April 2021 Recruiting Thread

[oldude]

An argument can be made based on a typical season with the conference we are in that a player's value should be measured on about the 8-10 games that matter... The rest are wins even if the players don't give their all....

I’ll buy that. But I think both the Baylor game and the AZ game would most definitely be included in the 8-10 games that matter.

 

[CocoHusky]

An argument can be made based on a typical season with the conference we are in that a player's value should be measured on about the 8-10 games that matter... The rest are wins even if the players don't give their all....

I just don't understand why some are so determine to apply a participation trophy, rec league mentality to UCONN WBB. UCONN WBB is a highly competitive athletic endeavor. At the end of the season, game, or series of games the players get the minutes they have earned. Why is this so hard to comprehend? ALL your favorite players deserve more minutes-there I said it.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

 

[Sluconn Husky]

 

[cbraarj]

Sounds like a good idea, can we also let the coaches decide who they want to bring in and start or not.

Sounds even better.

 

[CocoHusky]

The recent KK video both HS and AUU seems to indicate a lot of ball handling and a little bit of everything you would want form a PG SG or Wing. The issue I'm projecting with her coming to UCONN is that UCONN will be loaded at those position until at least 2023. Is there a full game available because I really interested in evaluating her perimeter defense? Quite honestly she would need to be a superior perimeter defender to have a role in UCONN.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Call me greedy, but I really want K.K. to round out our 2022/2026 class.

 

[eebmg]

Call me greedy, but I really want K.K. to round out our 2022/2026 class.

Paige does well with K. K. 's.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

The recent KK video both HS and AUU seems to indicate a lot of ball handling and a little bit of everything you would want form a PG SG or Wing. The issue I'm projecting with her coming to UCONN is that UCONN will be loaded at those position until at least 2023. Is there a full game available because I really interested in evaluating her perimeter defense? Quite honestly she would need to be a superior perimeter defender to have a role in UCONN.

There are some available. Problem is MND plays mostly zone.

This is from last year's regional semis.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Think I posted this at the time, but it's MND's district final win from February. Bransford had 26 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Profile of UConn POI 2024 PG Zamareya Jones.



In 15 games, Jones scored 20-plus points 10 times (and 28-plus six times) and had six games of eight or more assists. She proved an efficient shooter, too, sinking 50% of her total field goals, 60% of her two-pointers and 38% of her 3-pointers against the deep Eastern Plains 2-A Conference. And she took pride in playing defense.

“Once you stop your opponent from doing what they want to do, then you’ve got them,” Jones said.

The Panthers finished second in their conference behind reigning co-champion Farmville Central and qualified for the NCHSAA 2-A playoffs. Their road game Tuesday at First Flight High School marked the playoff debut for Jones, who was fresh off earning scholarship offer from UNC last week.

North Pitt’s star freshman responded to that new postseason environment with her best game of the year: 45 points on 16-29 shooting (including 10-20 on 3-pointers), 11 assists, eight steals, six rebounds and three blocks.

At 14, she's averaging 23 and has a UNC basketball offer. Meet freshman Zamareya Jones.

North Pitt's Zamareya Jones ended her freshman basketball season with a 45-point game and a UNC basketball offer.

www.courier-tribune.com

 

[HopJim]

Its a shame..I love watching her rebound..

Aubrey uses her quickness to be a great offensive rebounder but when having to box out is only an adequate defensive rebounder. While strong, she is somewhat slight - bigger players like Boston have no issues pushing her out of the way. With the shooters we have this coming year, I don't expect as many misses so expect Aubrey to continue to see less minutes.

 

[oldude]

Unless I missed something, 2022 PG, #6 rated Hoopgurlz KiKi Rice is still on UConn’s radar. I know she is a really strong academic student who is considering a number of schools including Stanford and the Ivies. While I would love to have Bransford at UConn, I would really, really love to have Rice at UConn.

I know that Sidwell Friends has not played a game, so there aren’t any recent stats or highlights of Rice. Does anyone have an update on Rice’s recruiting status?

Since Paige & Azzi are in the area, maybe they can wander over to KiKi’s house to play a little hoops together........

 

[Go/huskies]

The recent KK video both HS and AUU seems to indicate a lot of ball handling and a little bit of everything you would want form a PG SG or Wing. The issue I'm projecting with her coming to UCONN is that UCONN will be loaded at those position until at least 2023. Is there a full game available because I really interested in evaluating her perimeter defense? Quite honestly she would need to be a superior perimeter defender to have a role in UCONN.

