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Saylor Poffenbarger commits to UConn

Matt Ward|
TOWSON, MD - MARCH 16: River Hill Hawks guard Anhyia Smith (30) goes to the basket for a lay up over Middletown Knights guard Saylor Poffenbarger (4) during the second quarter at SECU Arena. (Photo by Terrance Williams for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
TOWSON, MD - MARCH 16: River Hill Hawks guard Anhyia Smith (30) goes to the basket for a lay up over Middletown Knights guard Saylor Poffenbarger (4) during the second quarter at SECU Arena. (Photo by Terrance Williams for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Poffenbarger ’21 has committed to play for the Huskies

Fresh off of a gold medal for Team USA in the U16 FIBA Americas, Saylor Poffenbarger ’21 has verbally committed to head coach Geno Auriemma and the University of Connecticut. She chose UConn over Maryland, Oregon, and Missouri.

Poffenbarger, of Middletown, Maryland, is one of just three top-100 recruits in the 2021 class according to ESPN to make a commitment thus far–joining Brooke Demetre (Stanford) and Kendra Gillispie (Ole Miss).

The 6’2 guard played the fourth most minutes for Team USA in Chile, while averaging 7.2 points per game, as they cruised to the gold medal. She is a two-time all-state selection, and two-time conference player of the year. Poffenbarger has already surpassed the 1000 point mark and she is only entering her junior year, and averaged a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

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Poffenbarger is a unique talent with a blend of skill and size at her position, that makes her both an extremely versatile player, and a difficult matchup defensively.  At 6’2, she has legitimate guard skills and handle, while also having the height and quickness to be able to guard multiple positions.  She is also a very good three-point shooter. In fact, this might be her most important offensive skill as she prepares for the college level.  She has terrific range, and with her height and leaping ability, she can shoot over the top of most defenders.

While she has the special ability to stretch the floor with her shooting ability, there’s no doubt that Poffenbarger is a three-level scorer. Her strength, confidence off the dribble, along with the ability to handle the ball effectively at her position, allows her to get to the rim often, where she finishes consistently.

Poffenbarger has set the tone for Auriemma and UConn’s 2021 recruiting class. UConn has already landed commitments from two top-50 players in the 2020 class, Paige Bueckers (No. 1) and Mir McLean (No. 32).

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