A'ja to Announce College Decision on April 16th (merged)

[bellairehusky]

"South Carolina-bound A’Ja Wilson (Hopkins, S.C.) stole the ball, but future Gamecocks teammate Jatarie White (Charlotte, N.C.) missed the shot"

 

[Aluminny69]

Last sentence in article:

"Six-four wing A'ja Wilson of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Hopkins, S.C., who remains undecided with respect to her college plans, competed in the dunk contest, but was unable to score and did not progress to the final round."

 

[EricSD]

OMG, does anyone even care anymore? Is she going to have an hour ESPN show like Lebron did when he decided to play South Beach? She will play wherever she decides to play at.

Well, given the number of posts in this thread, and the number of people who have viewed it, I'd say yes. UCONN is on the verge of a run of domination that has never been seen before. In landing KML, and then Tuck, Stewie, and Jefferson, UCONN has a pair of classes with 4 kids who are legitimately the best at their positions in the nation (not quite for Tuck), and who are in the top 5 in their classes. UCONN already has Nurse and Williams on board. Again, big "if's" with regards to health, but Williams is easily a top 10 kid, and possibly top 5, and Nurse IMHO is one of the top 5 kids in her class as well, even though she's from Canada and ranked right around 10 by everyone besides ESPN.

Landing Wilson would give them 6 kids on the team next year who are legit top 5 in their respective classes. The year after that, KML will be graduated, but IF UCONN lands Samuelson and Durr, that gives them 7 kids top 5, and literally 5 kids who were either 1 or 2 in their classes. That's just sick, and like I said, unprecedented in the possibilities of a true dynasty that already goes back 6 years (our 7th final 4 in a row), and with 3 out of the last 5 NC's (4 out of 6 if they win this year), it would set UCONN up for a run that has simply never been seen.

Even if they don't get Wilson, the rest of the talent is so spread out that while teams like SC, Stanford, Duke, Maryland, UNC, Tennessee, Baylor, Louisville, and a few others could legitimately make final 4 runs, UCONN would be the undisputed favorites in every season for the next 4-5. Now I'm not trying to mess with the mojo, put the cart before the horse, or any other analogy, but what I just said above is a big reason why Wilson is such a big deal.

If she chooses SC, they suddenly become a contender for a final 4. NOT really a contender for a NC. Let's be honest - Maya Moore only won 2 NC's at UCONN and as it turns out, she is probably close to the best all around player in the world right now. If we'd landed Elena, it's likely Maya would have won at least 1 more, but with all the talent she was surrounded by, she only won 2. For SC fans to think they have a legit shot at an actual NC, they need to get past UCONN and ND and no matter how nice SC's run was this year, Wilson does not make them better than UCONN or ND...

 

[EricSD]

It really would be more of a surprise if she chose UCONN. Would love to get her but I've resigned myself to congratulating the Game c o c k s in the next few weeks...

 

[sarals24]

I agree. And look at Baylor...with Griner and Sims, they only won ONE national championship. So it takes more than just one or two great players, it takes a whole team. (Obviously have some superstars helps a little bit).

 

[meyers7]

like the bent post....IAC

In any case

got me on that one ..had to look that one up. what I was trying to say ,was I was misquoted from the Tenn forum for which I do post somewhat.as you know there is a lot of Uconn fans there,Sometimes it's some what of a battle,like a miney war,Now to clear things up a bit.I said it there and said it here that I didn"t think Aja would come to Connecticut. IMO because she doesn"t want to play post and therefore she could warm the bench,Geno way or the road, IMO Tenn would start her. Now I think that didn't go well with the aim. here as this type of post , others would say Conn. fans need to be in the best of light, ok so when I go on Tenn board there is no CLE802A>>>>


I hope this clears this up,, new here,gona take me sometime to know you all

Ummm, not to be a grammar nazi, but after your creative use of capitals, commas, periods, spacing, apostrophes, spelling, etc. to ask if this clears this up? No, not really.

 

[johnnyc]

and Nurse IMHO is one of the top 5 kids in her class as well, even though she's from Canada and ranked right around 10 by everyone besides ESPN.

I think so too. I like the fact that she likes hockey and she enjoys 'annoying' people with her defense. I am really looking forward to her game.

http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-comme...-women-basketball-tournament-tv-canadian-home

 

[PacoSwede]

It really would be more of a surprise if she chose UCONN. Would love to get her but I've resigned myself to congratulating the Game c o c k s in the next few weeks...

