter who is not easily impressed.
I find it strange Naphessa felt that way. Intense Humility I guess. From what I recall, she was already excelling in USA International Tournaments and getting accolades from the National Coaches Looking up the details,
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES: Was the 2014 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior after leading Incarnate Word Academy of St. Louis to a 31-1 record and the Missouri Class 4 state title by averaging 23.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 4.2 steals. In the state championship game she had 33 points, nine rebounds and five steals to lead the Red Knights to a 60-43 win over Dexter at Mizzou Arena. Was the 2014 Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) Class 4 Player of the Year ... Helped Incarnate Word earn a perfect 31-0 state championship season as a sophomore by averaging 24.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 4.0 steals and was the Metro Women's Athletic Association Player of the Year ... Played her freshman year at Jefferson City High School where she averaged 17.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 3.7 steals.
USA BASKETBALL NOTES: Has won two gold medals in international competition ... Teamed with fellow UConn recruits De'Janae Boykin and Katie Lou Samuelson in August to win gold (3x3 competition) at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China ... Was member of the 2014 national team that posted a 5-0 record and won the 2014 FIBA Americas U-18 tournament title in Colorado Springs and qualified Team USA for the 2015 FIBA?U-19 world championships. Started four of five games and averaged 14.0 points and team-high 8.6 rebounds along with 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals.