2018 Recruiting

[southie]

I said I was hoping.

I know. Honestly, Sedona Prince is a true Center, and that is where she will play in college. Jatarie White will be a senior when Prince arrives on campus.

From what I've read, Charli Collier will play at power forward, and perhaps get some minutes at Center depending on the player combinations. She might already be a better perimeter shooter than Joyner Holmes.

Joyner Holmes and Rellah Boothe, if it were up to them, want to play mostly on the perimeter (as A'ja Wilson did once upon a time). Boothe has the better perimeter shot and 3-point shot, but I see her as a stretch four; she has the physique to bang down low, so will be interesting to see how she is used this season, especially in Joyner's absence through December.

Joyner has great speed for someone her size; a very strong player, she will really need to improve her perimeter shot if she really has thoughts of playing SF in the professional ranks.

Guess I just see each of those 4 players having different skill sets and physiques; they aren't clones of each other, that's for sure.

 

[southie]

Two Questions:
How is Texas out there recruiting without any scholarships?
Have you been reading about what's happening at Louisville lately?

Not really paying too close attention to what is going on at Louisville. Men's hoops recruiting has always been dirty; figured it was never going to change as no one really ever go penalized.

Recruiting is all about planning for the future and projecting needs. Texas is not recruiting "without any scholarships". While it always appeared that we would sign a class of 4 players for 2018, things apparently have changed. We have two redshirt juniors in Khaleann Caron-Goudreau (whose twin sister is a true senior this season) and Jatarie White; I have no inside information, but my gut has been telling me for a while that Khaleann, who has had fair share of injuries at Vanderbilt and then at Texas, might want to move on when her sister does.

I doubt Texas is bringing in Christyn Williams for a visit if there is not an opening for her; Williams wouldn't bother with the visit if that were the case.

 

[Tonyc]

You cant have players who cant handle the ball playing outside unless they are wide open and that doesnt happen often. You can have all the height you want. You can stockpile all the height you want however if you dont have ball handlers with quick feet your gonna have problems. How do teams with less talent beat teams with a bunch of talent? Ballhandlers who can handle the ball to get open and create shots for themselves and their team mates. Texas roster has alot of talented players and we've seen that before from other teams. Talent doesnt win NCs teams do. UConn put on a terrific show last season without a starter in the middle over 6'3 except Butler off the bench.

 

[Dillon77]

Rellah's bravado and all these wise cracks is really overlooking the potential log jam at Texas. Among the 5 committed Texas players ( White, Holmes, Collier, Prince & Boothe) none have the ability to play on the perimeter except possibly Holmes. So even if Texas goes with two post player that means at least 3 quality post playing in a backup role. That didn't work out too well for Baylor, don't think it will work out well for Texas either. @easttexastrash is also suggesting that Queen Egbo 2018 is also leaning towards Texas. Seriously hoping that Prince sees the writing on the wall and reconsiders. Prince would work out well for UCONN.

Not gonna happen.

Coco, Soutie: Been reading this trail and your give-and-takes and I'm wondering: did Ms. Prince/UConn ever have a mutual interest in one another? I just remember Sedona Prince committing so early that I virtually forgot about her on the 2018 recruiting scene. (Although now that the first coffee is kicking in, maybe ND had an interest, too?) She does seem to be all-in.

On the other hand, while Southie stresses their differences and/or complementary skill sets, I still think that's a lot of current and incoming bigs...and still only one court and ball. Will be interesting.

 

[CocoHusky]

Coco, Soutie: Been reading this trail and your give-and-takes and I'm wondering: did Ms. Prince/UConn ever have a mutual interest in one another? I just remember Sedona Prince committing so early that I virtually forgot about her on the 2018 recruiting scene. (Although now that the first coffee is kicking in, maybe ND had an interest, too?) She does seem to be all-in.
On the other hand, while Southie stresses their differences and/or complementary skill sets, I still think that's a lot of current and incoming bigs...and still only one court and ball. Will be interesting.

