When 6-foot guard Jayde Woods committed to the Oregon women’s basketball team last November, she did so on Kelly Graves’ coaching debut. That night, the Ducks won 100-77 over Utah State, but Woods’s pledge started a tide of girls basketball players to choose the Ducks.
So far, Oregon’s 2016 recruiting class, set to sign letters-of-intent on November 11, totals six. That group includes: Sierra Campisano, Mallory McGwire, Morgan Yaeger, Lydia Giomi and Ruthy Hebard. Last week, Woods, a Yorba Linda, California native, described why she ultimately chose the Ducks and what it’s been like as part of Oregon’s self-described “program-defining” class.
What made you want to be a Duck initially?
“Basically, I have always loved Oregon—just as a state, going up there for tournaments every summer. I liked the University and the basketball program before Kelly Graves, but then I never had really talked to the coaching staff. Once I started to get to know them, I realized how much I love them as coaches.
I feel like all the different resources can really build up the program to be one of the top programs in the nation. And also, all the facilities are great, but the Jaqua Academic Center is going to be a great resource coming in as a freshman. I can still do community service, which I love to do while still playing basketball. I just love Oregon and everything about it. I just fell in love with the campus.”

You were the first one to get the ball rolling for Oregon’s 2016 class. What’s it been like in the last year being committed?
“It’s been really amazing. During the recruiting process, Coach Graves talked a lot about how he wanted this 2016 class to be a great class with a lot of great players. Me being the first, I didn’t know who was going to come behind me. Once the first girl, Sierra Campisano, committed, I was super excited. I’ve gotten to know her better. … It’s been super exciting to see all these great players committing.”
Has your relationship with Oregon changed at all since you committed last November? Does being a Duck feel like second-nature?
“I feel like it’s the same. During the recruiting process, they would call and text a lot, but when I committed, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh. Are they going to stop texting and calling?’ But nothing has changed at all. I feel just as close if not closer with the coaches. Every day I’m learning new things about Oregon.”

What do think this weekend will be like, with almost all of the 2016 class in Eugene on official visits?
“I think it’ll be great to finally meet everyone officially. Just in regards to Sierra, I’ve been talking to her for almost nine months. It’s just weird because we’re really close as friends but we’ve never actually met. We Snapchat and stuff, but I’m so excited. … I can’t wait to be back on campus again.”
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne