2019/20 UConn Recruiting

[Orangutan]

Far more? I don't know if you're talking about now or when Sue Bird was Clark's age but she was and is a tremendous athlete. She is still one of the fastest players with the ball in the league.

“A lot of times what got overlooked was just how incredibly athletic she was,” Auriemma said Friday at Mohegan Sun, where he appeared for an autograph session. “They know her leadership skills, how smart she is as a player and her ability to run a team. But I think they forget just what an incredible athlete she was and is to this day.”

I'm talking about now. I assume there are plenty of guards in the WNBA who could beat her in a footrace or have a better vertical leap. Though, as you point out, being fast with the ball in one's hand is a whole different thing.

For another example on the same point - Vandersloot leads the league in assists and recently had a triple-double. Most nights the opposing starter is more athletic than she is.

 

[meyers7]

very true..that does seem to be the case.....just for the fun of it, take a look and judge for yourself......

Also USA Basketball.

They had Bueckers, Van Lith, Campbell and Reese ahead of her.

Just sayin'. I don't know, I haven't watched them personally. However, just pointing out your assessment and UCONN/USA Basketball's assessment don't seem to jive.

 

[UcMiami]

I do not think it is correct to look at class (Soph vs. Junior) in terms of Uconn offering - it is the process of back and forth between recruit and coaches and the perceived level of interest and usually the actual on campus time that produces offers. Very few recruits have received offers prior to visiting the Uconn campus - as far as I remember Tiff Hayes was the first (maybe K Greene.) And unlike some other schools Uconn doesn't issue offers unless they feel they are in with a real chance.

 

[Dillon77]

Also USA Basketball.

They had Bueckers, Van Lith, Campbell and Reese ahead of her.

Just sayin'. I don't know, I haven't watched them personally. However, just pointing out your assessment and UCONN/USA Basketball's assessment don't seem to jive.

Meyers7: Who is "they" in this instance?
Also, are you referring to Angel Reese, the 6'3"wing/forward?
Thanks.

 

[meyers7]

Meyers7: Who is "they" in this instance?
Also, are you referring to Angel Reese, the 6'3"wing/forward?
Thanks.

USA Basketball.

Angel Reese, the 6-2 Guard (as listed by USA Basketball)

 

[Charliebball]

Also USA Basketball.

They had Bueckers, Van Lith, Campbell and Reese ahead of her.

Just sayin'. I don't know, I haven't watched them personally. However, just pointing out your assessment and UCONN/USA Basketball's assessment don't seem to jive.

I think Clark had an injured hand at the last USA tryouts and I'm pretty sure that's why she didn't make the team this time around.................if you watched last year's international play she was one of if not the best performer on the team............she's the number two ranked player and number one ranked guard on Hoopgurlz, not sure how the other rating services have rated her.........my bottom line.............there are three superb point guards in the 2020 class and I would be thrilled if UConn got any one of them

 

[Charliebball]

Nothing about this video makes me think Clark is on a part with Bueckers or Van Lith. (1) It is a highlight reel whereas we have had a chance to watch Paige and Hailey play complete games. (2) The competition in the compilation is vastly inferior to the competition faced in the FIBA U17 tournament. (3) Caitlin appears to be playing in slow motion compared to Paige and Hailey.

did you watch the USA team with Bueckers and Clark last year? They both played well but I think Clark excelled in every facet of the game...............as Orangutan pointed out she also recently led her team to the EYBL Nike AAU Championship against the best national competition in her age group............definitely not as fluid an athlete as Bueckers or Van Lithe but just as effective in the end and with the kind of competitive disposition that UConn needs

 

[CocoHusky]

I view Clark as equal to Bueckers or Van Lith and given that UConn has offers out to both of them already in an incredibly competitive recruiting environment, I would have thought that Clark would also be given similar consideration to cover all of the best options at the PG position

Let say for the sake of argument that your view is correct=Clark =Bueckers =Van Lith.
As @meyers7 has said UCONN's views it Bueckers =Van Lith> Clark. Not really complicated. Covering you basis is not something UCONN has to do, UCONN believes in the evaluations and as @UcMiami said probably believe that they have a good shot at landing Van Lith and/or Bueckers.

......if UConn doesn't land Horston in 2019 and strikes out with Bueckers and Van Lith which is certainly possible, who is going to be running the team going forward?

Lol.
Are you really suggesting that with Christyn Williams, Megan Walker, Jordyn Horston , and Olivia Nelson Ododa on the roster UCONN can't find someone to run the point? Ok I'll bite, Mikayla Coombs will.

I'll answer my own question with a possible name that has come up lately.....Kateri Poole?

Kateri Poole? I though we had successfully squashed that idea.

 

[Charliebball]

Let say for the sake of argument that your view is correct=Clark =Bueckers =Van Lith.
As @meyers7 has said UCONN's views it Bueckers =Van Lith> Clark. Not really complicated. Covering you basis is not something UCONN has to do, UCONN believes in the evaluations and as @UcMiami said probably believe that they have a good shot at landing Van Lith and/or Bueckers.