According to this article from September of 2016;
"Prince called coaches from Notre Dame, Connecticut, Oregon State and TCU to tell them of her decision to be a Longhorn. UConn coach Geno Auriemma paid a visit to Prince's home in Liberty Hill earlier this week."
Texas women's basketball gets verbal from 6-7 Liberty Hill post | HookemPlus.com

 

[SCGamecock]

Rellah's bravado and all these wise cracks is really overlooking the potential log jam at Texas. Among the 5 committed Texas players ( White, Holmes, Collier, Prince & Boothe) none have the ability to play on the perimeter except possibly Holmes. So even if Texas goes with two post player that means at least 3 quality post playing in a backup role. That didn't work out too well for Baylor, don't think it will work out well for Texas either. @easttexastrash is also suggesting that Queen Egbo 2018 is also leaning towards Texas. Seriously hoping that Prince sees the writing on the wall and reconsiders. Prince would work out well for UCONN.

Sedona Prince isn't Breanna Stewart but she can burn you from the perimeter if you're lackadaisical out there. Collier has a better than average shot for a post player as well. That said, I don't think of either as a high post or perimeter player.. Boothe is streaky out there but if she gets hot she can rain threes on you.

But yeah, I don't see any of them playing on the perimeter like a Stewart.. but I can see Boothe or maybe Prince in some pick and roll/pick and pop action from out there..

 

[Dillon77]

According to this article from September of 2016;
"Prince called coaches from Notre Dame, Connecticut, Oregon State and TCU to tell them of her decision to be a Longhorn. UConn coach Geno Auriemma paid a visit to Prince's home in Liberty Hill earlier this week."
Texas women's basketball gets verbal from 6-7 Liberty Hill post | HookemPlus.com

Thanks much. Seems like longer that she (re)committed to Texas, but that may be it -- she committed, de-committed and opened up the search, then re-committed. Hopefully, the understanding and respect is mutual for all concerned.

 

[CocoHusky]

Sedona Prince isn't Breanna Stewart but she can burn you from the perimeter if you're lackadaisical out there. Collier has a better than average shot for a post player as well. That said, I don't think of either as a high post or perimeter player.. Boothe is streaky out there but if she gets hot she can rain threes on you. But yeah, I don't see any of them playing on the perimeter like a Stewart.. but I can see Boothe or maybe Prince in some pick and roll/pick and pop action from out there..

If I am doing the scouting report for playing against Texas, I am giving ALL 5 of those players as many perimeter shots as they can get up.

 

[Txhoopsalot]

If I am doing the scouting report for playing against Texas, I am giving ALL 5 of those players as many perimeter shots as they can get up.

I see Joyner Holmes as the one closest to having the ball-handling, quickness, and agility to play on the wing, perhaps as what you used to be called a small forward. But, she lacks the shooting touch from outside. Maybe she is working on that during her "time-out" this semester. My hopes for Texas against UConn would be higher if Joyner were going to be practicing and playing with the team this fall.

 

[Txhoopsalot]

On Texas not winning championships - I think it is a little early to call that. It takes time to build a program. I think Aston has had good post season success with the talent she has had. People further away from the program are less likely to be aware of or to remember factors that may have slowed progress. It is easy from the outside to say Texas did not develop Imani, for example. Imani is Imani. Even UConn has had a few players who did not develop as expected. Imani had both emotional and physical issues to slow her down. Most summers she was either unable to practice or limited by physical injuries. Do people remember she had a rod put in her leg? Perhaps, most important, Imani has had very positive things to say on how her experience at Texas changed her and her life in a positive way. On the other side of the ledger, when Texas made its first sweet sixteen under Karen, two starters were ranked three-star out of high school. Kelsey Lang was not a top 100 player. Empress Davenport was ranked about number 75.

