2020/21 UConn Recruiting

[CocoHusky]

Last try. What is it that you can’t get your mind around that solid choices close to home abound in 2019 compared to 1994 and 2000. Rebecca Lobo in fact picked close to home even back then. I don’t know about you, but my wife and I were social friends of Rebecca’s parents. I have a good idea of their considerations. Stewie is a Northeast kid. Tina Charles is a northeast kid.

I disagree and would argue the opposite.

None of those prove at all anyone other than you retroactively thought it was a waste of time. Your great proof(not proof), is essentilly anti UConn talk from other people/schools. That happens recruiting every kid. Scarolina throws anti TN stuff if they are recruiting someone, etc.... Geno making a classic Geno sarcastic comment ....LOL. Yes, and I bet Geno also said look at who has come out of UConn? I know how to develop talent. Duke sit in a zone and play no defense(something he has said publicly regarding Azura adjusting to UConn). As expected it was a laughable attempt. The only known long shot which is documented is Lobo b/c UConn had crap facilities, hadn't really done anything and Geno/Chris were not well known upstarts. 1 out of 5..that's 20%. That's a F, unless you're at a SEC school, there it's a B

 

[cohenzone]

I disagree and would argue the opposite.

Yup you argue the opposite except the facts are against you. Ta Ta.

 

[CocoHusky]

Coombs has played good defense, made steals, gotten rebounds and shown excellent quickness and athleticism and given the starters a rest without hurting the team. That is impacting to me. She does not need to score. UConn has four other players on the floor who can score. Just as KLS was not expected to rebound when she first got to UConn because there were other rebounders, Coombs' job is mainly to play defense and she has done that as well as the starters.

The overall impact to the other 4 starters is a negative one when Mikayla is in the game. @ OneTrickPony
captures it best with this sentence in bold below, copied from a different thread.

Crystal has a huge workload when we face a perimeter scorer like Dillard. She was tired and she started reaching instead of moving. It would be perfect if Mikayla could spell her. I see it as a trade off, though. Crystal runs the offense and keeps the floor spaced so that Pheesa can perform her magic inside. With double teams coming off Mikayla, our inside game gets bogged down. If we were hitting well from the perimeter, Geno may have risked it, but Meghan was off and Lou and Crystal got worn down by the half.
The great thing about Meghan’s game was she kept shooting and working, so Buffalo kept respecting her. That allowed us room to maneuver in the paint.

 

[BobbyJ]

The list is definitely wider than usual because we are only 2 weeks away from the start of official visits.
Getting none of them is and has always been a possibility. You point about it being wider in terms of depth (50-100) is correct. Every year there will be kids that perform above their HS rank. Megan Gustafson is just the latest. In 2015 UCONN offered two post players Kalani Brown and Batouly Camara. Batouly was ranked #53 in the class. UCONN is evaluating players in the range you are suggesting and some are actually offered. Let's be practical though, the UCONN program is not going to be sustained by players ranked in the range you are suggesting. I can't think of a single player in the range who has made a significant contribution to the UCONN program=starter. Now let's flip that around to the recruits perspective. Why would a recruit ranked in that range pick UCONN when they can go to Kentucky or Iowa play as a freshmen, average 35 minutes per game playing instead of praying for garbage time to get in 5 mins per game?

Your last sentence illustrates my belief that family and friends are more involved than ever in the recruiting process, especially for this level of talent. The reasoning would be, why go all the way to UConn to average 5 minutes of mop up time for your career when if you stay somewhat local you'll get plenty of PT plus we can get to most of your games. And they're not really wrong. That's why IMO UConn has to keep pushing for those top kids that really want and have the ability to get the national attention and competition.

 

[CocoHusky]

I agree with everything you said but here is the thing - against Buffalo we had the height advantage, the home court advantage, the better coach advantage, and higher ranked recruits advantage and the game was competitive. So just maybe we could figure out how Buffalo does so well with lower ranked players.

We run into this sentiment every year it seems like at tournament time when a mid major play UCONN closer than expected. A few years ago it was BYU, then it was Dayton, then it was Duquesne, then it was UCLA, then it was Quinnipiac, and this year it is Buffalo. I'm all for it-learn from what these programs are doing in recruiting and everywhere else. At the end of the day I think you'll find those coach have found a way to maximize the talent on the roster-Just like our coach does EVERY YEAR.

