Photo by: Creighton Athletics
Women's Basketball Inks Nationally Recognized Recruiting Class
11/13/2024 9:44:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Omaha, Neb. -- In the midst of a program best three consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, Creighton Women's Basketball Head Coach Jim Flanery and the Bluejay staff have reloaded with one of the top recruiting classes for the 2025-26 season. Creighton officially announced the signing of Avery Cooper (Sterling, Ill.), Neleigh Gessert (Omaha, Neb.), Norah Gessert (Omaha, Neb.), Kendall McGee (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and Ava Zediker (Des Moines, Iowa). The five additions were recognized by ESPNW as a Top-13 early recruiting class.
"We were looking for a talented class to be foundational for the program moving forward," said Flanery. "The five players that have chosen to come to Creighton are competitive and have already gotten to know each other. We love their versatility and this group has the ability to be our best yet."
Overall this class of 2025-26 marks the first time Creighton has brought in three players (Neleigh Gessert, Norah Gessert and Ava Zediker) ranked in the ESPNW Top-100, surpassing 2015 when the Bluejays brought in Audrey Faber (No. 72) and Jaylyn Agnew (No. 100). Zediker is the top rated recruit to become a Bluejay at No. 69.
"Our staff does a tremendous job building relationships at all levels, be it the student-athletes, families as well as high school and club coaches," added Flanery. "Our recent success as well as the resources we have including our facilities help open doors, but our staff deserves the bulk of the credit."
Ranked as the No. 2 power forward in Illinois by Prep Girls Hoops, Cooper will join Creighton from Lake Zurich HS. Standing 6'2'', Cooper averages just under 10 points per game (9.8 ppg) as well as 7.5 rebounds per contest. She is a four-year starter, a two-time All-State selection by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Assocation, a two-time All-Area pick by the Daily Herald and earned All-Area First Team from the Chicago Tribune. An all-around athlete, Cooper is also the Illinois Class 3A top hurdler in 100 and 300 meters.
"I chose Creighton because of their successful basketball program and awesome coaching staff!!," said Cooper. "Also, the high academics is a perfect opportunity for me to succeed off the court!"
Neleigh Gessert is a 6'1'' wing from Millard West HS. One of three Bluejay recruits ranked in the ESPNW Top-100, Neleigh is slated as No. 82. More than impressive she is averaging 18.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg and 2.4 assists per game. Gessert and her twin sister (Norah) helped lead Millard West to its first State Championship last season with a 27-1 record. The duo also helped their AAU team (ETG) claim a National Championship on the adidas 3SSB circuit. Neleigh was named the Millard West Female Athlete of the Year in 2024, earning All-Nebraska recognition from the Omaha World-Herald and Super State First Team from the Lincoln Journal Star. She surpassed 1,000 career points during the 2023-24 season and set the Millard West record with 54 blocks as a sophomore.
Neleigh said she choose Creighton because she felt a close personal connection to the staff, loved the world class facilities and it allowed her to remain close to home.
Equally talented twin Norah Gessert is also coming to Creighton from Millard West. Ranked No. 91 in the ESPNW Top-100, Norah was another critical member of the Millard West State Championship team last season as well as the National Championship earned by ETG. Norah averaged nearly 11 points (10.7 ppg), five rebounds (5.3 rpg), two steals (2.0 spg) and better than four assists (4.4 apg) per contest in 2023-24. An All-Nebraska First Team selection by the Omaha World-Herald, Norah is the No. 2 ranked played in Nebraska by Prep Girls Hoops.
"I fell in love with Creighton from the very beginning, the first step on campus I knew it would be home," said Norah Gessert. "Ever since I was a kid, Creighton has been nothing less than a dream school for me, and I can't wait to be a Bluejay!"
Standing 5'10'' from Benilde St. Margaret's HS, McGee continues a long line of recruits to join the Bluejays from Minnesota. She is the No. 3 prospect from the 10,000 Lakes (Prep Girls Hoops), where she averaged 20.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.9 apg and 2.6 steals per game as a sophomore. McGee surpassed the 1,000-point mark during the 2022-23 season, earning 3A All-State Honors. Off the court McGee is a National Honor Society Member and has a 4.04 GPA.
"I choose Creighton because I instantly felt welcomed and at home by the staff and future teammates," said McGee. "In addition, Creighton is a school that is going to help me achieve big things on the court and in the classroom as well."
The top ranked prospect to commit to Creighton, Zediker joins the Bluejays from Dowling Catholic HS in Des Moines, Iowa. Ranked No. 69 in the ESPNW Top-100, Zediker surpasses another Bluejay that came from Dowling Catholic, Audrey Faber, who was ranked No. 72 in 2015 when she committed to Creighton. Selected to compete in the 2022 WNBA All-Star Challeng, Zediker was the 5A Player of the Year in 2023-24. A three-time All-State selection, Zediker also is a three-time Central Iowa Metro League selection and has guided her team to three consecutive state tournament. The 5'11'' point guard is averaging 19 points, five rebounds and four assists per game with a shooting percentage better than 40.0% from long range.