 

[Txhoopsalot]

On recruiting. Recruiting is way too complicated for me. What do I know? Not much. I do not coach. I do not have children who play or played sports. Maybe Texas has red-shirt juniors who have already told Karen they do not want to use their fifth year. Maybe some players commit with full knowledge that they are unlikely to play much in actual games. In addition, I see how schools such as Baylor, Oklahoma, and even UConn have gotten into perilous situations with smaller rosters. Injuries, late decommitments, and transfers can quickly turn a solid roster into a scarily thin roster.

 

[CocoHusky]

Even UConn has had a few players who did not develop as expected.

Like who?

 

[Txhoopsalot]

Like who?

Charde Houston? If she had gone to another school, what would UConn fans have said about her play? Would some have believed Geno could have changed her?
Kiah Stokes? A game changer on defense, she never became the offensive player Geno wanted or needed.
Geno has taken a flyer on a number of posts over the years who failed to become anything special (in contrast to Dolson.) Perhaps that is part of the reason Geno has moved further and further away from position basketball. He seems to be comfortable with one true point guard and ideally one true post (but he has shown he can and will do without one), and a number of 6 footish versatile players.

 

[swimswam]

Like who?

How about the young lady from California who ironically almost chose Texas Miss Houston.

 

[swimswam]

Charde Houston? If she had gone to another school, what would UConn fans have said about her play? Would some have believed Geno could have changed her?
Kiah Stokes? A game changer on defense, she never became the offensive player Geno wanted or needed.
Geno has taken a flyer on a number of posts over the years who failed to become anything special (in contrast to Dolson.) Perhaps that is part of the reason Geno has moved further and further away from position basketball. He seems to be comfortable with one true point guard and ideally one true post (but he has shown he can and will do without one), and a number of 6 footish versatile players.

You’re good!

 

[swimswam]

On Texas not winning championships - I think it is a little early to call that. It takes time to build a program. I think Aston has had good post season success with the talent she has had. People further away from the program are less likely to be aware of or to remember factors that may have slowed progress. It is easy from the outside to say Texas did not develop Imani, for example. Imani is Imani. Even UConn has had a few players who did not develop as expected. Imani had both emotional and physical issues to slow her down. Most summers she was either unable to practice or limited by physical injuries. Do people remember she had a rod put in her leg? Perhaps, most important, Imani has had very positive things to say on how her experience at Texas changed her and her life in a positive way. On the other side of the ledger, when Texas made its first sweet sixteen under Karen, two starters were ranked three-star out of high school. Kelsey Lang was not a top 100 player. Empress Davenport was ranked about number 75.

Yep, the team that got beat by UCONN in the Elite 8 had two starters that were not highly touted. Celina Rodrigo, Empress Davenport, and Kelsey Lang as a backup.Also keep in mind another player who wasn’t highly touted but ended up having a solid college career was the defensive player of the year in the conference last year Bre Taylor.

 

[CocoHusky]

Charde Houston? If she had gone to another school, what would UConn fans have said about her play? Would some have believed Geno could have changed her?

I am sure "some" UCONN fans would say Geno could have changed her because "some" say Geno is a God and actually believe that.
I would say that if Charde Houston is the low water mark of Geno's coaching success then maybe Geno really is a God.

Kiah Stokes? A game changer on defense, she never became the offensive player Geno wanted or needed.

Huh, a game changer on Defense? So did Kiah Stokes come to UCONN as a defensive "game changer" or was that something she developed into while at UCONN? 3 of the 4 years Kiah was in a UCONN uniform UCONN led the nation in offensive efficiency. I not sure Geno "needed" Kiah to become more offensive. But it was a darn good thing Geno had Kiah to change some games defensively.

Geno has taken a flyer on a number of posts over the years who failed to become anything special (in contrast to Dolson.) Perhaps that is part of the reason Geno has moved further and further away from position basketball. He seems to be comfortable with one true point guard and ideally one true post (but he has shown he can and will do without one), and a number of 6 footish versatile players.

IMO this concept of positionless basketball is waaaay overstated. Geno develops basketball players. If he has a preference it is for versatility or the ability of his player to play more than one position. What separates Geno form perhaps all the other coaches out there is the insistence that his players develop on both sides of the ball. Most other coach would be happy to have Moriah Jeffeson just be a traditional AA PG. Geno got traditional AA PG play from Moriah and also developed her into the NDPOY.

