Confirmed UConn pursuit of Wisconsin transfer Serah Williams

[DEpup]

I like her because she appears to be what I like to call a UConn 4.5 PF. I have always believed this is why UConn has such a hard time getting bigs. The game UConn plays demands the perfect "5" player to be mobile and skilled on offense like a small forward but big enough to set good screens and offensive rebound downlow. Then on defense, they have to not only be big enough to protect the rim but again mobile enough to switch out and play defense anywhere. Oh and don't forget she has to get the rebound and sprint to the other end.

This is a lot to ask and I think few bigs who play the traditional 5 can do it and most of the rest who can are intimidated by the task.

Williams looks to potentially give the 2 big Stewie/Tuck type game with Strong that for me is the ideal modern UConn motion front court.

 

[HuskyNan]

Question. Since she is from NYC, what was her high school recruiting like? Was she ranked? Did she fly under the radar and Marisa found a diamond in the rough? I don't really remember her being talked about.

Some girls aren’t ranked highly, or ranked at all, if they aren’t seen. There aren’t enough scouts to go to every high school or AAU tournament and those that do go can’t possibly see a player enough times to get a good reading of her abilities. I put more stock in Geno & staff’s assessment than some ratings service

 

[BRS24]

If she intends to play professional ball, there is no better place to prepare for the next level than UConn.........

THIS. if a player only has one year of eligibility remaining, and has her sights on pro ball, then prepping and getting exposure is most important. Dorka & Lou are good examples, and Chen is a TBD.

 

[Fossil]

THIS. if a player only has one year of eligibility remaining, and has her sights on pro ball, then prepping and getting exposure is most important. Dorka & Lou are good examples, and Chen is a TBD.

Is it my imagination or do we miss out on a lot of Biggs that we go after like Somfi Toomey Betts Koval I know it’s been a minute but Cordoza Boston is it the school or the approach or the intensity of practice? What is it that scares them away? Ono was plan B. Patterson is a 3/4 as is ice. Connecticut has a fairly strong history of centers doing well in the W. Like Ono and Stevens and the big mastiff and Napheesa is a stud and a star, even though undersized Stewie can do everything. I know I’m missing a couple, but I am still very confused. Why we can’t get the Biggs we go after here in the states. Culture?

 

[uconnfan68]

Is it my imagination or do we miss out on a lot of Biggs that we go after like Somfi Toomey Betts Koval I know it’s been a minute but Cordoza Boston is it the school or the approach or the intensity of practice? What is it that scares them away? Ono was plan B. Patterson is a 3/4 as is ice. Amari never was able to finish practice and bailed and Connecticut has a fairly strong history of centers doing well in the W. Like Ono and Stevens and the big mastiff and Napheesa is a stud and a star, even though undersized Stewie can do everything. I know I’m missing a couple, but I am still very confused. Why we can’t get the Biggs we go after here in the states. Culture?

Guessing big mastiff is autocorrect for Big Mama Steff?

 

[packwrap]

Some girls aren’t ranked highly, or ranked at all, if they aren’t seen. There aren’t enough scouts to go to every high school or AAU tournament and those that do go can’t possibly see a player enough times to get a good reading of her abilities. I put more stock in Geno & staff’s assessment than some ratings service

Have you noticed that mysteriously, all of Geno's beating the bushes results in top100 recruits, and recently all top 15.

The services do a very good job finding people. The ones that 'fall between the cracks' are usually still all-state kids, who just miss top 100, even Gatorade winners from their state.

As a senior in hs Williams made the all-canadian all-star game for top 24 Canadian high school players. Not sure why sometimes Canadians are in hoopgurlz, and sometimes they are not.

 

[BobbyJ]

Have you noticed that mysteriously, all of Geno's beating the bushes results in top100 recruits, and recently all top 15.

The services do a very good job finding people. The ones that 'fall between the cracks' are usually still all-state kids, who just miss top 100, even Gatorade winners from their state.

As a senior in hs Williams made the all-canadian all-star game for top 24 Canadian high school players. Not sure why sometimes Canadians are in hoopgurlz, and sometimes they are not.

As I've told you before, these "services" don't "find" top players for the top 30 or so programs like UConn. These coaching staffs identify the top talents as soon or sooner than these websites do. Then they're able to establish early relationships with them in recruitment. There's no mystery to it.
Secondly, Hoopgurlz (ESPN) only lists the Canadians that they see. As @HuskyNan told you above, these websites don't necessarily see them all. These top college coaches have a wider range of contacts than these websites do.

