2020/21 UConn Recruiting

[DaBball]

Angel Reese compilation from last weekend's AAU event:

She does some very unorthodox things, and that can make her tough to guard. Obviously she would come in as more of a project, but if Geno can add polish and she puts in the work, she will be very good. But players such as Coombs haven’t developed much so far, so whether or not she develops is the question.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

She does some very unorthodox things, and that can make her tough to guard. Obviously she would come in as more of a project, but if Geno can add polish and she puts in the work, she will be very good. But players such as Coombs haven’t developed much so far, so whether or not she develops is the question.

I have described her game as awkward and I'm not even sure that really paints a full picture. Some of the things she does look out of control but she tends to get positive results. Will that continue in a more structured team environment? UConn must think so. She's certainly quick and athletic.

 

[Go/huskies]

I have described her game as awkward and I'm not even sure that really paints a full picture. Some of the things she does look out of control but she tends to get positive results. Will that continue in a more structured team environment? UConn must think so. She's certainly quick and athletic.

Charde Houston comes to mind when I think of Reese, a player with a lot of potential, but could definitely be a project.

 

[MTC]

She does some very unorthodox things, and that can make her tough to guard. Obviously she would come in as more of a project, but if Geno can add polish and she puts in the work, she will be very good. But players such as Coombs haven’t developed much so far, so whether or not she develops is the question.

That isn't fair - Angel is a great rebounder and would be an asset as soon as she sees the court. I hope we can bring her to Uconn.

 

[CocoHusky]

That isn't fair - Angel is a great rebounder and would be an asset as soon as she sees the court. I hope we can bring her to Uconn.

I don't think it's unfair because UCONN has a very high standard for all of it's recruits. Reese is a very good rebounder but a very poor finisher who often misses bunnies at the basket. We have also seen her display some "horrible" body language and was completely disengaged during some HS games. None of those things would cut it at UCONN. We are judging her against the UCONN standard and comparing her against some other players in the class. Don't think we are judging her unfairly. It's not all negative this recent club video shows significant improvement in many aspects of her game and her performance at USA basketball was anything but disengaged. She is improving but so are Aliyah Edwards, Lauren Ware, & Delayah Daniels.

 

[Geesworld]

That isn't fair - Angel is a great rebounder and would be an asset as soon as she sees the court. I hope we can bring her to Uconn.

I agree with you. She will be a big asset. Her height equaled with her range is a must get. Only thing I see lacking at this point is her motor. Which you must have to play at UCONN.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

She is improving but so are Aliyah Edwards, Lauren Ware, & Delayah Daniels.

UConn would have to get in on Ware late:

 

[CocoHusky]

UConn would have to get in on Ware late:

If UCONN thinks she is worthwhile it might. UCONN was not in on Muhl until 2 months ago.

 

[Argonaut]

If UCONN thinks she is worthwhile it might. UCONN was not in on Muhl until 2 months ago.

Is her intent to play volleyball AND basketball? Or is she looking at some schools for volleyball and others for basketball?

I’ll admit, I didn’t hear a peep about the volleyball team when I was at UConn.

Would Geno be okay with sharing?

 

[CocoHusky]

Is her intent to play volleyball AND basketball? Or is she looking at some schools for volleyball and others for basketball?
I’ll admit, I didn’t hear a peep about the volleyball team when I was at UConn.
Would Geno be okay with sharing?

I'm assuming "her" is Lauren Ware. Don't think it would be possible for her to do both sports at UCONN because the UCONN WBB is just too demanding physically and academically. River Baldwin heading to FSU was also a big time volleyball prospect who chose basketball. Looks like Ware might have made a similar choice.

 

[DaBball]

I'm assuming "her" is Lauren Ware. Don't think it would be possible for her to do both sports at UCONN because the UCONN WBB is just too demanding physically and academically. River Baldwin heading to FSU was also a big time volleyball prospect who chose basketball. Looks like Ware might have made a similar choice.

According to Ware’s post, those were her top 10 for BOTH basketball and volleyball. There are a few elite volleyball schools like Texas, Florida, Minnesota, etc. in there. I believe she is undecided.

 

[CocoHusky]

According to Ware’s post, those were her top 10 for BOTH basketball and volleyball. There are a few elite volleyball schools like Texas, Florida, Minnesota, etc. in there. I believe she is undecided.

Thanks didn't realize that. Has any player done both at the level she is aiming for?

 

[DaBball]

Thanks didn't realize that. Has any player done both at the level she is aiming for?

Not sure. I know Sara Hamson plays both at BYU. They were ranked very highly (#1, I believe) for the entire volleyball season, then she went on to win the WCC tournament and advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Not P5, but playing at a high level in both. I’m not sure she played in any contests for volleyball this season due to ACL, but is definitely on the team.

They had another top-100 hoops player who chose volleyball. I’m sure she could’ve done both.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Thanks didn't realize that. Has any player done both at the level she is aiming for?