 

[Argonaut]

To add to the conversation about the geographical distribution of recruits who sign with UConn (and to supplement the fact I don't want to start a new work project before lunch)...

Looking back ten years (to the HS class of 2008), Geno has recruited 31 players.

• 29% from New England, NY, or PA
• 16% from NY (and this is the largest percentage from a single state)

After that, things are best looked at by region:

• 19% from the Midwest (IL, IN, OH, IA, MO)
• 32% from the South (FL, GA, VA, TN, AK, TX)
• 16% from the West (AZ, NV, CA)
• And then we have Kia Nurse representing the entire foreign delegation.
• 77% (Kia included) have come to UConn from east of the Mississippi River

Not trying to make any particular point, just thought it was an interesting breakdown...

 

[CocoHusky]

To add to the conversation about the geographical distribution of recruits who sign with UConn (and to supplement the fact I don't want to start a new work project before lunch)...

Looking back ten years (to the HS class of 2008), Geno has recruited 31 players.

• 29% from New England, NY, or PA
• 16% from NY (and this is the largest percentage from a single state)

After that, things are best looked at by region:

• 19% from the Midwest (IL, IN, OH, IA, MO)
• 32% from the South (FL, GA, VA, TN, AK, TX)
• 16% from the West (AZ, NV, CA)
• And then we have Kia Nurse representing the entire foreign delegation.
• 77% (Kia included) have come to UConn from east of the Mississippi River

Not trying to make any particular point, just thought it was an interesting breakdown...

The goal post have been shifted. If I understand correctly the argument is not about where the recruits are coming from but an assumption that says more are staying home because they have better programs (more choices) available to them at home.
Just don't think you can generate enough data to prove it because other than UCONN, ND, Baylor and Stanford the mix of top teams today is very different from even a decade ago. South Carolina, Oregon and Mississippi State were irrelevant in WCBB a decade ago. How do you account for TN which was winning championships a little more than a decade ago and is still pulling in top recruits from the NW but playing garbage basketball. JPM has made Duke a former perennial contender into an irrelevant. Purdue won a championship and lost in a championship game not too long ago. OK? The Big East wasn't just was UCONN and ND, come tournament time there was usually one or two other BE teams to contend with. The data will probably tell you can do it either way. You can build a program from scratch as dawn has at South Carolina most from home grow kids. You can build a program like Oregon with kids from Cali, Alaska, Germany and Kentucky. Still think the UCONN model of global recruiting is the most sustainable.

 

[Charliebball]

I hope UConn is there too;

 

[MTC]

Don't think that's a fair critique then. Top 75-100 kids aren't going ANYWHERE to play garbage time. 10-30 kids aren't going ANYWHERE where they have to sit- have you seen the transfer rates lately. Why pin that on Geno?

Top 10-30 kids do go to colleges where they have to sit. (ex. Baylor,ND,South Carolina, and Stanford). Hopefully they will transfer.

 

[Sven23]

Q: Does Geno wait to announce all his commitments at one time usually?
A: Geno is required to wait until a NLI is signed before he can comment on any specific recruit. At the end of the recruiting period UCONN WBB generally issues a statement saying who the members of each recruiting class are (is).
Q: How many of our recruits actually have offers?
A: For the class of 2020 UCONN has 3 offers that have been reported in the press-NOT REPORTED BY UCONN. Van Lith, Gusters, & Brueckers. There is an unconfirmed report that Reese has a UCONN offer.

I would put Muhl in the unconfirmed offer category. Home visits guarantee an offer. Muhl already narrowed her list to 5 and Geno flew 4300 miles.

 

[Sven23]

I hope UConn is there too;

Will Muhl be able to visit schools? I believe right after the tourney till mid April is a mandatory dead period. Since USF is right there I bet she at least goes to campus even if USF can't have contact.

 

[BleedBlue72]

All the continued talk about Sam Brunelle. Maybe she was a UCONN lean at the time and once she visited Notre Dame she decided it was a better fit for her. It happens. And if Geno never offered such a high profile player he must of saw something in her we didn’t see and thought she wouldn’t be a fit for UCONN. We will never know. I would find it hard to believe the issues with depth he would pass on a number 1 player at the time .. a 6’2 player on the wing that can shoot and play inside if needed .. to me makes absolutely baffeled if he passed on Sam Brunelle unless he was so confident he was going to land Jones and Boston. Either way we could have used Sam big time next year if indeed Geno did offer her. So I believe she chose ND as her second choice to UCONN but what do I know.