 

[Geew1992]

Question.............I have read that many think Williams is going to U of Texas. But...........if they don't have anymore scholarships to offer, how is that possible?

Do they take an offer away from someone?
Ask someone to redshirt?

 

[CocoHusky]

How about the young lady from California who ironically almost chose Texas Miss Houston.

You’re good!

Not really. Charde was an obvious, often repeated, less than stellar UCONN perceived under achiever. Good would have been pointing out Ann Strother. For where both were ranked in the classes, greatness or definitely better numbers were expected. However, if those are the low water marks of UCONN under achieving then UCONN must be doing alright becuase both players averaged double digits in points over a 4 year career.

 

[swimswam]

Not really. Charde was an obvious, often repeated, less than stellar UCONN perceived under achiever. Good would have been pointing out Ann Strother. For where both were ranked in the classes, greatness or definitely better numbers were expected. However, if those are the low water marks of UCONN under achieving then UCONN must be doing alright becuase both players averaged double digits in points over a 4 year career.

I like that he pointed out Stokes because her and Imani were very similar in college. Really good shot blockers/rim protectors but lacked consistent offensive ability.

 

[swimswam]

I am sure "some" UCONN fans would say Geno could have changed her because "some" say Geno is a God and actually believe that.
I would say that if Charde Houston is the low water mark of Geno's coaching success then maybe Geno really is a God.

Huh, a game changer on Defense? So did Kiah Stokes come to UCONN as a defensive "game changer" or was that something she developed into while at UCONN? 3 of the 4 years Kiah was in a UCONN uniform UCONN led the nation in offensive efficiency. I not sure Geno "needed" Kiah to become more offensive. But it was a darn good thing Geno had Kiah to change some games defensively.

IMO this concept of positionless basketball is waaaay overstated. Geno develops basketball players. If he has a preference it is for versatility or the ability of his player to play more than one position. What separates Geno form perhaps all the other coaches out there is the insistence that his players develop on both sides of the ball. Most other coach would be happy to have Moriah Jeffeson just be a traditional AA PG. Geno got traditional AA PG play from Moriah and also developed her into the NDPOY.

I’ve always viewed it the exact opposite. IMO the difference between Geno and the majority of women’s basketball coaches is on the offensive end. While Pat Summitt always seemed to recruit great athletes, it always seemed like Geno would recruit the player with a little less athletic ability but much more of an offensive skill set. Then he does a great job of running a system offensively that fits that great offensive skill set.

Most women’s basketball coaches come from the old school Pat Summitt focusing more on out working teams with their athleticism by playing great defense and rebounding. Also, I think that Moriah would have been a great defender no matter where she went. But selfishly even though Moriah was obviously a great player in UCONN’S system, I would have loved to have seen her play in a dribble drive offense. Just imagine how much more exciting she would have been if she was playing in the same dribble drive offense as Kelsey Plum and Kelsey Mitchell.

 

[Charliebball]

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Rumored potential UConn target Ezi Magbegor had 12 points and 8 rebounds in 20 minutes during her WNBL debut in Australia.


Eziyoda Magbegor showed maturity beyond her years from the moment she was injected into the contest, handling the physicality with ease ...

....

"[Magbegor] is a phenomenal player, she's great now but she's going to get even better with this experience, playing against women," Goriss said.

"Words don't describe for an 18-year-old coming in and doing what she does. She's aggressive, she's assertive, she makes things happen. I'm just glad she's on our team."


WNBL: Abigail Wehrung inspires Canberra Capitals to victory over Bendigo Spirit

 

[MilfordHusky]

Rumored potential UConn target Ezi Magbegor had 12 points and 8 rebounds in 20 minutes during her WNBL debut in Australia.


Eziyoda Magbegor showed maturity beyond her years from the moment she was injected into the contest, handling the physicality with ease ...

