A'ja Wilson pre-commitment threads (merged)

[wire chief]

https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/3120395520/h0EC05D4A/

 

[wire chief]

She sounds like a sweetheart, but if she comes to us, she'll need to put her delight at being #1 in a really remote place.

 

[Suebird10fan]

Granted, basketball is a team game, but North Carolina was nowhere last year and they were an Elite 8 team this year. If you do not want to give Ms DeShields the lion's share of the credit, so be it. We can agree to disagree.

I think you sell Mavunga and Gray short.

 

[HoopsFan21]

She sounds like a sweetheart, but if she comes to us, she'll need to put her delight at being #1 in a really remote place.

That and demanding to exclusively play a certain position. Really makes me appreciate what we have in players like Stef who pretty much does everything to Bria who volunteered to go to the bench at the end of last season and KML who has been helping out big time down low getting rebounds and put-backs, to of course Stewie who I swear would serve as water girl if Geno asked her to and she thought it would help the team win more games.

 

[easttexastrash]

I am excited about seeing that team of young talent next year! That is a VERY talented group of young players and the addition of Wilson could be enough to get them to the championship game. I would not be surprised to see them have a similar year to what ND had this year and meet up with UCONN as undefeated teams in the final.

 

[UCGamer]

Hmmm... Do I catch a whiff of Elena D? Domineering dad, initial basketball reluctance...

Is there also mild whiff of Marv Marinovich?

 

[Suebird10fan]

I was 100% with you ett until those last six words. I do not expect nd to miss a beat next year. Awfully tough for the Heels to beat nd twice and avoid an upset vs duke, md etc.

 

[easttexastrash]

I was 100% with you ett until those last six words. I do not expect nd to miss a beat next year. Awfully tough for the Heels to beat nd twice and avoid an upset vs duke, md etc.

I don't expect Turner to have the type of season many are anticipating. I could be wrong, but I think the loss of McBride and Achonwa will be too much for ND to overcome and I don't think they will win the ACC again, and I would give UNC a much great chance of going undefeated than Duke, MD or ND. I am not saying that they will not go undefeated, as that is very difficult to do, but it certainly would not surprise me.

 

[UCONNfan1]

Some Tenn fans are now thinking that they land Wilson AND Tea Cooper (who may announce on the same day as Wilson), who is a top 5 player from 2015. That would certainly change the landscape quite a bit.

 

[VAUConnFan]

I think you sell Mavunga and Gray short.

Basketball, as I have stated often is a team game. I love the team aspects of it and appreciate how players make each other better through teamwork. That said, selling teammates short, especially Ms Deshields' Carolina teammates would be a disservice to their individual contributions to a team effort. Without doubt, they all made each other and, thus, the team better; the exact same can be said of pretty much all very good teams in team sports.

 

[Suebird10fan]

Basketball, as I have stated often is a team game. I love the team aspects of it and appreciate how players make each other better through teamwork. That said, selling teammates short, especially Ms Deshields' Carolina teammates would be a disservice to their individual contributions to a team effort. Without doubt, they all made each other and, thus, the team better; the exact same can be said of pretty much all very good teams in team sports.

But you did say DeShields gets the lion's share of the credit (IYO). I'd say Mavunga and Gray deserve as much credit as DD.

 

[VAUConnFan]

But you did say DeShields gets the lion's share of the credit (IYO). I'd say Mavunga and Gray deserve as much credit as DD.

And I will stand by that. She definitely deserves most of the credit, but certainly not all of it.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Is there also mild whiff of Marv Marinovich?

Well, your posts(2) have their own whiff.

Take a nap, wash up.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Day after tomorrow the whole dynamic pivots 180 degrees.

 

[VAUConnFan]

As some e posted, she shot .476 on 2's. Not killing it.

And she didn't shoot threes just to keep defenses honest.