 

[Bone Dog]

I've finally managed to watch a few complete Wisconsin game videos and have a few observations about Serah.

• She has an excellent midrange game. I wouldn't want to see her shooting a lot of 3s. But a midrange shot was a great asset for Aaliyah and Geno will know how to use it. Plus her scoring progression over the last 3 years has been steady, which is a really good sign.
• She is an effective defensive rebounder, though she can be muscled out of the low post as can be see in the games against Iowa.
• She is also a pretty good low post defender, but not as intimidating a rim protector as one might expect given she averages 2+ blocks per game. I wouldn't compare her favorably to Liv. Serah is a much better scorer, but Liv was the better defender and high post passer.
• She is not great as a high hedge defender the way Aaliyah and Dorka and Liv were and Sarah currently is. Her footwork doesn't seem to be quick enough.
• One flaw is a tendency to travel when she gets the ball in the paint. She can be quite clever with her footwork against opposing bigs, but sometimes gets a little too clever.
• She doesn't always run the court well. She's often the last player back on offense, though she gets back on defense well. This is an effort thing, so she can improve on it.
• I don't know how scrappy she is. Aaliyah and Dorka were willing to dive for loose balls. Is Serah willing to do that? I haven't seen any evidence of it, nor do I know how essential it is.

What might all this mean for her potential at Storrs? If she comes, Geno and CD will know how to work with her.

• I'd expect her to benefit vastly from playing next to Sarah on both ends. Carter McCray is her running mate at Wisconsin and is pretty good especially as a rebounder, but Sarah will be a huge step up.
• She needs to figure out a more sophisticated offense (and defense) than Wisconsin has been able to run, especially when it comes to setting screens. But she's primed for that role given her midrange game.
• She also needs to improve her passing, and Geno will want to run a high-low game with her and Sarah. I also think her low post game will benefit from the better guard talent at UConn -- she will get the ball in better positions and this may cut down on the travels.
• Will we see her playing in a twin towers set with Jana or Ice? That could be interesting and Serah would take a lot of pressure off those two.
• Much also will depend on how much work she's willing to do in practices. This is true for everyone who comes to Storrs, and Serah will need to embrace it too. But if she does, it might be wonderful for Jana and the other bigs to compete against her -- as well as for Serah herself.

If she aspires to a pro career, all these things Geno and CD can teach her will be instrumental to her success at the next level. I hope she's up for the challenge.

 

[donalddoowop]

I've finally managed to watch a few complete Wisconsin game videos and have a few observations about Serah.

• She has an excellent midrange game. I wouldn't want to see her shooting a lot of 3s. But a midrange shot was a great asset for Aaliyah and Geno will know how to use it. Plus her scoring progression over the last 3 years has been steady, which is a really good sign.
• She is an effective defensive rebounder, though she can be muscled out of the low post as can be see in the games against Iowa.
• She is also a pretty good low post defender, but not as intimidating a rim protector as one might expect given she averages 2+ blocks per game. I wouldn't compare her favorably to Liv. Serah is a much better scorer, but Liv was the better defender and high post passer.
• She is not great as a high hedge defender the way Aaliyah and Dorka and Liv were and Sarah currently is. Her footwork doesn't seem to be quick enough.
• One flaw is a tendency to travel when she gets the ball in the paint. She can be quite clever with her footwork against opposing bigs, but sometimes gets a little too clever.
• She doesn't always run the court well. She's often the last player back on offense, though she gets back on defense well. This is an effort thing, so she can improve on it.
• I don't know how scrappy she is. Aaliyah and Dorka were willing to dive for loose balls. Is Serah willing to do that? I haven't seen any evidence of it, nor do I know how essential it is.

What might all this mean for her potential at Storrs? If she comes, Geno and CD will know how to work with her.

