Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) is leaving but Kenny Paul Geno is coming. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Kenny Paul Geno of Booneville Mississippi signed a national  letter of intent to attend the University of Georgia on basketball scholarship. Geno will play next season for the Bulldogs.

At 6’5″ 200 lbs, Geno averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds a game during his senior year at Booneville High School.  During Geno’s three years of varsity play,  Booneville High  compiled an 85 – 16 record, including the 2011 State Championship. He lead Booneville High to the 2013 AAA State Championship, game losing by a point to Velma Jackson. A 2013 Jackson Clarion-Ledger First Team All-State selection, Geno was also named a Clarion-Ledger 2013 Mississippi Dandy Dozen. Geno averaged 13.5 points and 9.7 rebounds as a junior in 2012, when Booneville won 31 of 35 games.

Geno has a reputation as an above the rim player. The Clarion-Ledger describes him as “the high-flying Geno” and called him “the heart and soul of the [Booneville] Blue Devils.”

“We’re very excited to add Kenny to our team,” Mark Fox said.  “He’s a great kid, a great student with high character, and I really like what he brings to the court.  He can shoot it with long range.  He can also play above the rim.  We’re looking forward to having him on campus and being part of our team.”

Fox and his Georgia coaching staff built a strong relationship with Geno and when Kenny Caldwell-Pope chose to leave early for professional basketball, the coaches called Kenny Paul Geno. While no one expects Kenny Paul to be confused for Kenny Caldwell, Georgia and Geno appear to be a good match.

The spring signing period ends May 15. Coach Fox is expected to pursue one more signee this spring but no news is expected on a fourth signee until early May.

Coach Mark Fox will be directing Kenny Paul Geno next season.. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports

Kenny Paul Geno will join Juwan Parker of Tulsa, Oklahoma and J. J. Frazier of Glennville in the Georgia 2013 signing class. The 2013 class is reminiscent of last years class of Charles Mann, Kenny Gaines, and Brandon Morris. Last year, Georgia had hoped to sign a high profile big man.  A quality big man in this years class would certainly make the Bulldog Nation grin.

Time will tell whether Kenny Paul Geno’s signing is a stroke of recruiting luck or genius or just a routine late signee period addition – what do you think now?

Feature photo is copyrighted property of Sonny Kennedy, www.sonnykennedyphotography.com/

Georgia Bulldogs forward jasmine Hassell, Photo by John Reed – USA Today Sports

Hassell was taken in the second round by the Indiana Fever, while James and Armstrong were tabbed in the third round round by Seattle and Atlanta, respectively.

“As a coach, it always makes you feel to good to see players grow and mature,” head coach Andy Landers said. “It makes you feel even better when you see them reach their goals and objectives. J.J., Anne Marie and ‘Jas’ all aspired to play at the next level and now they’ll have that opportunity.”

All told, 16 Georgia players have been taken in the WNBA Draft over the past 13 years. That tally includes eight first-round selections.

Hassell, a 6-2, forward from Lebanon, Tennessee, was named first-team All-SEC by league coaches and second-team All-SEC in balloting of the Associated Press this season. She averaged a team-best 12.7 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game. Hassell also ranked No. 14 in the nation in field goal percentage, connecting on 53.1 percent of her shots from the floor.

“It’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a little kid and now my dream has come true,” Hassell said. “I’ve dreamed about it, but I didn’t know if in a million years if it would come true. It’s just a blessing from God. You’re just sitting there waiting and then all of a sudden your name pops up and you think ‘Is that really my name that just came up?’ I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of the coaching staff here at Georgia and so many people who have helped me since I was a little kid. So many people helped develop and motivate me, and I’m just so very, very thankful for all of them.”

Jasmine James, Photo Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

James, a 5-9, guard from Memphis, Tennessee, averaged 11.0 ppg as a senior and led the Lady Bulldogs in assists for the third consecutive season. She finished her career ranked among UGA’s career leaders in five different statistical categories – No. 18 in points (1,434), No. 7 in assists (433), No. 7 in games started (123), No. 8 in steals (260) and No. 8 in FG attempts (1,428).

“It’s a dream I’ve had ever since I was a little kid,” James said. “You think about it and dream about it when you’re little and now 14-15 years later, you hear your named called. I’m excited about the opportunity to go to training camp. Just to be a part of the WNBA is a great accomplishment and is really special to me.”

Anne Marie Armstrong, Photo Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Armstrong, a 6-3, guard/forward from Norcross, Georgia, was a consensus first-team All-SEC performer as a junior who was slowed for much of her senior campaign by a high ankle sprain. In stats for SEC games during her junior season, Armstrong ranked among the league’s top-10 leaders in nine of 13 categories kept.

“Growing up, I think it’s anyone’s dream who plays basketball to be able to play in college,” Armstrong said. “At the top of those dreams would be the opportunity to play professionally. To be drafted by my hometown team is something I don’t think I could have fathomed. My dreams really are coming true. Just to have a chance to try out and make the team in Atlanta, where I’ve grown up my entire life and most of my family lives, is very exciting.”

James, Hassell and Armstrong became the Lady Bulldogs’ 32nd, 33rd and 34th 1,000-point career scorers. They also became only the second trio of classmates to reach the millennium mark in the history of Georgia Basketball.

Georgia finished the 2012-13 campaign with a 28-7 record overall and a 12-4 mark in SEC play. The Lady Bulldogs ranked No. 10 in the final edition of the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll after advancing to the “Elite Eight” round of the NCAA Tournament.