My calculation ((248 total FGs minus 48 three pointers) divided by (582 total FGA - 172 3 pt attempts) 200/410) came up with Ms DeShields shooting .488 from 2 which may not still qualify as killing it in your eyes, but more than qualifies in mine. Except for, possibly, Shea Ralph who, on healthy knees, was as close to a scoring machine as ever wore a Husky uniform( anyone remember Cazzie Russell), .488 should be within 5 points of any and all the UConn backcourt luminaries.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Ah yes clear as a bell.to add on. "She loves her pearls". Which of course means Earl "The Pearl" Monroe. Who just happens to be from.....you guessed it, Philadelphia. (We know anyone else from that area????) Also Earl "The Pearl" was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets, who became the Washington Bullets, who became the Washington Wizards. And who was known as the "Wizard of Westwood"? That's right, known other than Geno's hero, John Wooden.

It all makes sense now.

Yep, Dawn Staley!

 

[Zeeman007]

OK So they are my odds.

Looks to me like its a dead heat. 33% chance each to SC and NC and Uconn. Why SC? She stays local
With an improving young team and coach. Why NC? Teaming up with DD to return TH to the national stage. Why UCONN? Some drivel about great coaching and winning NC's

Oy yeah.......Tenn at 1%. Why Tenn? Their RPI, their SOS and her lifelong dream to go to the Sweet 16

I know. I know. Who am I to predict? Am the same dummy who thought ESPN silly to invite Simmons to the draft. Boy was I stupid

Z

 

[jdubct]

OK So they are my odds.

Looks to me like its a dead heat. 33% chance each to SC and NC and Uconn. Why SC? She stays local
With an improving young team and coach. Why NC? Teaming up with DD to return TH to the national stage. Why UCONN? Some drivel about great coaching and winning NC's

Oy yeah..Tenn at 1%. Why Tenn? Their RPI, their SOS and her lifelong dream to go to the Sweet 16

I know. I know. Who am I to predict? Am the same dummy who thought ESPN silly to invite Simmons to the draft. Boy was I stupid

Z

On an individual school basis, I agree it's about 1/3rd for the three teams. However, I look at it as a 66% likelihood she'll stay near home and go to one of the two Carolina schools.

 

[wes33]

S C is only school she can go to and it be her team from day one. Plus never being compared to
a past great player.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

1% UConn, 49% S Carolina, 48% N Carolina, 2% Tenn (just cuz it's in Dixie). UConn offers too little of the familiar to the recruit.

 

[HoopsFan21]

1% UConn, 49% S Carolina, 48% N Carolina, 2% Tenn (just cuz it's in Dixie). UConn offers too little of the familiar to the recruit.

Yes there seems to be a common theme with 3 of the 4 schools. I'm sure glad a little (ok a lot) of cold and snow didn't scare off D, Maya, KML, or Moriah.

 

[bschwartz]

Is it true that at the signing ceremony there will be a car and A'ja will sign her commitment on the hood? BTW, where is the signing ceremony? Is it at her HS?

 

[caramel]

Oh dear,another Wilson thread.
Many feel Ms.Wilson is close to a lock to stay close to home either with North Carolina or South Carolina.

I think there is a better than predicted chance she may choose Connecticut.Why?I believe,if it came down to be closer to home,to be near family and friends as the first priority,she probably would have two finalists,not four.

Secondly,she is a very smart girl,and is not the ego mania type,if you listen to those that know her,so staying in the Carolinas just to be a hero-type probably doesn't exist in her thinking of where she will go.

A lot has been said about her going to a national audience to make her announcement,but let's face it,this is a once in a lifetime decision,and the announcement may be more towards excitement than glamour and publicity.Besides,if you were going to stay local for sure,wouldn't your best bet be to announce on local outlets.

I have been wrong many,many times in life,but I can clearly see this isn't cut and dry where she will choose.

She wants a school that will help her achieve what she desires to obtain her goals,and each team offers something to that end.However,I still believe,that what Connecticut has done this year,the investments they are making in education,the friendships she made last summer with our three fine young ladies,will be a strong pull.

I also think that in the system Connecticut runs,she will not be confined to straight post play,but more of a Stewie type of play,which should be reasonable and fair.

I may be wrong again,but,I will not be surprised at all if she announces her choice as Connecticut.

 

[jimazee]

Yes there seems to be a common theme with 3 of the 4 schools. I'm sure glad a little (ok a lot) of cold and snow didn't scare off D, Maya, KML, or Moriah.

It isn't cold or snowy in the gym...

