Hare decommits to Saint Louis due to coaching change

Kenzie Hare is on the move again.

But this time, it's not by choice.

The Naperville North senior guard decommitted from Saint Louis on Wednesday afternoon due to a coaching change. Hare, the 2021-22 Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area captain, verbally committed to Saint Louis on Dec. 8, 2020 - in the middle of her junior season at Bartlett.

Since then, Hare transferred from Bartlett to Naperville North for her senior season, then elected to decommit once Saint Louis Athletic Director Chris May announced that Lisa Stone was fired on March 18.

Hare admitted reopening her commitment was difficult, mainly because she had a close relationship with Stone, one of the top coaches in SLU program history.

"It was very hard," Hare said. "I have a great relationship with Coach Stone and the staff at SLU. I was very close to (Stone). We talked every week for the last two years."

Hare, who averaged 20 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.0 steals in her senior season, showed a different side to her game playing for the well-balanced Huskies (30-4). After averaging 30 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 4.3 steals in her junior season, Hare adapted to a new style of play on both ends of the court to help lead the Huskies to the DuPage Valley Conference title and a Class 4A regional championship.

Hare, the 2021-22 DVC Player of the Year, admitted it's been a whirlwind since she reopened her recruiting. She concluded her career with 2,494 points, 575 rebounds, 312 assists, 298 steals and 398 3-pointers. Her ability to score points in a variety of ways, including long-range 3-pointers, make her an in-demand recruit for programs looking for a high-scoring guard.

"It's been crazy but also great to see all of the support," Hare said.