Gophers three-star recruit Deja Church switches commitment to Michigan

Three-star Southfield-Lathrup High School (Mich.) guard Deja Church switched her commitment from the Gophers to Michigan on Thursday.

Church, a 5-foot-10 senior guard, had been the second member of Minnesota coach Marlene Stollings' 2017 recruiting class, joining fellow Michigan native Destiny Pitts, a four-star wing from Detroit Country Day High School.

Pitts, who grew up playing basketball with Church, was shocked about her friend's decision.

"I am surprised because since we were little, Church and I have been talking about going to college together," Pitts said in a text, "and to see her back out was disappointing. But nonetheless, I'm happy for Church and will support whatever she does despite my opinion. At the end of the day, she has to do what's best for her. And I just hope Michigan appreciates and recognizes how special D. Church is. Go Gophers!"

At Lathrup, Church earned Class A Player of the Year honors as a junior. She played on the same high school team last season with twins Taiye and Kehinde Bello, who are both Gophers freshmen forwards this year.