Paige, Azzi, Nika, and Caroline, I wouldn’t say UConn is loaded at guard. It’s likely that we will have the best backcourt in the country, but I could still see Bransford getting minutes. KK will probably jump in the rankings soon, she looks like a top 10 player in the 2022 class.

 

[oldhusky]

The recent KK video both HS and AUU seems to indicate a lot of ball handling and a little bit of everything you would want form a PG SG or Wing. The issue I'm projecting with her coming to UCONN is that UCONN will be loaded at those position until at least 2023. Is there a full game available because I really interested in evaluating her perimeter defense? Quite honestly she would need to be a superior perimeter defender to have a role in UCONN.

I think she can be a pretty good defender, but like you see a little bit of everything. With position and skill versatility maybe she could be thought of as sorta a Westbrook replacement, swiss army knife kind of player that as a backup could be used where needed. But obviously most roles are pretty well filled even without her.

 

[bluedevil]

Aubrey uses her quickness to be a great offensive rebounder but when having to box out is only an adequate defensive rebounder. While strong, she is somewhat slight - bigger players like Boston have no issues pushing her out of the way. With the shooters we have this coming year, I don't expect as many misses so expect Aubrey to continue to see less minutes.

I agree with you..its just fun watching her jump..that's really what I should have said...

 

[oldhusky]

Paige, Azzi, Nika, and Caroline, I wouldn’t say UConn is loaded at guard. It’s likely that we will have the best backcourt in the country, but I could still see Bransford getting minutes. KK will probably jump in the rankings soon, she looks like a top 10 player in the 2022 class.

KK has been top ten in the reputable ratings all along. Only the pathetic ESPN ratings, that should never be viewed as an authority, had her much lower. The same people that had not recognised the Patterson decision as of a few days ago, who said Carolyn was 5-10 for at least a year, and considered Aaliyah a number 23 recruit because they couldn't be bothered with trying to accurately rate a foreign recruit. At the very very best, ESPN is the fourth best source for those ratings, and that is only because I don't know a fifth.

 

[CocoHusky]

KK has been top ten in the reputable ratings all along. Only the pathetic ESPN ratings, that should never be viewed as an authority, had her much lower. The same people that had not recognised the Patterson decision as of a few days ago, who said Carolyn was 5-10 for at least a year, and considered Aaliyah a number 23 recruit because they couldn't be bothered with trying to accurately rate a foreign recruit. At the very very best, ESPN is the fourth best source for those ratings, and that is only because I don't know a fifth.

Are you familiar with the ramblings and musing of a Coach Jumper? Just in case you are not among his most famous evaluations: "Kia Nurse was a clear sign of the decline of UCONN WBB"

 

[bluedevil]

So to play Devils Advocate about recruiting in general and in the future. It seems like with the transfer portal evolving as it has recruiting high school players may not be more important to some teams than getting more polished players from the portal. Why spend all the time and money to recruit a player who may never come when you have hundreds of players looking to transfer every season. Just thinking how building a team may change in the next decades..

 

[jdubct]

So to play Devils Advocate about recruiting in general and in the future. It seems like with the transfer portal evolving as it has recruiting high school players may not be more important to some teams than getting more polished players from the portal. Why spend all the time and money to recruit a player who may never come when you have hundreds of players looking to transfer every season. Just thinking how building a team may change in the next decades..

I agree.
It may change even sooner than that. Teams can build and recharge their rosters so much quicker. Both Louisville and Uconn have already added players that can help them next season. No-wait transfers offer athletes a quick way to improve their basketball skills. And that does no even take into account the possibility of one-and-done.

 

[CocoHusky]

So to play Devils Advocate about recruiting in general and in the future. It seems like with the transfer portal evolving as it has recruiting high school players may not be more important to some teams than getting more polished players from the portal. Why spend all the time and money to recruit a player who may never come when you have hundreds of players looking to transfer every season. Just thinking how building a team may change in the next decades..

I think most schools will have to do both- recruit HS and recruit from the portal. My perception might not be correct nor can it be proven but I think most kids that enter into the portal already have a good idea of where they want to go. I also don't think it is that much more money to recruit from the portal vs recruiting from HS.

 

[oldude]

So to play Devils Advocate about recruiting in general and in the future. It seems like with the transfer portal evolving as it has recruiting high school players may not be more important to some teams than getting more polished players from the portal. Why spend all the time and money to recruit a player who may never come when you have hundreds of players looking to transfer every season. Just thinking how building a team may change in the next decades..