 

[Charliebball]

All the continued talk about Sam Brunelle. Maybe she was a UCONN lean at the time and once she visited Notre Dame she decided it was a better fit for her. It happens. And if Geno never offered such a high profile player he must of saw something in her we didn’t see and thought she wouldn’t be a fit for UCONN. We will never know. I would find it hard to believe the issues with depth he would pass on a number 1 player at the time .. a 6’2 player on the wing that can shoot and play inside if needed .. to me makes absolutely baffeled if he passed on Sam Brunelle unless he was so confident he was going to land Jones and Boston. Either way we could have used Sam big time next year if indeed Geno did offer her. So I believe she chose ND as her second choice to UCONN but what do I know.

according to the experts here, she just wasn't good enough for Geno..................

 

[Sven23]

according to the experts here, she just wasn't good enough for Geno...

UConn stopped recruiting Brunelle. No contact after December.

 

[CocoHusky]

I would put Muhl in the unconfirmed offer category. Home visits guarantee an offer. Muhl already narrowed her list to 5 and Geno flew 4300 miles.

I agree with your 1st and last sentence. The middle sentence is demonstrable false. In the last couple of years Geno has had in home visits with Sharika Austin, Tori McCoy and Ladazhia Williams without extending an offer.

 

[HuskyNan]

If people want to bicker, take it off the board and stop cluttering up threads with petty arguments.

And, for new posters, don’t call people trolls. You’re the new guy. Learn who’s who

 

[MTC]

I think a victory over UCLA would give our west coast recruiting a big boost at just the right time. Hoping Katie Lou has a big game.

 

[HopJim]

I think a victory over UCLA would give our west coast recruiting a big boost at just the right time. Hoping Katie Lou has a big game.

Lou is unique in that her parents can travel to many games. Tough bet for Geno to focus on West Coast.

 

[CocoHusky]

I think a victory over UCLA would give our west coast recruiting a big boost at just the right time. Hoping Katie Lou has a big game.

Except there is only 1 (Brooke Demetre) potential UCONN recruit on the West Coast in the next couple of class.

 

[MilfordHusky]

We got Diana, Charde, Lauren, Kaleena, and Lou from So. Cal.

 

[CocoHusky]

We got Diana, Charde, Lauren, Kaleena, and Lou from So. Cal.

Yea but we lost Jayne Appel and Haley Jones. Prospects just aren't in Cali in the next couple of classes, things will turn around.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Yea but we lost Jayne Appel and Haley Jones. Prospects just aren't in Cali in the next couple of classes, things will turn around.

Yeah, Appel wanted to say closer to home. Haley was a special case. She plays 15 miles from Maples and went to camp at Stanford as a kid. It's very hard to get Stanford-qualified kids out of the Bay Area. Getting kids out of So. Cal. is a different matter.

I'll trade Jayne and Haley for Diana, Kaleena, and Lou, even though I love Haley.

 

[HopJim]

We got Diana, Charde, Lauren, Kaleena, and Lou from So. Cal.

I think your note makes my point. Over what time period did we sign these 5? Past 21 years? Not saying to ignore CA but time spent there is time not invested in other geogs where the return could be as great and more predictable.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think your note makes my point. Over what time period did we sign these 5? Past 21 years? Not saying to ignore CA but time spent there is time not invested in other geogs where the return could be as great and more predictable.

Well, we now play at SMU and Houston most years. Texas likely has the top talent pool, though kids there tend to stay within state.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Amari DeBerry made a local paper's All First Team:

*

Amari DeBerry – FIRST TEAM


Williamsville South Lady Billies


It’s hard to undersell the impact that 6-foot-5 sophomore center Amari DeBerry has on the court for Williamsville South – even if she doesn’t play in the second half of most contests. Last year’s All-Bee MVP averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and four blocks a game despite playing far less than a full game in virtually all of South’s contests this winter. The four-year varsity squad member, who was also a First Team All-Bee all-star as an eighth grader, scored just under 400 points this winter.


And on top of spending a good chunk of most games on the bench so as to not let outcomes get out of hand, DeBerry was also injured at various points throughout the season. So as dominant as DeBerry was, the team co-captain could’ve had even more impressive numbers had she been fully healthy all year – or was worried about her personal output.