• I'd expect her to benefit vastly from playing next to Sarah on both ends. Carter McCray is her running mate at Wisconsin and is pretty good especially as a rebounder, but Sarah will be a huge step up.
• She needs to figure out a more sophisticated offense (and defense) than Wisconsin has been able to run, especially when it comes to setting screens. But she's primed for that role given her midrange game.
• She also needs to improve her passing, and Geno will want to run a high-low game with her and Sarah. I also think her low post game will benefit from the better guard talent at UConn -- she will get the ball in better positions and this may cut down on the travels.
• Will we see her playing in a twin towers set with Jana or Ice? That could be interesting and Serah would take a lot of pressure off those two.
• Much also will depend on how much work she's willing to do in practices. This is true for everyone who comes to Storrs, and Serah will need to embrace it too. But if she does, it might be wonderful for Jana and the other bigs to compete against her -- as well as for Serah herself.

If she aspires to a pro career, all these things Geno and CD can teach her will be instrumental to her success at the next level. I hope she's up for the challenge.

You will know if she is not up for the challenge. She won't commit to UConn.

 

[packwrap]

As I've told you before, these "services" don't "find" top players for the top 30 or so programs like UConn. These coaching staffs identify the top talents as soon or sooner than these websites do. Then they're able to establish early relationships with them in recruitment. There's no mystery to it.

We'll have to agree to disagree. The scout services start very early, scholarships are offered very early. The idea that a coach is finding someone shooting baskets in the dirt against the side of a barn, or playing in the church league due a fight with the high school coach just doesn't happen. (anymore)

Most of the top kids even play together on team USA youth teams, plus of course AAU. I know it's not romantic, but recruiting info is very well organized and available.

 

[mainerhuski]

We also have Morgan who got minutes and is kinda like a 3/4. I guess Geno could play her at backup point next year.

As a backup PG?

It will be interesting, I see Morgan as a 2-3-4, depending on opponent & team needs. We’re lucky to have her, hope she’s healing well!

 

[BobbyJ]

We'll have to agree to disagree. The scout services start very early, scholarships are offered very early. The idea that a coach is finding someone shooting baskets in the dirt against the side of a barn, or playing in the church league due a fight with the high school coach just doesn't happen. (anymore)

Most of the top kids even play together on team USA youth teams, plus of course AAU. I know it's not romantic, but recruiting info is very well organizers and available.

It's obvious from this post that you're not aware of how "scout services" operate or of how high level D1 college recruiting is conducted. That "well organized recruiting info" is for casual fans and parents to purchase through subscriptions from the gurus. Top 30 coaches don't need it or use it to identify talent good enough to play in their program.

 

[tower1]

Geno...go get her!

Yep she would definitely open up the middle with her mid range shooting.

 

[mainerhuski]

I really would like to see that since her career has been in the toilet so far. Caroline deserves to be healthy, able to play full time, and become the leader of this team in her final year. She has the talent, the leadership, and finally the health to get the job done and lead us to a second consecutive National Championship.

I would love to see it, too, but, man, she looks really gassed after the few minutes she’s played.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

I've finally managed to watch a few complete Wisconsin game videos and have a few observations about Serah.

• She has an excellent midrange game. I wouldn't want to see her shooting a lot of 3s. But a midrange shot was a great asset for Aaliyah and Geno will know how to use it. Plus her scoring progression over the last 3 years has been steady, which is a really good sign.
• She is an effective defensive rebounder, though she can be muscled out of the low post as can be see in the games against Iowa.
• She is also a pretty good low post defender, but not as intimidating a rim protector as one might expect given she averages 2+ blocks per game. I wouldn't compare her favorably to Liv. Serah is a much better scorer, but Liv was the better defender and high post passer.
• She is not great as a high hedge defender the way Aaliyah and Dorka and Liv were and Sarah currently is. Her footwork doesn't seem to be quick enough.
• One flaw is a tendency to travel when she gets the ball in the paint. She can be quite clever with her footwork against opposing bigs, but sometimes gets a little too clever.
• She doesn't always run the court well. She's often the last player back on offense, though she gets back on defense well. This is an effort thing, so she can improve on it.
• I don't know how scrappy she is. Aaliyah and Dorka were willing to dive for loose balls. Is Serah willing to do that? I haven't seen any evidence of it, nor do I know how essential it is.

What might all this mean for her potential at Storrs? If she comes, Geno and CD will know how to work with her.