Lol.
Are you really suggesting that with Christyn Williams, Megan Walker, Jordyn Horston , and Olivia Nelson Ododa on the roster UCONN can't find someone to run the point? Ok I'll bite, Mikayla Coombs will.


Kateri Poole? I though we had successfully squashed that idea.

in my scenario UConn doesn't land Horston...........CW certainly could run the point but I'm not sure that's her best position on the floor.............Coombs is a mystery both in terms of her health and in terms of her basketball abilities..........I'm rooting for her to get back to playing and playing up to her abilities...........just looking for other quality PG's just in case............Ally Campbell and Poole are two highly ranked and fairly local possibilities.................

 

[Crossover]

did you watch the USA team with Bueckers and Clark last year? They both played well but I think Clark excelled in every facet of the game.....as Orangutan pointed out she also recently led her team to the EYBL Nike AAU Championship against the best national competition in her age group..definitely not as fluid an athlete as Bueckers or Van Lithe but just as effective in the end and with the kind of competitive disposition that UConn needs

I am agnostic on whether Clark is in the same league as Bueckers and Van Lith. My point was simply that the video you posted did not make the case and, if anything, suggested otherwise. I do agree that you don't have to be as fluid as Paige or as rabid as Hailey to be a top notch point guard. Azzi Fudd is a perfect example.

 

[CocoHusky]

in my scenario UConn doesn't land Horston......CW certainly could run the point but I'm not sure that's her best position on the floor...Coombs is a mystery both in terms of her health and in terms of her basketball abilities.....I'm rooting for her to get back to playing and playing up to her abilities......just looking for other quality PG's just in case..Ally Campbell and Poole are two highly ranked and fairly local possibilities.......

So in your scenario UCONN lands Zero recruits in the next two recruiting classes, and none of the existing players improve? That will make things real easy then because there will only be 5 players on the roster. Oh well, UCONN might as well start looking at some JUCO players right now.

 

[Crossover]

I don't know. Buekers looks a little bit quicker from the inbounds to the lane, with a quicker first step. Bueckers also has great body control, but Clark is no slouch. Clark seems to have equally nice court vision, an equally nice handle and a higher release on her shot. Long arms too. Clark seems to make everything look very easy and smooth. I've been a Bueckers fan too long though to jump off that Horse(ton) mid gallop, and it's hard to question Bueckers decision making having seen her in action against tough oponents.

Not to worry. There are plenty of Horston converts without you. But take heart, Bueckers did you proud in the U17 finals. She had roughly a thousand assists, many of them gorgeous, and more rebounds than is legal for a skinny guard. Once Amanda Kimball gets ahold of her she will be all world.

 

[CocoHusky]

I am agnostic on whether Clark is in the same league as Bueckers and Van Lith. My point was simply that the video you posted did not make the case and, if anything, suggested otherwise. I do agree that you don't have to be as fluid as Paige or as rabid as Hailey to be a top notch point guard. Azzi Fudd is a perfect example.

I'm less agnostic and could be convinced that Clark is on the same level as Bueckers and Van Lith not based on the video but based on where the three players were last summer and factoring Clark's injury this summer. But you last point is a very good one. Neither Bueckers nor Van Lith played much PG on this team. Carla's PG rotation this year was Fudd starting (led the team in minutes played) & Cooke almost entirely. Last summer Carla's rotation was Cooke starting and Clark as the backup @PG. Fudd and Clark have demonstrated more ability to play the point as game managers and 3pt shooter while Bueckers & Van Lith have demonstrated ability to play SG.
Doesn't matter much anyway, the same people advocating equality are the same ones that have them all going to ND.

 

[JordyG]

Not to worry. There are plenty of Horston converts without you. But take heart, Bueckers did you proud in the U17 finals. She had roughly a thousand assists, many of them gorgeous, and more rebounds than is legal for a skinny guard. Once Amanda Kimball gets ahold of her she will be all world.

I think you've wildly misunderstood. I was one of the first on this board to rave about Horston, and that from the first time I saw her on the floor at the U17's. I've also been plain about this, so let me restate. I want Jones 1st this year, then Horston and Boston as duel #2's. For me, Buecker's comes before HLV. So as you can see, I love This B kid, but I have 3 before her. None of these however are named Clark.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think you've wildly misunderstood. I was one of the first on this board to rave about Horston, and that from the first time I saw her on the floor at the U17's. I've also been plain about this, so let me restate. I want Jones 1st this year, then Horston and Boston as duel #2's. For me, Buecker's comes before HLV. So as you can see, I love This B kid, but I have 3 before her. None of these however are named Clark.

My preferences for 2019:

1. Boston
1. Jones
1. Horston
1. Amihere
1. Griffin

 

[Sluconn Husky]

There is some dispute on whether or not UConn offered Brunelle. SB says she was offered. One of the UConn beat reporters says she was not. The mysterious BY poster Dolphin implied that the offer was rescinded. I am 100% confident that we will never know for sure.

I don't think there's much dispute in reality. Both the local Virginia media that covers her team and Adamec reported on the offer. She and her family say she had an offer. Pretty certain the UConn beat reporter that said otherwise tried to convey one thing but ended up suggesting another.