“Amari doesn’t get caught up in the numbers, and she does all she can to not let it bother her that teams focus so much of their defensive attention on her,” South coach Kristen Dolan said. “The amazing thing is, as extremely talented as she is, she’s still learning and continuing to develop her skills. She’s just a hard-working and dedicated team player who loves her teammates. She’s so happy for them when they have success.”


As one would imagine, DeBerry cuts an imposing presence at the defensive end of the floor. The high-level AAU player – DeBerry is in her second season with the Philadelphia Belles’ 17U Elite Youth Basketball League Nike team – alters nearly as many shots as she actually blocks if anyone dares challenge her in the paint.


“She just blocks and alters so many shots in the paint,” Dolan said. “She’s working hard out there, from boxing out and rebounding, to stepping into passing lanes, to blocking shots and then running the floor. That’s one of her strengths, getting to the rim. She’s actually been working a lot on her guard skills both during the season and in the off-season; she’s great at finding her open teammates and getting them the ball, and some games this season she might have actually led the team in assists because of that. All I know is, I’m just really lucky to be the one to coach her. It’s a joy for me to watch her continue to develop.”



2019 Girls All-Bee Team | Lancaster Depew Bee

 

[Charliebball]

Amari DeBerry made a local paper's All First Team:

*

Amari DeBerry – FIRST TEAM


Williamsville South Lady Billies


It’s hard to undersell the impact that 6-foot-5 sophomore center Amari DeBerry has on the court for Williamsville South – even if she doesn’t play in the second half of most contests. Last year’s All-Bee MVP averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and four blocks a game despite playing far less than a full game in virtually all of South’s contests this winter. The four-year varsity squad member, who was also a First Team All-Bee all-star as an eighth grader, scored just under 400 points this winter.


And on top of spending a good chunk of most games on the bench so as to not let outcomes get out of hand, DeBerry was also injured at various points throughout the season. So as dominant as DeBerry was, the team co-captain could’ve had even more impressive numbers had she been fully healthy all year – or was worried about her personal output.

“Amari doesn’t get caught up in the numbers, and she does all she can to not let it bother her that teams focus so much of their defensive attention on her,” South coach Kristen Dolan said. “The amazing thing is, as extremely talented as she is, she’s still learning and continuing to develop her skills. She’s just a hard-working and dedicated team player who loves her teammates. She’s so happy for them when they have success.”


As one would imagine, DeBerry cuts an imposing presence at the defensive end of the floor. The high-level AAU player – DeBerry is in her second season with the Philadelphia Belles’ 17U Elite Youth Basketball League Nike team – alters nearly as many shots as she actually blocks if anyone dares challenge her in the paint.


“She just blocks and alters so many shots in the paint,” Dolan said. “She’s working hard out there, from boxing out and rebounding, to stepping into passing lanes, to blocking shots and then running the floor. That’s one of her strengths, getting to the rim. She’s actually been working a lot on her guard skills both during the season and in the off-season; she’s great at finding her open teammates and getting them the ball, and some games this season she might have actually led the team in assists because of that. All I know is, I’m just really lucky to be the one to coach her. It’s a joy for me to watch her continue to develop.”



2019 Girls All-Bee Team | Lancaster Depew Bee

I assume UConn will continue do everything possible to secure her commitment...................she is going to be a special player

 

[meyers7]

Except there is only 1 (Brooke Demetre) potential UCONN recruit on the West Coast in the next couple of class.

Always thought Washington was on the west coast.

 

[CocoHusky]

Always thought Washington was on the west coast.

The city of Cashmere is located in the geographic center of Washington State on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains. That would be like saying Swin Cash is from the east coast.

 

[MTC]

The city of Cashmere is located in the geographic center of Washington State on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains. That would be like saying Swin Cash is from the east coast.

The city of Cashmere is located in the geographic center of Washington State on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains. That would be like saying Swin Cash is from the east coast.

Really?

 

[meyers7]

The city of Cashmere is located in the geographic center of Washington State on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains. That would be like saying Swin Cash is from the east coast.

Well Cashmere is about half the distance to the coast as Pittsburgh is. And most people would consider PA East Coast.

Cashmere isn't in the Great Plains.