Why? Is there evidence of this or are you just making assumptions, or have a 'gut' feeling?

I haven't been following this saga, so have no opinion. However, UConn would seem to be the logical place for her -- assuming the former still is interested -- based on the few comments I've seen from her about what her criteria are. There may be factors she has not mentioned, or perhaps certain factors that carry more weight for her, so ...

 

[John Glass]

I think it has been a done deal to SC for a long time

 

[Go/huskies]

Also from the article

UCLA-bound Mikayla Cowling (Benicia, Calif.) 10 points, four rebounds and two steals

Cowling is going to Cal, it's just a typo.

 

[meyers7]

Yeah. That was a pretty easy answer.

I saw a graphic last night during Mickey D's game (current rosters) with most prep All-Americans
UCONN -8
Next Highest (I think) Notre Dame- 4
Again I ask how great does coaching have to be when you continuously pull the best talent, especially in the Women's game??

Well let's take a look at that.
McD AA's

UCONN - 8 (Dolson, Hartley, KML, Stokes, Banks, Stewart, Jefferson, Tuck)
Rutgers - 4 (Canty, Laney, Copper, Scaife)
Louisville - 2 (Hammond, Smith) (notice no Schimmel)
Tennessee - 6 (Simmons, Burdick, Massengale, Graves, Russell, Reynolds)
Kentucky - 5 (Walker, O'Neill, Thompson, Harper, Epps)
Notre Dame - 5 (McBride, Loyd, Mabrey, Reimer, Allen)
Duke - 9 (Gray, Peters, Jackson, Williams, Jones, Greenwell, Chidom, Henson, Cooper)
Maryland - 3 (Mincy, Howard, Brown) (notice doesn't include Thomas)
UNC - 4 (McDaniel, DeShields, Washington, Mavunga) (Gray probably should have been)
Baylor - 4 (Sims, Johnson, Prince, Small)
Stanford - 4 (Ogwumike, BSamuelson, McCall, Johnson)

Also Per Hoopgurlz, UCONN has had one #1 recruiting class the last 4 years. (which would include Fresh-Seniors now)
2010 - 2013
UCONN - #3, #2, #1, >20
Duke - #1, #4, #7, #2
Tennessee - #14, #1, #5, #3
Notre Dame - #8, #24, #4, #4
Stanford - #4, #6, #23, #6

So I'd say, getting good players sure helps. But to answer your question, yea, coaching matters.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

For A'ja I hope the decision is UConn (though I declared my Ouija Board said USC a while back) for reasons other than basketball. It has to do with stepping out of your cultural comfort zone and taking on a bit of a different cultural world before you are too set in your ways. The basketball stuff should point to UConn too, but for the sake of the whole human being it should be UConn too.

 

[meyers7]

Full article here.

I'd say blunder for now. (not major though). May be true in a couple weeks.

 

[HGN]

Now hold on gentlemen, hold on..........Not so fast. I seem to remember an interview conducted with A'ja on the sideline during the MCDonalds Game when she said that she was looking for a place that she felt comfortable and where she got along well with the coaches. She also stated that it was the little things that she was focusing on and where her skills could be fully developed by coaches so that she could play at the next level (WNBA). And if thats the case , and I have no reason not to believe it is , that speaks loud for UConn. No other coaching staff left in her final four can say they have developed more players for the Next Level than UConn.
Geno has a proven track record. UConn has a proven track record. UT and UNC have new coaches with NO track record. And USC is just getting started in the right direction with a limited success record over the past 6 seasons. So UConn has EVERYTHING A'ja is looking for if her interview is to be believed................And I have no reason to not believe her.

She may have her mind already made up one way or the other but don't discount UConn just yet.

 

[johnnyc]

Well, given the number of posts in this thread, and the number of people who have viewed it, I'd say yes. UCONN is on the verge of a run of domination that has never been seen before. In landing KML, and then Tuck, Stewie, and Jefferson, UCONN has a pair of classes with 4 kids who are legitimately the best at their positions in the nation (not quite for Tuck), and who are in the top 5 in their classes. UCONN already has Nurse and Williams on board. Again, big "if's" with regards to health, but Williams is easily a top 10 kid, and possibly top 5, and Nurse IMHO is one of the top 5 kids in her class as well, even though she's from Canada and ranked right around 10 by everyone besides ESPN.