....

"[Magbegor] is a phenomenal player, she's great now but she's going to get even better with this experience, playing against women," Goriss said.

"Words don't describe for an 18-year-old coming in and doing what she does. She's aggressive, she's assertive, she makes things happen. I'm just glad she's on our team."


WNBL: Abigail Wehrung inspires Canberra Capitals to victory over Bendigo Spirit

Thanks! So that’s where Mistie Bass is. She had a baby and is playing in Australia.

 

[eebmg]

I’ve always viewed it the exact opposite. IMO the difference between Geno and the majority of women’s basketball coaches is on the offensive end. While Pat Summitt always seemed to recruit great athletes, it always seemed like Geno would recruit the player with a little less athletic ability but much more of an offensive skill set. Then he does a great job of running a system offensively that fits that great offensive skill set.

Most women’s basketball coaches come from the old school Pat Summitt focusing more on out working teams with their athleticism by playing great defense and rebounding. Also, I think that Moriah would have been a great defender no matter where she went. But selfishly even though Moriah was obviously a great player in UCONN’S system, I would have loved to have seen her play in a dribble drive offense. Just imagine how much more exciting she would have been if she was playing in the same dribble drive offense as Kelsey Plum and Kelsey Mitchell.

For me. it's hard to interpret what Tennessee was doing under Pat as a system. She would simply overwhelm teams with athleticism and effort

Here at UConn, System is crucial and for me can be summed up as "Passing and movement over Isolation Dribbling, Team over Individual". That is the UConn system and I hope it never changes (although it probably will once Geno and CD retire ).

 

[Go/huskies]

Rumored potential UConn target Ezi Magbegor had 12 points and 8 rebounds in 20 minutes during her WNBL debut in Australia.


Eziyoda Magbegor showed maturity beyond her years from the moment she was injected into the contest, handling the physicality with ease ...

....

"[Magbegor] is a phenomenal player, she's great now but she's going to get even better with this experience, playing against women," Goriss said.

"Words don't describe for an 18-year-old coming in and doing what she does. She's aggressive, she's assertive, she makes things happen. I'm just glad she's on our team."


WNBL: Abigail Wehrung inspires Canberra Capitals to victory over Bendigo Spirit

Is the WNBL a pro league? not sure if Ezi would be NCAA eligible.

 

[Charliebball]

Rumored potential UConn target Ezi Magbegor had 12 points and 8 rebounds in 20 minutes during her WNBL debut in Australia.


Eziyoda Magbegor showed maturity beyond her years from the moment she was injected into the contest, handling the physicality with ease ...

....

"[Magbegor] is a phenomenal player, she's great now but she's going to get even better with this experience, playing against women," Goriss said.

"Words don't describe for an 18-year-old coming in and doing what she does. She's aggressive, she's assertive, she makes things happen. I'm just glad she's on our team."


WNBL: Abigail Wehrung inspires Canberra Capitals to victory over Bendigo Spirit

good to know but we have zero concrete evidence that UConn is involved with her in any way..............I wish that one of the recruiting services would find out if she actually has any interest in coming to the USA to play college ball

 

[MilfordHusky]

Ezi is an unpaid amateur in a pro league. My sources say she has retained her amateur status and is weighing a college education and hoops in the U.S.A.

My sources also say that UConn has taken a look. I don’t know the level of involvement. Geno saw her play in Italy this summer.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

good to know but we have zero concrete evidence that UConn is involved with her in any way....I wish that one of the recruiting services would find out if she actually has any interest in coming to the USA to play college ball

Keil Moore is a pretty good source, and if he says look for UConn to get involved with her I pay attention. Is it a lock-down report verifying UConn is after her? No, but it's enough to follow her progress for the time being, imo.

 

[donalddoowop]

Right now my biggest desire is that Uconn can get her to commit and the loss of Collier I believe will be forgotten. Her ceiling may be higher than Collier's and Collier's is very high. (although her ceiling may not be as high as it would have been had she come to Uconn)