Ayana Patterson 2022 #3 Ranked Player UConn in Final 5

[CocoHusky]

Just a note from long ago: UCLA came in second in the Dee chase.

Yea I guess I was not successful in trying to bash UCLA in a low key way. I just don't get it, in much the same way I didn't get why TN was showing up on kids top 5 or whatever when Holly was the coach. Cori has had a number 1 recruiting class and has failed to even make a FF. I. can't hardly think of a former UCLA player making an impact in WNBA. Must be the weather because it can't be the basketball for HS players that have the talent & say they aspire to be in the W.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Midwest Hoops Spotlights on Patterson:



The junior recently won a couple honors including IBCA Underclass Supreme 15 and ICGSA first team all-state. Patterson is a highly athletic and lengthy forward with a great deal of skill to combine with her 6’3” height. She is an explosive player that can really score around the basket as well as from the mid-range. On the opposite end, she is a tough and very versatile defender with her agility and length.


Patterson will be making her commitment later this month on the 20th at 5:30pm. Whoever lands her will be getting possibly the best 2022 player in the nation.

Ayanna Patterson Down To Five

Ayanna Patterson, our top ranked player in the 2022 class, has trimmed her list of future schools down to five. The five schools to make the cut were Indiana, Louisville, Notre Dame, UConn, and UCLA. Patterson is a 6’3” forward from Homestead High School (IN) and plays with the Ohio United program.

www.midwesthoopsspotlight.com

 

[dtbtbtb]

If she chooses anyone aside than ND or Indiana it will be a major upset. I would think that if she would have visited UConn and met the team, our chances would have been much higher.

 

[Dogstar]

Did you do this on purpose? Be honest.

😂😂😂

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Patterson has not yet gotten to visit any of the schools that have given her offers. However, she has been able to learn about some of those schools by having Zoom visits with them.


“I enjoyed seeing the campuses [and] their culture. And they explained a little bit about what they do in their program,” Patterson said. “They talked about schooling and everything. So it was just a great experience, not being able to be there, but being able to see everything.”

Ayanna Patterson Draws Attention from D-1 Programs - Summit City Sports

Homestead’s Ayanna Patterson has become a highly sought-after girls’ high school basketball star. Her most recent offer was from Arizona on Tuesday, June 2nd. Before that she received offers from schools such as Mississippi State, UCLA, Notre Dame, Syracuse and others. “It’s a great feeling just...

summitcitysports.com

 

[UcMiami]

A little strange to me that HS juniors would commit during this spring if they are not already strongly connected to a specific school. At some point during this spring/summer the dead period will end and recruits will be able to visit schools and get a first hand feel for them. Their really isn't any deadline on commitments until the early signing window.

I guess there may be a few schools that are so tight to maximum scholarships that it would make sense, bust most top ten players are going to be dealing with that I think, and again that would imply a very strong lean for the recruit.

 

[Carnac]

Just a note from long ago: UCLA came in second in the Dee chase.

UCLA doesn’t have the appeal that other top 10 programs have. Cori Close has not won anything, and the school is not necessarily Uber supportive of wcbb. They seldom rate a mention on the 10:00 news. Too many other college and professional teams playing at the same time.

Coach Close and her staff have a “firm” relationship with all of the high school and local AAU coaches to the point that she gets first dibs on most of the local talent here in the southland. If you’re from this area, then UCLA or USC look attractive because they are the only MAJOR D1 programs in So Cal. The rest are mid-majors.

 

[CocoHusky]

If she chooses anyone aside than ND or Indiana it will be a major upset. I would think that if she would have visited UConn and met the team, our chances would have been much higher.

I wouldn't discount ND but Indiana would be a major surprise because Paatterson has been holding an Indiana offer since she was in 8th grade or 4 years ago.

 

[Carnac]

A little strange to me that HS juniors would commit during this spring if they are not already strongly connected to a specific school. At some point during this spring/summer the dead period will end and recruits will be able to visit schools and get a first hand feel for them. Their really isn't any deadline on commitments until the early signing window.

I guess there may be a few schools that are so tight to maximum scholarships that it would make sense, bust most top ten players are going to be dealing with that I think, and again that would imply a very strong lean for the recruit.

You bring up a good point about available scholarships, since players were granted an extra year of eligibility, some programs may have a limited number of scholarships available in the next few years.

 

[Happydad745]

Good player, but does she really need to make a big announcement? Makes me want her less.

