Nov. 9, 2016
Comprising the inaugural signing class of Vanderbilt first-year head coach Stephanie White, a pair of highly-rated recruits — Autumn Newby and Chelsie Hall — signed National Letters of Intent with the Vanderbilt women’s basketball team on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.
Newby is a 6-2 forward from Archer High in Lawrenceville, Ga., who averaged 12.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game last season. Hall is a 5-7 point guard from Seffner Christian Academy in Tampa, Fla., who averaged 21.2 points per game last year.
Together, the two players form a signing class that was ranked No. 23 in the nation by BlueStar Report on Wednesday. (Newby was ranked by BlueStar as the No. 20 overall prospect and Chelsie was ranked No. 28).
“We are so excited to officially welcome Autumn and Chelsie to our program with today’s signings,” said White. “When you look at both players, they are exactly the type of players that we want in our program. First and foremost, they both excel in the classroom. On the floor, they have high motors, compete at a high level, have a team-first mentality and are service oriented.”
As they head into their senior seasons at their respective high schools, Newby and Hall have each established themselves as prolific scorers. Hall has amassed 1,426 points in her prep career and Newby has compiled 1,217 points.
But those numbers only tell part of the story. Both Newby and Hall bring much more to the table than just scoring.
Newby, who plays the 4 position at Archer, has ranked second on the team in assists in each of the past three seasons, while Hall averaged 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 5.2 steals per game last season from her point guard position.
“Versatility is such a key to success in our system, and both Autumn and Chelsie have it,” said White. “The other piece to that is play-making abilities, and they both have that, too.”
Both players also have histories of success. Hall has been a member of two national championship AAU teams, and has played a key role in leading Seffner Christian to the Class 3A state finals as a sophomore. Newby, meanwhile, has helped Archer High compile an 80-15 record over the past three seasons, with one trip to the state finals, one trip to the Final Four and one trip to the Sweet 16. (Archer has lost to eventual state champ, McEachern, each year.)
Newby has collected a long list of awards in her career, including being named the Region 8/6-A Player of the Year last season. She is a three-time GACA First Team All-State selection and a three-time First Team All-Region selection in Georgia’s biggest classification (6-A). She was also named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s First Team AAAAAA All-State team in 2016.
Newby is ranked the No. 28 overall prospect — and No. 9 at her position — by ESPN HoopGurlz. She is also listed No. 25 overall by SheHoops and No. 47 overall Prospects Nation.
“Autumn is a player who can play inside and out,” said White. “She can stretch the floor, shoot the 3, and put it on the ground. She can play multiple positions on offense and she can defend multiple positions on defense.”
Hall, who has scored 1,139 points while shooting 51 percent from the floor over the past two seasons, was a First Team 3A All-State selection in 2016 and a Second Team 3A All-State pick in 2015.
She is ranked No. 23 at her position by ESPN HoopGurlz, No. 34 overall by Prospects Nation and No. 16 overall by SheHoops.
“Chelsie really understands the game, and has a high basketball IQ,” White said. “She’s a very good floor leader and a playmaker, which is something we covet in our system. She can put the ball on the deck, get to the rim or find an open teammate. Chelsie defends at a high level and can set the tone for our defensive system.”
White said she believes both players can make a big impact at Vanderbilt.
“Both Autumn and Chelsie have the skill set and mentality to help us move in the direction of the way we want to play,” said White, “and we can’t wait to see them in a Vanderbilt uniform.”
