Farmington senior Sophie Hart, a 6-4 center, announced Wednesday that she has decided to attend North Carolina State. She selected the Wolfpack women's basketball team from nearly 20 offers, including one from the Gophers.
"They are a post-oriented offense and I really like their coaching staff," Hart said.
She called the decision "super tough. I had a ton of great options."
Hart is the No. 40-ranked prospect in the country by HoopGurlz recruiting and the highest-rated state recruit in the 2021 class.
"Sophie has improved her overall basketball IQ, especially last season," Farmington coach Liz Carpentier said. "She is going to be fun to watch her senior year, and at the next level."
Hart visited Raleigh last fall before helping the Tigers to a program-best 29-2 record. Playing in their first state tournament, Farmington won twice to reach the Class 4A state championship. The Tigers were scheduled to play undefeated Hopkins in the final when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the Minnesota State High School League to cancel the season.
"She has emerged into a great leader and we saw that in the state tournament," Carpentier said.
Hart nearly had a triple-double — 21 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists — in a 78-59 victory over St. Michael-Albertville in the semifinals. "Being able to pass out of strong double teams is a strength of hers," Carpentier said.
Ron Haggstrom