 

[BobbyJ]

If she chooses anyone aside than ND or Indiana it will be a major upset. I would think that if she would have visited UConn and met the team, our chances would have been much higher.

There’s been no in person recruiting for anyone for the past year so I don’t believe that will be a factor in her decision. Kids can’t take official visits to campus until Aug. 1st of their JR year so she wasn’t able to take any of her 5 allowed.

 

[Boreifs]

Good player, but does she really need to make a big announcement? Makes me want her less.

Try to resist that feeling. Everyone does it, including Paige and Azzi. I would guess you don’t want them less.

 

[BobbyJ]

A little strange to me that HS juniors would commit during this spring if they are not already strongly connected to a specific school. At some point during this spring/summer the dead period will end and recruits will be able to visit schools and get a first hand feel for them. Their really isn't any deadline on commitments until the early signing window.

I guess there may be a few schools that are so tight to maximum scholarships that it would make sense, bust most top ten players are going to be dealing with that I think, and again that would imply a very strong lean for the recruit.

For a lot of the top tier kids who know what they want and don’t need or want the constant attention, they’re more than happy to end the emails and phone calls and solidify their spot.

 

[UcMiami]

For a lot of the top tier kids who know what they want and don’t need or want the constant attention, they’re more than happy to end the emails and phone calls and solidify their spot.

But then why put out a top 10 or top 5 list. If you put out the list, you must be curious about the schools on it - why not arrange to visit after the NCAA lifts the dead zone?

 

[BobbyJ]

But then why put out a top 10 or top 5 list. If you put out the list, you must be curious about the schools on it - why not arrange to visit after the NCAA lifts the dead zone?

No idea. Just a kid’s thing that seems to have started with social media. I agree with you and that’s why I like Brady so much. I believe she had close to 40 offers as a FR but she doesn’t do social media so nobody really knew and she just took care of business because she knew what she wanted. I hope this is a similar scenario.

 

[DEpup]

If she chooses anyone aside than ND or Indiana it will be a major upset. I would think that if she would have visited UConn and met the team, our chances would have been much higher.

Really? With all the under this or that teams along with AAU circuits and camps, do you think she doesn't already know the UConn players? Please.

Plus. If she wants to win championships and has half a brain, she has to see Paige and Azzi along with their "puppy crew" and go I gotta go there. ND is a complete hot mess right now. That is not going to get fixed overnight.

 

[Rfwireless]

UCLA doesn’t have the appeal that other top 10 programs have. Cori Close has not won anything, and the school is not necessarily Uber supportive of wcbb. They seldom rate a mention on the 10:00 news. Too many other college and professional teams playing at the same time.

Coach Close and her staff have a “firm” relationship with all of the high school and local AAU coaches to the point that she gets first dibs on most of the local talent here in the southland. If you’re from this area, then UCLA or USC look attractive because they are the only MAJOR D1 programs in So Cal. The rest are mid-majors.

Really. I would like to see Geno win without talent. Heck he gets Paige Becker now getting Fudd. I expect him to win. Give that talent to Cori maybe she will win everything. You need talent to win, Wooden won because he Kareem, great coaches win with talent. Lots of teams have not won everything so everyone should go to Conneticut?

 

[DEpup]

You bring up a good point about available scholarships, since players were granted an extra year of eligibility, some programs may have a limited number of scholarships available in the next few years.

The extra year that a player chooses won't count against the limit. It could come down to whether schools are willing to put up the cash for those extra scholarships after the financial hit they've taken.

 

[UcMiami]

The extra year that a player chooses won't count against the limit. It could come down to whether schools are willing to put up the cash for those extra scholarships after the financial hit they've taken.

The NCAA has specifically NOT made any ruling about extra scholarships for people choosing to stay five years. At this point the 15 scholarship limit for women's teams is still in force and counts regardless of whether someone is staying an extra year.

 

[uconnever]

ND is not going to be good for awhile if you ask me. I’ve watched quite a few of their games and they have literally no one. Maybe the two recruits next year will be good who knows but they really do seem far off. With that being said, I doubt she comes here. Too many players who play her positions and they are good. She looks like a 3/4 and we are stacked there. She may be as talented or better than all of them, but I think it’s actually a deterrent. I think I would go to Louisville if I were her, over ND Indiana or UCLA.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

People writing off Notre Dame prematurely. With Westbeld, Peoples, Miles, Citron, and Marshall when she returns from injury they will have a great base. Add Patterson to that and then think about it.