Landing Wilson would give them 6 kids on the team next year who are legit top 5 in their respective classes. The year after that, KML will be graduated, but IF UCONN lands Samuelson and Durr, that gives them 7 kids top 5, and literally 5 kids who were either 1 or 2 in their classes. That's just sick, and like I said, unprecedented in the possibilities of a true dynasty that already goes back 6 years (our 7th final 4 in a row), and with 3 out of the last 5 NC's (4 out of 6 if they win this year), it would set UCONN up for a run that has simply never been seen.

Even if they don't get Wilson, the rest of the talent is so spread out that while teams like SC, Stanford, Duke, Maryland, UNC, Tennessee, Baylor, Louisville, and a few others could legitimately make final 4 runs, UCONN would be the undisputed favorites in every season for the next 4-5. Now I'm not trying to mess with the mojo, put the cart before the horse, or any other analogy, but what I just said above is a big reason why Wilson is such a big deal.

If she chooses SC, they suddenly become a contender for a final 4. NOT really a contender for a NC. Let's be honest - Maya Moore only won 2 NC's at UCONN and as it turns out, she is probably close to the best all around player in the world right now. If we'd landed Elena, it's likely Maya would have won at least 1 more, but with all the talent she was surrounded by, she only won 2. For SC fans to think they have a legit shot at an actual NC, they need to get past UCONN and ND and no matter how nice SC's run was this year, Wilson does not make them better than UCONN or ND...

This is Tonyc lite!

 

[mrmojack]

I just have the feeling that if she was going to go to SC, I think she would
have committed already. I feel the longer she delayed her decision the better
chance we had of getting her. JMO

 

[DaddyChoc]

Why? Is there evidence of this or are you just making assumptions, or have a 'gut' feeling?

I haven't been following this saga, so have no opinion. However, UConn would seem to be the logical place for her -- assuming the former still is interested -- based on the few comments I've seen from her about what her criteria are. There may be factors she has not mentioned, or perhaps certain factors that carry more weight for her, so ...

No opinion?

 

[doggydaddy]

Ummm, not to be a grammar nazi, but after your creative use of capitals, commas, periods, spacing, apostrophes, spelling, etc. to ask if this clears this up? No, not really.

Look out....according to Hongster, you have bad blood between you and Ruggy.

 

[doggydaddy]

I think it has been a done deal to SC for a long time

I think it would be no surprise if it's South Carolina, but are you saying she has made up her mind and didn't tell the other three coaches just so she can announce on 4/16?

 

[PacoSwede]

No opinion?

All right. More like 'indifferent' -- I'm fine with whatever happens.

 

[semper]

I think she's coming to UCONN.

 

[jsloanjr]

If she watched the USC games last weekend and watches the UCONN games this weekend, she might change her mind or she is sending up smoke signals to confuse everybody but her......Lets wait unti April 16th........

 

[Tonyc]

Well, given the number of posts in this thread, and the number of people who have viewed it, I'd say yes. UCONN is on the verge of a run of domination that has never been seen before. In landing KML, and then Tuck, Stewie, and Jefferson, UCONN has a pair of classes with 4 kids who are legitimately the best at their positions in the nation (not quite for Tuck), and who are in the top 5 in their classes. UCONN already has Nurse and Williams on board. Again, big "if's" with regards to health, but Williams is easily a top 10 kid, and possibly top 5, and Nurse IMHO is one of the top 5 kids in her class as well, even though she's from Canada and ranked right around 10 by everyone besides ESPN.

Landing Wilson would give them 6 kids on the team next year who are legit top 5 in their respective classes. The year after that, KML will be graduated, but IF UCONN lands Samuelson and Durr, that gives them 7 kids top 5, and literally 5 kids who were either 1 or 2 in their classes. That's just sick, and like I said, unprecedented in the possibilities of a true dynasty that already goes back 6 years (our 7th final 4 in a row), and with 3 out of the last 5 NC's (4 out of 6 if they win this year), it would set UCONN up for a run that has simply never been seen.