• I'd expect her to benefit vastly from playing next to Sarah on both ends. Carter McCray is her running mate at Wisconsin and is pretty good especially as a rebounder, but Sarah will be a huge step up.
• She needs to figure out a more sophisticated offense (and defense) than Wisconsin has been able to run, especially when it comes to setting screens. But she's primed for that role given her midrange game.
• She also needs to improve her passing, and Geno will want to run a high-low game with her and Sarah. I also think her low post game will benefit from the better guard talent at UConn -- she will get the ball in better positions and this may cut down on the travels.
• Will we see her playing in a twin towers set with Jana or Ice? That could be interesting and Serah would take a lot of pressure off those two.
• Much also will depend on how much work she's willing to do in practices. This is true for everyone who comes to Storrs, and Serah will need to embrace it too. But if she does, it might be wonderful for Jana and the other bigs to compete against her -- as well as for Serah herself.

If she aspires to a pro career, all these things Geno and CD can teach her will be instrumental to her success at the next level. I hope she's up for the challenge.

Excellent evaluation! Thank you for taking the time, it's very much appreciated.

 

[HuskyNan]

We'll have to agree to disagree. The scout services start very early, scholarships are offered very early. The idea that a coach is finding someone shooting baskets in the dirt against the side of a barn, or playing in the church league due a fight with the high school coach just doesn't happen. (anymore)

Most of the top kids even play together on team USA youth teams, plus of course AAU. I know it's not romantic, but recruiting info is very well organized and available.

As I’ve said before, I used to be a scout for HoopGurlz. We tried to cover the big tournaments but it’s a small (unpaid) staff with each person covering a big territory. I was the only person in the Northeast. I went alone to the Nike tournament in Chicago which was held in several venues, some miles apart. I tried to watch as many games with the better known AAU teams and sometimes saw a “hidden gem” on the next court but no one wanted to hear about some unknown freshman, they wanted to know about the big names, how they played and the newest news on their schools of interest. We weren’t working 10 hour days to write articles no one would read so we gave the public what it wanted

There aren’t hundreds of scouts throughout the country finding hidden gems in some obscure high school. What happens is that college coaches build networks of high school and AAU coaches, scouts they trust, and some services that coaches hire to go look at players. These aren’t rankings services.

Several AAU coaches told me Geno calls them periodically to see if they have or know of someone that his coaching staff should take a look at. That’s how Geno got in on Gandy before the other US coaches had a chance to see her. I would bet 90% of recruits are gotten through coaches’ networks rather than reading HoopGurlz or Prospect Nation.

 

[packwrap]

Thanks for thorough answer. I wasn't specifically repping hoopgurlz, it's just easiest one to use, due ESPN and one click away.

I'll try to briefly rephrase my point, and then I'll quit. I understand Geno and others have network, the USA basketball one is particularly good, as those staffs are looking for best players for US teams. AAU coach friends great too.

The staff has to go out and see games in person to evaluate talent, and even more important to build and maintain relationship with player and family.

Still by soph year, the top 100 lists are already in action. No coach has an excuse to say 'I missed someone', if the public info gives a simple place to go where the best recruits are listed. ie. if someone as dumb as me can find them, then a well connected coach surely can. At least you can use the lists to make sure that a good player wasn't overlooked.

Yes, soph year may be late to the party, but it's not too late. The top 5-10 schools can still creep into the picture late, since for kids those are the dream schools. Then Jr year comes the famous "I've narrowed my search to these 12 logos", and finally senior November (or later) a binding choice. The winner is not always the one who made the earliest contact.

 

[HuskyNan]

Thanks for thorough answer. I wasn't specifically repping hoopgurlz, it's just easiest one to use, due ESPN and one click away.

I'll try to briefly rephrase my point, and then I'll quit. I understand Geno and others have network, the USA basketball one is particularly good, as those staffs are looking for best players for US teams. AAU coach friends great too.

The staff has to go out and see games in person to evaluate talent, and even more important to build and maintain relationship with player and family.

Still by soph year, the top 100 lists are already in action. No coach has an excuse to say 'I missed someone', if the public info gives a simple place to go where the best recruits are listed. ie. if someone as dumb as me can find them, then a well connected coach surely can. At least you can use the lists to make sure that a good player wasn't overlooked.

Yes, soph year may be late to the party, but it's not too late. The top 5-10 schools can still creep into the picture late, since for kids those are the dream schools. Then Jr year comes the famous "I've narrowed my search to these 12 logos", and finally senior November (or later) a binding choice. The winner is not always the one who made the earliest contact.