We wish her well regardless of her choice of schools...and look forward to seeing her play.

 

[meyers7]

I may be wrong again,but,I will not be surprised at all if she announces her choice as Connecticut.

It would surprise the hell out of me.

 

[bschwartz]

It would surprise the hell out of me.

If you think she would get in that crowd at her HS in SC and show a UConn hat, well I'd think you are nutz. But what do I know.

Here's the latest article on preparations for tomorrow. LINK

"I'm a Gamecock myself," McKay [PR person] said. "And a lot of us would like to see her stay close."

Glad this will be over in 24 hours.

 

[HoopsFan21]

If you think she would get in that crowd at her HS in SC and show a UConn hat, well I'd think you are nutz. But what do I know.

Here's the latest article on preparations for tomorrow. LINK

"I'm a Gamerooster myself," McKay [PR person] said. "And a lot of us would like to see her stay close."

Glad this will be over in 24 hours.

I bet Geno already knows. I'd guess he's gotten pretty good at reading the tea leaves over the years. I wouldn't mind if she goes elsewhere so we can stop hearing that the only reason UConn wins and wins is because they get all the best players. Wilson isn't a make or break player for UConn.

 

[CL82]

We've gotten must have recruits and lost must have recruits and still the championships keep coming. Given that, it is hard to worry too much about the decision of an 18 year old. I hope we get her, but there's no point in obsessing about it. Tomorrow I will either welcome her aboard or wish her well and move on.

 

[Bill In Georgia]

Ms AW and family have been around for awhile. Pop has been in and about for ten years with the basketball guys…He know what’s up and what’s down.

He also knew at an early age he has a talented gift with his young daughter.

She resisted but he pushed, she argued, he resisted. He finally was able to reveal to her the big picture with role models who has AA careers in college, Multi NCAA Titles, lucrative professional careers, now retired or about, with health, family and a ton of cash in the bank.

The “Key” as one would have it .. is: who can best prepare and teach and drive one for the ultimate picture…

Well let’s look through the families eye and see…

Team A, never won a National, never had a AA, but has a AA coach, but till this year not much going on, talks a good talk, but..?? Will be a local home town hero and very little page I press…very light TV …1 Star

Team B, won one NCAA, a few AA’s, an unfortunate coaching situation, good 2014 recruiting, in a triangle with a bunch of college basketball, so not very much press, or TV …2.5 Stars.

Team C, won 9 NCAA’s, number of AA’s is over the top, all games on National TV, Brand new basketball facility, strongest coaching staff since Wooden @ UCLA, odds on for a three-peat, and a ready made starting position with three proven AA’s. And a future filled with notoriety and Green Stamps”

The answer is simple and Dad will tell the family, which one is best for the picture 10 years from now!!! Pop knows he has been there done that!!!!

 

[HoopsFan21]

Ms AW and family have been around for awhile. Pop has been in and about for ten years with the basketball guys…He know what’s up and what’s down.

He also knew at an early age he has a talented gift with his young daughter.

She resisted but he pushed, she argued, he resisted. He finally was able to reveal to her the big picture with role models who has AA careers in college, Multi NCAA Titles, lucrative professional careers, now retired or about, with health, family and a ton of cash in the bank.

The “Key” as one would have it .. is: who can best prepare and teach and drive one for the ultimate picture…

Well let’s look through the families eye and see…

Team A, never won a National, never had a AA, but has a AA coach, but till this year not much going on, talks a good talk, but..?? Will be a local home town hero and very little page I press…very light TV …1 Star

Team B, won one NCAA, a few AA’s, an unfortunate coaching situation, good 2014 recruiting, in a triangle with a bunch of college basketball, so not very much press, or TV …2.5 Stars.

Team C, won 9 NCAA’s, number of AA’s is over the top, all games on National TV, Brand new basketball facility, strongest coaching staff since Wooden @ UCLA, odds on for a three-peat, and a ready made starting position with three proven AA’s. And a future filled with notoriety and Green Stamps”

The answer is simple and Dad will tell the family, which one is best for the picture 10 years from now!!! Pop knows he has been there done that!!!!

It's not just about basketball. If it were every #1 recruit would be at UConn every year. It's a lot more complicated than that to say the least.