Even if they don't get Wilson, the rest of the talent is so spread out that while teams like SC, Stanford, Duke, Maryland, UNC, Tennessee, Baylor, Louisville, and a few others could legitimately make final 4 runs, UCONN would be the undisputed favorites in every season for the next 4-5. Now I'm not trying to mess with the mojo, put the cart before the horse, or any other analogy, but what I just said above is a big reason why Wilson is such a big deal.

If she chooses SC, they suddenly become a contender for a final 4. NOT really a contender for a NC. Let's be honest - Maya Moore only won 2 NC's at UCONN and as it turns out, she is probably close to the best all around player in the world right now. If we'd landed Elena, it's likely Maya would have won at least 1 more, but with all the talent she was surrounded by, she only won 2. For SC fans to think they have a legit shot at an actual NC, they need to get past UCONN and ND and no matter how nice SC's run was this year, Wilson does not make them better than UCONN or ND...

Well let me add Geno mentioned at a breakfast a couple of weeks ago that he expects UConn to do very well with the class of 2015. Let me go a step further and there is an AAU team that boast HS freshman and 5 of the starters want to play for UConn. 2 are 6'2+ one is 6'3 and the other two are 5'10. So that carries Uconn out for another 8 years. Now we all know that they can change their mind and so can UConn however its nice to know where we stand.

One thing about UConn. When your the best everybody will tell you your the best, you dont have to tell everybody your the best because they already know your the best. So when decision time comes we will see who is willing to say I want to be a Uconn Husky.

Sarals on your post let me add one thing. It baffles me how you can have Griner and Sims and only win 1 NC? I love KM but I have to question what happened. She had the players, the leaders, the go to players and won one 1 NC.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Well let's take a look at that.
McD AA's

UCONN - 8 (Dolson, Hartley, KML, Stokes, Banks, Stewart, Jefferson, Tuck)
Rutgers - 4 (Canty, Laney, Copper, Scaife)
Louisville - 2 (Hammond, Smith) (notice no Schimmel)
Tennessee - 6 (Simmons, Burdick, Massengale, Graves, Russell, Reynolds)
Kentucky - 5 (Walker, O'Neill, Thompson, Harper, Epps)
Notre Dame - 5 (McBride, Loyd, Mabrey, Reimer, Allen)
Duke - 9 (Gray, Peters, Jackson, Williams, Jones, Greenwell, Chidom, Henson, Cooper)
Maryland - 3 (Mincy, Howard, Brown) (notice doesn't include Thomas)
UNC - 4 (McDaniel, DeShields, Washington, Mavunga) (Gray probably should have been)
Baylor - 4 (Sims, Johnson, Prince, Small)
Stanford - 4 (Ogwumike, BSamuelson, McCall, Johnson)

Also Per Hoopgurlz, UCONN has had one #1 recruiting class the last 4 years. (which would include Fresh-Seniors now)
2010 - 2013
UCONN - #3, #2, #1, >20
Duke - #1, #4, #7, #2
Tennessee - #14, #1, #5, #3
Notre Dame - #8, #24, #4, #4
Stanford - #4, #6, #23, #6

So I'd say, getting good players sure helps. But to answer your question, yea, coaching matters.

Wow @Duke. How haven't they won championships? Either the recruiting rankings are way way off or it's something else.... Hmmm wonder what that something else could be?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

You ask that again why? Are you insinuating Geno isn't a great coach?

If so, while recruiting is a bit of a horse race, you're making a Spectacular Bid for Citation as
Tom Fool of the month. I don't mean to act like a Ruffian, but your insinuation can't be Affirmed.

(Sorry, with Derby Day less than a month away, something came over me .)

See, Biscuit, (oops) -- great coaches generally aren't just some lucky stiffs who happen to pull in the best talent and then sit back and win.

Please allow for the possibility that they get that talent because they're great coaches and the talent knows it.

Please allow for the further possibility that coaching great talent takes talent. Because greatly talented players can keep improving, just as mediocre players can.

Again I ask, how great does coaching have to be to make a mediocre player better?

The challenge with an uber-talented player may be different, but it's just as much a challenge. Big high school stars need plenty of good coaching of a specialized nature to get to the next level and beyond.

The flaws in the games of big high school stars may be more ingrained, because they've been rewarded against lesser competition.

Often those flaws have gone unnoticed by high school coaches who, if they notice them at all, lack the skill and the incentive to address them.

That's where a top level college coach comes in. Think constant improvement, big star, no matter who you are. And here, exactly, is what you need to do, and here's how you can do it.