When asked why she choose Creighton, Zediker said "Creighton women's basketball is one of the top programs in the country. Along with strong academics, culture, a great coaching staff, style of play, and staying close to home, Creighton checked off all my boxes. I cannot wait to be a Bluejay!!"
"We were looking for a talented class to be foundational for the program moving forward," said Flanery. "The five players that have chosen to come to Creighton are competitive and have already gotten to know each other. We love their versatility and this group has the ability to be our best yet."
Overall this class of 2025-26 marks the first time Creighton has brought in three players (Neleigh Gessert, Norah Gessert and Ava Zediker) ranked in the ESPNW Top-100, surpassing 2015 when the Bluejays brought in Audrey Faber (No. 72) and Jaylyn Agnew (No. 100). Zediker is the top rated recruit to become a Bluejay at No. 69.
"Our staff does a tremendous job building relationships at all levels, be it the student-athletes, families as well as high school and club coaches," added Flanery. "Our recent success as well as the resources we have including our facilities help open doors, but our staff deserves the bulk of the credit."
Ranked as the No. 2 power forward in Illinois by Prep Girls Hoops, Cooper will join Creighton from Lake Zurich HS. Standing 6'2'', Cooper averages just under 10 points per game (9.8 ppg) as well as 7.5 rebounds per contest. She is a four-year starter, a two-time All-State selection by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Assocation, a two-time All-Area pick by the Daily Herald and earned All-Area First Team from the Chicago Tribune. An all-around athlete, Cooper is also the Illinois Class 3A top hurdler in 100 and 300 meters.
"I chose Creighton because of their successful basketball program and awesome coaching staff!!," said Cooper. "Also, the high academics is a perfect opportunity for me to succeed off the court!"
Neleigh Gessert is a 6'1'' wing from Millard West HS. One of three Bluejay recruits ranked in the ESPNW Top-100, Neleigh is slated as No. 82. More than impressive she is averaging 18.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg and 2.4 assists per game. Gessert and her twin sister (Norah) helped lead Millard West to its first State Championship last season with a 27-1 record. The duo also helped their AAU team (ETG) claim a National Championship on the adidas 3SSB circuit. Neleigh was named the Millard West Female Athlete of the Year in 2024, earning All-Nebraska recognition from the Omaha World-Herald and Super State First Team from the Lincoln Journal Star. She surpassed 1,000 career points during the 2023-24 season and set the Millard West record with 54 blocks as a sophomore.
Neleigh said she choose Creighton because she felt a close personal connection to the staff, loved the world class facilities and it allowed her to remain close to home.
Equally talented twin Norah Gessert is also coming to Creighton from Millard West. Ranked No. 91 in the ESPNW Top-100, Norah was another critical member of the Millard West State Championship team last season as well as the National Championship earned by ETG. Norah averaged nearly 11 points (10.7 ppg), five rebounds (5.3 rpg), two steals (2.0 spg) and better than four assists (4.4 apg) per contest in 2023-24. An All-Nebraska First Team selection by the Omaha World-Herald, Norah is the No. 2 ranked played in Nebraska by Prep Girls Hoops.
"I fell in love with Creighton from the very beginning, the first step on campus I knew it would be home," said Norah Gessert. "Ever since I was a kid, Creighton has been nothing less than a dream school for me, and I can't wait to be a Bluejay!"
Standing 5'10'' from Benilde St. Margaret's HS, McGee continues a long line of recruits to join the Bluejays from Minnesota. She is the No. 3 prospect from the 10,000 Lakes (Prep Girls Hoops), where she averaged 20.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.9 apg and 2.6 steals per game as a sophomore. McGee surpassed the 1,000-point mark during the 2022-23 season, earning 3A All-State Honors. Off the court McGee is a National Honor Society Member and has a 4.04 GPA.
"I choose Creighton because I instantly felt welcomed and at home by the staff and future teammates," said McGee. "In addition, Creighton is a school that is going to help me achieve big things on the court and in the classroom as well."
The top ranked prospect to commit to Creighton, Zediker joins the Bluejays from Dowling Catholic HS in Des Moines, Iowa. Ranked No. 69 in the ESPNW Top-100, Zediker surpasses another Bluejay that came from Dowling Catholic, Audrey Faber, who was ranked No. 72 in 2015 when she committed to Creighton. Selected to compete in the 2022 WNBA All-Star Challeng, Zediker was the 5A Player of the Year in 2023-24. A three-time All-State selection, Zediker also is a three-time Central Iowa Metro League selection and has guided her team to three consecutive state tournament. The 5'11'' point guard is averaging 19 points, five rebounds and four assists per game with a shooting percentage better than 40.0% from long range.
When asked why she choose Creighton, Zediker said "Creighton women's basketball is one of the top programs in the country. Along with strong academics, culture, a great coaching staff, style of play, and staying close to home, Creighton checked off all my boxes. I cannot wait to be a Bluejay!!"
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