Quite a few years ago Lindsey Yamasaki played both at Stanford. I had to look it up to confirm. She only played vball freshman year, then concentrated on bball. After using up her 4 years of basketball eligibility she played 1 more year of vball.

 

[nwhoopfan]

There are a few elite volleyball schools like Texas, Florida, Minnesota

I think Nebraska has to be considered the best of the bunch for volleyball schools on her list.

 

[DaBball]

I think Nebraska has to be considered the best of the bunch for volleyball schools on her list.

Yes. Forgot about them. Oregon is good too. At first I was surprised about no Oregon State, but then I remembered. Morris, Aquino, Jones, Mitrovic, and Brown!

 

[Argonaut]

I'm assuming "her" is Lauren Ware. Don't think it would be possible for her to do both sports at UCONN because the UCONN WBB is just too demanding physically and academically. River Baldwin heading to FSU was also a big time volleyball prospect who chose basketball. Looks like Ware might have made a similar choice.

Yes. I quoted you and you quoted Sluconn’s post about her. I should have included Ware’s name...

Quite a few years ago Lindsey Yamasaki played both at Stanford. I had to look it up to confirm. She only played vball freshman year, then concentrated on bball. After using up her 4 years of basketball eligibility she played 1 more year of vball.

I didn’t realize a player could have four years of eligibility in each sport.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

This is Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl lifting a girl (I like to call her Yukon). I like to think this is symbolism for when they lift UConn to a title.

 

[BobbyJ]

@Sluconn Husky no love my my girl Emily Bessoir? That would be a "monster" complete class 5 Gusters, 4 Bessoir, 3 Edwards, 2, Muhl, 1 Bueckers.

Have you found any video on Gusters? I haven’t been able to form any kind of opinion on her yet.

 

[BobbyJ]

I have described her game as awkward and I'm not even sure that really paints a full picture. Some of the things she does look out of control but she tends to get positive results. Will that continue in a more structured team environment? UConn must think so. She's certainly quick and athletic.

Good points. Very hard to read from these unstructured games. No way to know if she even knows what a screen and roll or pick and pop is. And a 6-3 shooting from her shoulders with her legs tangled just doesn’t compute.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Have you found any video on Gusters? I haven’t been able to form any kind of opinion on her yet.

Not a lot available, but here's some from US scrimmages and a workout.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

 

[NWHoopFan2]

Quite a few years ago Lindsey Yamasaki played both at Stanford. I had to look it up to confirm. She only played vball freshman year, then concentrated on bball. After using up her 4 years of basketball eligibility she played 1 more year of vball.

Liz Brenner at Oregon was an All American in volleyball and also played basketball and threw the javelin in track.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Liz Brenner at Oregon was an All American in volleyball and also played basketball and threw the javelin in track.

That's right. Amazing that she able to compete at the D1 level in so many sports.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I didn’t realize a player could have four years of eligibility in each sport.

You have 5 years total to use up 4 years of eligibility. If you can manage to squeeze more than 1 sport into that 5 year window, more power to you.

The twin sister of Stanford's Brittany McPhee, Jordan, played basketball at D2 Seattle Pacific. She competed in track at least 1 year at SPU. After playing 4 years of hoops she grad transferred to Gonzaga and participated in 1 year of cross country.

Delle Donne played 1 year of volleyball at Delaware and then starting the next year competed in basketball for 4 years.

I'm not sure how this worked out exactly, maybe there was a redshirt in there somewhere. In a really unusual career path, Demetri Goodson played basketball for 3 years at Gonzaga. Then he transferred to Baylor to play football, was also there 3 years. 2 of the seasons there he only played in 4 games, so maybe he got some kind of waiver. Then on to the NFL.

 

[BobbyJ]

Thanks SLU. I know Auriemma has seen a lot more than this. The shooting's not bad but she needs some work. But if she's a worker and has some "dawg", 6-4 is 6-4.

 

[MilfordHusky]

In terms of volleyball and basketball, Stanford's Kristin Folkl was really, really good.

Kristin Folkl - Wikipedia

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Canadian Biosteel game took place yesterday. I hope to have the video soon.

Video has arrived. Aaliyah Edwards is #15 in white and it won't take long to notice her--like the first possession on each end. Also watch the pregame where the broadcasters note some high praise for her from someone named Kia Nurse.

 

[Charliebball]

Video has arrived. Aaliyah Edwards is #15 in white and it won't take long to notice her--like the first possession on each end. Also watch the pregame where the broadcasters note some high praise for her from someone named Kia Nurse.

OK............. so her favorite player is Kobe who's a huge UConn fan, her greatest Canadian influence is Kia Nurse and she reminds me of Haley Jones...................what's not to like and what's she waiting for?

 

[DEpup]

Could have been. Geno didn't play her enough.

She also struggled with learning post footwork and getting her 3 ball going. I think she would have benefited by a second year and could have been a #1 pick....