All-star games have enabled future Huskies to bond

There was already a strong connection among the four incoming freshmen before this week's Jordan Brand Classic festivities in New York. But much like when Stefanie Dolson and Bria Hartley as well as Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson took part in national high school all-star events, the time as teammates or even as rivals is only strengthening the bond between the future teammates.

"We all know each other but it is different when you are going to the same school with someone," said Megan Walker, who was a teammate of Mikayla Coombs at the McDonald's All-American Game and will be on the same team as Lexi Gordon in today's Jordan Brand Classic.

The roster breakdowns in all-star games can be geographically challenged at time and this year it is no different as Gordon, a Texas native, is on the East team while Coombs, who will become the third Georgia Miss Basketball award winner to suit up for the Huskies, will play on the West. Still, Coombs is learning more about Walker and Gordon over these last few days even if they happen to be on the other team.

"I guess I'm just taking it all in," Coombs said. "That (McDonald's game) was awesome, it gave me a look of what school is going to look like next year. I am sad that I can't play with Megan and Lexi. We are really close now and even on this trip, you can tell how close me and Megan are. After our official we became really close."

Walker took it a step further saying that the bonds formed with her fellow incoming freshmen helped her make her college decision.

Gordon wasn't selected to play in the McDonald's game so she is trying to make the most of every moment that she is in New York.

"It is a blessing to be there," Gordon said. "I didn't get to go to McDonald's, this is the last for me and it is really fun to be around everybody that I know and taking advantage of the opportunity we have been given."

If there is a regret it is that the fourth commit, Andra Espinoza-Hunter is not playing in the game as well. Espinoza-Hunter. She did get to play in the Rose Classic in New York and was named her team's MVP with 23 points yesterday.

The Jordan Brand Classic girls game will tip at 5:30 p.m. (or perhaps a few minutes after that). It won't be televised and I am not covering the game but hope to pass on the stats from the game either tonight or tomorrow.