Published: 7/19/2007
Author: Bob_Richards
© Old Gold Free Press Columnists
Fresh off the heels of the Tuesday commitment of Chelsea Jones, Purdue head coach Sharon Versyp had the third of her four scholarships for the class of 2008 claimed by one of her top targets -- Alex Guyton of Bloomington, Ind.Guyton, a 6'3, 189-pound power forward from Bloomington North High, committed to the Boilers after recinding her commitment to Michigan following the resignation and retirement of Cheryl Burnett. Guyton soon focused on three new programs -- Purdue, Marquette and Penn State -- following a host of recruiting inquiries following her decommitment from Division I head coaches from Notre Dame, Kentucky, Miami and Indiana. But looking at her reactions during the junior all-star scrimmage in Mackey Arena in June, it was hard for Guyton to hide her enthusiasm over the possibility she could become a Boilermaker.
She should mesh very well with fellow 2008 recruit Brittany Rayburn. Guyton played on the same Indiana's Finest 14-under team with Rayburn in 2005 that won a national championship, before moving to The Family program for 2006 and 2007. Following the 2005 national championship, The Family in 2006 finished with a 6-1 record at Nike Nationals, losing to champion Georgia Metros.
Guyton averaged 12.8 points and 2.4 blocked shots as a junior. As a sophomore, she averaged 17.8 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals. She is ranked as the 59th-best prospect in the nation by HoopGurlz.
Guyton will sign a national letter-of-intent during the November signing period, and plans to major in business at Purdue.