While there’s a lot of talented players in the portal that can certainly make a difference for some teams, I don’t see a lot of “game changers.” The very top players are generally staying put. If you look at ESPN’s early top 5 schools for next season, only UConn has brought in a transfer so far. Stanford certainly doesn’t go after transfers. SC & MD both seem to be standing pat. While Baylor hasn’t announced any transfers yet, after losing 4 guards off this year’s roster, I would not be surprised if they bring in 1-2 backcourt transfers.

 

[CocoHusky]

While there’s a lot of talented players in the portal that can certainly make a difference for some teams, I don’t see a lot of “game changers.” The very top players are generally staying put. If you look at ESPN’s early top 5 schools for next season, only UConn has brought in a transfer so far. Stanford certainly doesn’t go after transfers. SC & MD both seem to be standing pat. While Baylor hasn’t announced any transfers yet, after losing 4 guards off this year’s roster, I would not be surprised if they bring in 1-2 backcourt transfers.

Top teams are usually the top teams because they are already loaded with no room to take incoming transfer. Don't think UCONN considers DJ a "game changer" just an opportunity to upgrade. SC and MD would jump in with both feet for an opportunity at DJ. Natalie Butler was also supposed to be a "game changer" per Geno.

 

[oldude]

Top teams are usually the top teams because they are already loaded with no room to take incoming transfer. Don't think UCONN considers DJ a "game changer" just an opportunity to upgrade. SC and MD would jump in with both feet for an opportunity at DJ. Natalie Butler was also supposed to be a "game changer" per Geno.

No doubt. SC has Littleton, MD has both Collins and Bibby and UConn has Evina and now Dorka, all of whom are key players on potential national championship runs next season. But Bluedevil’s “Devils Advocate” post suggested that the portal may ultimately be more important than recruiting HS players.

As you point out in your subsequent post, most schools will have to do both, and imo transfers will never be more important than doing all the legwork of following HS recruits for years and securing that small handful of top recruits that can lead a team to a championship.

Even with transfers becoming an ever more important part of WBB, this year and, to some extent, the next 3 are special cases because everyone was given an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA across the board.

 

[HuskyNan]

Kiah Stokes averaged 4.5 points as a Junior and a Senior. Stokes offered almost nothing offensively other than rebounding and put backs. She was a key contributor due to her defense. Faris averaged 6.7 points, shooting 43% as a Junior playing 29 minutes a game. Griffin averages 6.2 points on 52% shooting.

Obviously we're way oversimplifying here but Griffin can absolutely be a high level contributor as a defensive and rebounding specialist if you want to call her that. It's baffling to me so many on this board are extoling the virtues of Muhl's intangible offensive contributions but thinks Griffin can't play basketball. Griffin is a much more dynamic defender for multiple positions and is actually a better fit with 3 offensive stars in Azzi, Paige and Williams than Muhl would be playing along side them.

The ball never got stuck with Kiah. She knew where and when to pass the ball. Aubrey gets stuck out of position a lot; when she gets the ball she usually makes a mad dash to the basket, making 52% of her shots. In Kiah’s sophomore year, she didn’t take many shots, true, but she made 66% of them when she did. Kiah’s greatest contribution was holding down opponents’ scoring in the paint, reducing them to jump shooters but Aubrey doesn’t really scare anyone. I used to laugh watching opponents do a U turn when they saw Kiah in front of them. She was on the conference All-Freshman team for her dominance in the paint.

I can’t think of any universe where a comparison of Kelly Faris to Aubrey Griffin is applicable. Comparing sophomore seasons:

Points. Aubrey 6.2, Kelly 7.8
FG% . AG 52%, KF 42.5%
3 pt FG%. AG 15%, KF 31%
Rebounds. AG 4.8, KF 6.7
Assists. AG 1.1, KF 3.7
Steals. AG .8, KF 1.8
Blocks. AG .8, KF .6

Most importantly, Kelly was a facilitator in the offense. She never hesitated, never stood with the ball trying to figure out what to do next. The offense flowed with her on the court.

I love Aubrey’s effort and some of the incredible defensive plays she’s had but the offense comes to a screeching halt with her on the court. Unless she can score on a fast break, I dont’ have a lot of confidence in her ability to get the ball in the basket. That HAS to change or teams will double Paige.