 

[victor64]

I don't think there's much dispute in reality. Both the local Virginia media that covers her team and Adamec reported on the offer. She and her family say she had an offer. Pretty certain the UConn beat reporter that said otherwise tried to convey one thing but ended up suggesting another.

Plus, the family insider that provided information on the board from the "Brunelle point of view" indicated that the Huskies offered but stopped communicating. The question that will never definitely get answered is why. The world championship, however, MAY have provided some clues.

 

[JordyG]

My preferences for 2019:

1. Boston
1. Jones
1. Horston
1. Amihere
1. Griffin

1) That's cheating.

1) Griff is already in the bag.

1) I forgot about Amihere.

2 comes after 1.

 

[Charliebball]

So in your scenario UCONN lands Zero recruits in the next two recruiting classes, and none of the existing players improve? That will make things real easy then because there will only be 5 players on the roster. Oh well, UCONN might as well start looking at some JUCO players right now.

I'm only referring to point guards.............as far as we know, Uconn has only offered Horston in 2019 and Bueckers and Van Lith in 2020 at that position............do you think it's possible Bueckers chooses ND or another school or decides to stay home in Minn while Van Lith decides to stay on the West coast? It would be pretty lousy if that happened but not unthinkable................

 

[victor64]

I must have missed this, why didn't Amihere play for Canada in the tournament?

 

[Charliebball]

I must have missed this, why didn't Amihere play for Canada in the tournament?

she's been out for quite awhile with a serious knee injury ( ACL ?)

 

[Crossover]

I think you've wildly misunderstood. I was one of the first on this board to rave about Horston, and that from the first time I saw her on the floor at the U17's. I've also been plain about this, so let me restate. I want Jones 1st this year, then Horston and Boston as duel #2's. For me, Buecker's comes before HLV. So as you can see, I love This B kid, but I have 3 before her. None of these however are named Clark.

Got it!

Fwiw, I think that Jones has been overlooked (or underrated) of late because of the perceived positional need for a classic post, Horston's incredible upside, and the Geno-reinforced belief that WCBB is guard driven. Also, Jones is easily taken for granted because she is so damn smooth. I totally get why she is your #1. And I love the fact that she seems to be having fun on the court.

While it is hard to quarrel with your top three (and I won't/don't), I wonder whether we risk going from overvaluing guard play to undervaluing it. Part of what makes Bueckers, Van Lith, Fudd and perhaps Clark seem less essential than your big 3 is that Jones and Horston are such good and willing distributors. However, we still need folk who can organize the offense, restart it when necessary, and dial from distance.

 

[HopJim]

1) That's cheating.

1) Griff is already in the bag.

1) I forgot about Amihere.

2 comes after 1.

Just get Boston and the rest will work itself out.

 

[oldude]

I don't think there's much dispute in reality. Both the local Virginia media that covers her team and Adamec reported on the offer. She and her family say she had an offer. Pretty certain the UConn beat reporter that said otherwise tried to convey one thing but ended up suggesting another.

Mike Anthony from the Courant wrote on April 15, “Sources familiar with the process indicate that the Huskies did not offer Brunelle a scholarship.”

Seems like a pretty clear statement to me.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Mike Anthony from the Courant wrote on April 15, “Sources familiar with the process indicate that the Huskies did not offer Brunelle a scholarship.”

Seems like a pretty clear statement to me.

We've seen clear but contradictory statements. I wonder is strong interest was misconstrued as an offer. The bottom line is that Sam chose Notre Dame in mid-April. At that time, she did NOT have a UConn offer.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Mike Anthony from the Courant wrote on April 15, “Sources familiar with the process indicate that the Huskies did not offer Brunelle a scholarship.”

Seems like a pretty clear statement to me.

My last line:

Pretty certain the UConn beat reporter that said otherwise tried to convey one thing but ended up suggesting another.

You think Brunelle, her family, Adamec, and the media that covers William Monroe all lied?

 

[oldude]

My last line:

Pretty certain the UConn beat reporter that said otherwise tried to convey one thing but ended up suggesting another.

You think Brunelle, her family, Adamec, and the media that covers Williams Monroe all lied?

I think Milford Husky suggested a plausible scenario, that “strong interest was misconstrued as an offer.” I distinctly remember at that time, a number of BY’ers were stunned that Geno would offer a scholarship to a recruit that hadn’t played a single game as a sophomore.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

They offered Bueckers and Van Lith before their sophomore debuts, and Fudd before her freshmen one.

Even if Brunelle and co somehow didn't know what a scholarship offer was--something I find nearly impossible--why would a reporter with UConn sources like Adamec report the same thing?

 

[DEpup]

1) That's cheating.

1) Griff is already in the bag.

1) I forgot about Amihere.

2 comes after 1.

That's my list too!

 

[oldude]

They offered Bueckers and Van Lith before their sophomore debuts, and Fudd before her freshmen one.

Even if Brunelle and co somehow didn't know what a scholarship offer was--something I find nearly impossible--why would a reporter with UConn sources like Adamec report the same thing?

Perhaps Ademec was merely quoting the VA local papers. Why would a reporter like Anthony report contradictory information from his sources?