Coaches can only send standardized, form-letter type recruiting material to players until June 1 after a girl’s sophomore year of high school. No in person, text, or email contact can be initiated by a school. A coach could watch games or talk to her high school or AAU coach but Geno and his peers are very limited in the recruiting process of young girls. The rules extend to families as well.

Btw, a girls can reach out to the staff any time she likes. So if Geno wants to extend an offer to a sophomore, he could talk to her coach and imply he’d like to talk to her but can’t. The coach could tell her to call

 

[HopJim]

Just a perception. At times, players defer so much to Paige that they sometimes don't fully utilize their own skills. The South Carolina game was an example of when everyone was going at full speed, they are unbeatable. Looking at next year's lineup, there is a potential opportunity that Williams or similar player could flourish in.

 

[HopJim]

I've finally managed to watch a few complete Wisconsin game videos and have a few observations about Serah.

• She has an excellent midrange game. I wouldn't want to see her shooting a lot of 3s. But a midrange shot was a great asset for Aaliyah and Geno will know how to use it. Plus her scoring progression over the last 3 years has been steady, which is a really good sign.
• She is an effective defensive rebounder, though she can be muscled out of the low post as can be see in the games against Iowa.
• She is also a pretty good low post defender, but not as intimidating a rim protector as one might expect given she averages 2+ blocks per game. I wouldn't compare her favorably to Liv. Serah is a much better scorer, but Liv was the better defender and high post passer.
• She is not great as a high hedge defender the way Aaliyah and Dorka and Liv were and Sarah currently is. Her footwork doesn't seem to be quick enough.
• One flaw is a tendency to travel when she gets the ball in the paint. She can be quite clever with her footwork against opposing bigs, but sometimes gets a little too clever.
• She doesn't always run the court well. She's often the last player back on offense, though she gets back on defense well. This is an effort thing, so she can improve on it.
• I don't know how scrappy she is. Aaliyah and Dorka were willing to dive for loose balls. Is Serah willing to do that? I haven't seen any evidence of it, nor do I know how essential it is.

What might all this mean for her potential at Storrs? If she comes, Geno and CD will know how to work with her.

• I'd expect her to benefit vastly from playing next to Sarah on both ends. Carter McCray is her running mate at Wisconsin and is pretty good especially as a rebounder, but Sarah will be a huge step up.
• She needs to figure out a more sophisticated offense (and defense) than Wisconsin has been able to run, especially when it comes to setting screens. But she's primed for that role given her midrange game.
• She also needs to improve her passing, and Geno will want to run a high-low game with her and Sarah. I also think her low post game will benefit from the better guard talent at UConn -- she will get the ball in better positions and this may cut down on the travels.
• Will we see her playing in a twin towers set with Jana or Ice? That could be interesting and Serah would take a lot of pressure off those two.
• Much also will depend on how much work she's willing to do in practices. This is true for everyone who comes to Storrs, and Serah will need to embrace it too. But if she does, it might be wonderful for Jana and the other bigs to compete against her -- as well as for Serah herself.

If she aspires to a pro career, all these things Geno and CD can teach her will be instrumental to her success at the next level. I hope she's up for the challenge.

I suspect everyone gets faster with Geno yelling at them.

 

[connboy77]

Do we know if she has strong interest in UCONN?

 

[ju6381]

Do we know if she has strong interest in UCONN?

I would imagine the connection with her coach at Wisonsin would have checked on that before contact was made, much like with Chen.

 

[CL82]

It's hard for me.... just ask my wife!

 

[Dogstar]

I would love to see it, too, but, man, she looks really gassed after the few minutes she’s played.

She's not in UConn shape but only a few teams are, Genos boot camp would change tht.

 

[jeff30189]

It's simple.

• Can she rebound like a 6'4" post should?
• Can she make more than 50% of her tip-ins, put backs and layups?
• Can she make more than 50% of her free throws?
• And can she guard a high quality post player (i.e. Beers) without fouling out in the first half?

She might hasten the development of Ice and Jana rather than impede it. Agreed that Gandy is a raw project, so just glue her to the end of the bench for her freshman year. Ayanna is even more of a coin flip than Caroline in terms of whether or not she can ever come back from years of injuries. You take talent when you can get it, and the post is STILL the #1 most glaring need for this team, even if Azzi does not come back.