And by the way, the best players in the world aren't great players in a vacuum. They're good at working as part of a team of similarly great players.

That's different from just being the big star who makes a group of lesser players win a few more games, against lesser competition, than they would have otherwise .

Food for a Round Table discussion before we Forego further debate and Whirlaway to the off-season.

Oops. There I go again.

No one will Eclipse that JS!

 

[Fightin Choke]

Now hold on gentlemen, hold on.....Not so fast. I seem to remember an interview conducted with A'ja on the sideline during the MCDonalds Game when she said that she was looking for a place that she felt comfortable and where she got along well with the coaches. She also stated that it was the little things that she was focusing on and where her skills could be fully developed by coaches so that she could play at the next level (WNBA). And if thats the case , and I have no reason not to believe it is , that speaks loud for UConn. No other coaching staff left in her final four can say they have developed more players for the Next Level than UConn.
Geno has a proven track record. UConn has a proven track record. UT and UNC have new coaches with NO track record. And USC is just getting started in the right direction with a limited success record over the past 6 seasons. So UConn has EVERYTHING A'ja is looking for if her interview is to be believed......And I have no reason to not believe her.

She may have her mind already made up one way or the other but don't discount UConn just yet.

Andrew Calder is an assistant coach who subbed for Sylvia Hatchell this season, but Sylvia is expected back next season. And of course Hatchell is the 2nd winningest coach in WCBB, has won a NC, and is in the WBB Hall of Fame.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Andrew Calder is an assistant coach who subbed for Sylvia Hatchell this season, but Sylvia is expected back next season. And of course Hatchell is the 2nd winningest coach in WCBB, has won a NC, and is in the WBB Hall of Fame.

I hope it would not be impolite to observe that Sylvia has not gotten it done in far more than recent memory or indelicate to note that it remains to be seen whether she will return to full activity in her position.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Andrew Calder is an assistant coach who subbed for Sylvia Hatchell this season, but Sylvia is expected back next season. And of course Hatchell is the 2nd winningest coach in WCBB, has won a NC, and is in the WBB Hall of Fame.

I'm really confused as to why she's in the Hall of Fame. She has won a lot of games but it's been because of the overwhelming talent she's had rather than her ability to coach them and make them better. She's won games but in my mind, has vastly underachieved what another coach would have done with the same material. I guess I'm saying she may be a Hall of Famer as a recruiter but not as a coach. Even then, I think what might have really helped her recruiting efforts is the fact that the school she is coaching is North Carolina which is a prestigious educational institution that has a wonderful campus and relatively mild weather throughout the winter (normally). Unless her coaching technique is run and gun, one on one street basketball, I don't think she does a very good job on the sidelines but that's JMHO!

 

[RUGGY]

Ummm, not to be a grammar nazi, but after your creative use of capitals, commas, periods, spacing, apostrophes, spelling, etc. to ask if this clears this up? No, not really.

good grief try this IMO BAM and BIF you can BIH finally DMY hope this clears this up now cause ya IWIAM love ya LOL

 

[Buzzyboy]

Andrew Calder is an assistant coach who subbed for Sylvia Hatchell this season, but Sylvia is expected back next season. And of course Hatchell is the 2nd winningest coach in WCBB, has won a NC, and is in the WBB Hall of Fame.

The number of wins doesn't speak on the type of coach she really is. I really have very little respect for her abilities on the sidelines. I think with the talent that she's had over the years she has underachieved badly. She's coached at a prestigious university with a lovely campus and tranquil winters and as a result she's had the ability to get some unbelievably talented girls to play for her. As a result of being appreciably more talented than most other teams she's won many games but there are numerous coaches that I feel would have done a lot better and likely won more titles. Her teams are typically poorly disciplined and most often play out of control. A parallel would be General Motors. For many many years GM was selling a massive amount of cars which would suggest that they were making the best cars but Honda and Toyota's entry into the U.S. market gave people a glimpse of what we should expect in a car. That's when people realized G.M. had been just coasting on their reputation. I think that same type thing applies her. Her success was recruiting girls who believed that she would make them better but rarely did she do that. If girls were better leaving than when they had arrived on campus, it was likely due to their own hard work and their natural maturing process, not her coaching and teaching abilities. That is JMHO but I'm confident that there are many women's basketball coaches in America that are better than she is despite her many wins.