Perry High School's gifted 6-foot-2 senior wing Khamil Pierre (Vanderbilt signee) is one of the elite girl's prospects in America - currently rated by ESPN as the #63 overall prospect in America's 2023 Class. Pierre headlines the list of girls signees this week that will sign Division-I scholarships, as the NCAA's Early Signing Period began on Wednesday and will run through to next Wednesday. While she had previously committed to Vanderbilt University, today, in front of a large crowd of students, fans and media at Perry High School, Pierre officially inked a national letter of intent with the program.
Vanderbilt University Head Coach Shea Ralph and her women's staff worked hard to reel in Pierre back to the Southeast. Pierre is considered close to a Top 50 national prospect, and one of the highest recruited and rated prospects in the West. The signing of Pierre is big for the Vandy program.
"I am a big people person, I'm big on great people, and that's exactly what Vanderbilt had to offer," said Pierre.
Pierre has had a terrific high school career already for herself, and she still has a big senior season to play. I was unaware previously, but learned that she has also only played organized basketball since her freshman season. Pierre has developed tremendously each season through some amazing work ethic and hard work. Rarely to you see an athlete develop in such a manner throughout their high school career, and Pierre has loads of upside for the future. Her length of body, skillset and athleticism all suggest that she is just scratching the surface of how good she will become and eventually be. Combine her talent with her work ethic, and she most certainly will have the opportunity to be a WNBA professional in the future.
"My main goal is to go to the league - obviously, play overseas too, but just take it day by day," said Pierre. "I know choosing Vanderbilt is gonna help me get there, so I just going to continue putting in the work."
Last season as a junior, Pierre led her Perry program to a 6A State Championship runner-up finish, and so she will be back this season to make it happen for Perry this time around, and win the 6A State Championship. Last season as a junior, Pierre was terrific - averaging 21 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 3.2 steals per/contest. I look for her to raise these numbers as a senior, as she will be on a mission this season, in her last go around. Pierre will lead a talented and experienced group this high school season, as much of last year's team returns this season for sharp Head Coach Andrew Curtis.
Pierre, like numerous other top-rated girls prospects before her, will ultimately open doors for future Arizona girls prospects, and will be a part of a new girls' movement around the country that is changing women's basketball at all levels, as more and more girls prospects gain maximum exposure for their athletic exploits nationally. Girls basketball around the country is on the rise and so is the future for Khamil Pierre.