 

[Argonaut]

People writing off Notre Dame prematurely. With Westbeld, Peoples, Miles, Citron, and Marshall when she returns from injury they will have a great base. Add Patterson to that and then think about it.

Add in Brunelle if she gets her conditioning in check...

 

[hussybulldog]

Is she gonna have a conference to announce her final choice like diamond deshields? LOL

 

[jaundicedeye]

A little strange to me that HS juniors would commit during this spring if they are not already strongly connected to a specific school. At some point during this spring/summer the dead period will end and recruits will be able to visit schools and get a first hand feel for them. Their really isn't any deadline on commitments until the early signing window.

I guess there may be a few schools that are so tight to maximum scholarships that it would make sense, bust most top ten players are going to be dealing with that I think, and again that would imply a very strong lean for the recruit.

Since we're in supposition and speculation mode I'll just throw this out there:
I have a strong hunch that she has already made her decision and wants to announce early to help that team in their further recruiting efforts. My gut tells me it is Notre Dame and the intent (with Niele Ivey's nod) is to let all prospective recruits know that Notre Dame BB has a few blue chippers on board and will be seriously good.
According to a Dillon77 post: When Niele took the HC job last year, the first three calls she made to prospects were: Olivia Miles, Sonia Citron and Ayanna Patterson. One's on campus (Miles), the other is coming (Citron)

 

[BobbyJ]

Since we're in supposition and speculation mode I'll just throw this out there:
I have a strong hunch that she has already made her decision and wants to announce early to help that team in their further recruiting efforts. My gut tells me it is Notre Dame and the intent (with Niele Ivey's nod) is to let all prospective recruits that Notre Dame BB has a few blue chippers on board and will be seriously good.

You may be onto something here. But Miles and Westbeld are about all the blue chippers I see.

 

[Carnac]

Really. I would like to see Geno win without talent. Heck he gets Paige Becker now getting Fudd. I expect him to win. Give that talent to Cori maybe she will win everything. You need talent to win, Wooden won because he Kareem, great coaches win with talent. Lots of teams have not won everything so everyone should go to Conneticut?

RF, you completely missed the point of my narrative, the crux of which was that UCLA (and Cori Close) IS NOT as attractive to recruits as other programs. Just because it's a high profile (and low 12.3% acceptance rate - 2020) school in an upscale part of town close to the ocean does not make it a place players want to go to. UCLA is not as culturally diverse as some other top ranked schools.

No one GAVE Geno anything. No one is going to give Cori Close anything. Close is a good coach doing the best she can. She's in a tough conference. Stanford is now back to being the elephant in the room in the PAC 12. Oregon has abdicated the throne. I understand and appreciate that you don't agree. I respect that, but I'm calling it like I see it.
I played in Pauley Pavilion in my youth (during the Sidney Wicks/Curtis Rowe era). I've been on that campus and the campuses of ALL of the large 4 year academic institutions here in Southern California. UCLA is nice, but would not be my first choice if I were an elite wcbb recruit looking for a top ranked college program to play for.

 

[fomalhaut]

Good player, but does she really need to make a big announcement? Makes me want her less.

I really miss players who sign their letters of intent on the hood of their car and fax it in at their dad's office.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I really miss players who sign their letters of intent on the hood of their car and fax it in at their dad's office.

Patterson isn't doing anything unusual in her announcement. Only thing different between this and, say, what Aaliyah Edwards did is because of the virus Patterson will be announcing at a park rather than at her school.

 

[Dillon77]

Yea I guess I was not successful in trying to bash UCLA in a low key way. I just don't get it, in much the same way I didn't get why TN was showing up on kids top 5 or whatever when Holly was the coach. Cori has had a number 1 recruiting class and has failed to even make a FF. I. can't hardly think of a former UCLA player making an impact in WNBA. Must be the weather because it can't be the basketball for HS players that have the talent & say they aspire to be in the W.

These three come to mind as recent Bruin grads in the WNBA. Burke is not an "impacter" yet, but I think one can say Canada has become a solid part of the Seattle rotaton.

• Jordin Canada
• Monique Billings
• Kennedy Burke

 

[uconnever]

People writing off Notre Dame prematurely. With Westbeld, Peoples, Miles, Citron, and Marshall when she returns from injury they will have a great base. Add Patterson to that and then think about it.

Thought about and I still think they will be a barely top 25 team at best.? I’ve watched them play and they just aren’t any good, even individually, the talent level is definitely not where it needs to be.