Comparing HS players to collegians is admittedly unfair, but still can be useful in performance projections.
I am uncomfortable commenting on those (Williams & Ekmark eg) I have not personally seen play.
I have seen Dangerfield in Murfreesboro, Nurse on a lot of tape from contacts in Canada, and Jefferson, of course, for the last 2 years.
My thoughts:
1) Dangerfield is the Real Deal. Although this is diehard Lady Vol country, no one close to her was really too
surprised at her UConn commit. Moriah hosted her visit, and it was all over. She reminds me a lot of MoJeff
with her blazing speed & quickness (which are different qualities), both with & without the ball (again, different skills). She differs in her ability to penetrate and draw defenses to her more effectively, because she is equally good with either hand, strong, and jumps very well. Her stats don't leap off the page like some HS stars, but Blackman is a terrific program with players who go on to Div 1 schools - so this is not Crystal & The Crystalettes. Let's be clear that I am a big Moriah fan - she is really fun to watch & will be an All-American. What I'm saying is that these two compare favorably and UConn's PG future is bright.
2) I believed before the season that Nurse would be the 5th starter that everyone was speculating about. She
remained under the radar in US BB circles, was not ranked among the top 100 Hoopgurlz until Geno recruited her. Her HS teams in Hamilton had won 3 straight titles, but what really knocked me out was watching a 17 year old kid hold her own on the Canadian National Team against veterans of hard-nosed international competition. And as the point guard! This experience (going back to U17 FIBA but particularly against older players on the National team) helped her develop the maturity, confidence, toughness, and composure no matter what the situation, which is now manifest. Free throws can improve and will - her game will put her at the line a lot. Just a terrific addition - absent injury, a 4 year starter & All American.
I am uncomfortable commenting on those (Williams & Ekmark eg) I have not personally seen play.
I have seen Dangerfield in Murfreesboro, Nurse on a lot of tape from contacts in Canada, and Jefferson, of course, for the last 2 years.
My thoughts:
1) Dangerfield is the Real Deal. Although this is diehard Lady Vol country, no one close to her was really too
surprised at her UConn commit. Moriah hosted her visit, and it was all over. She reminds me a lot of MoJeff
with her blazing speed & quickness (which are different qualities), both with & without the ball (again, different skills). She differs in her ability to penetrate and draw defenses to her more effectively, because she is equally good with either hand, strong, and jumps very well. Her stats don't leap off the page like some HS stars, but Blackman is a terrific program with players who go on to Div 1 schools - so this is not Crystal & The Crystalettes. Let's be clear that I am a big Moriah fan - she is really fun to watch & will be an All-American. What I'm saying is that these two compare favorably and UConn's PG future is bright.
2) I believed before the season that Nurse would be the 5th starter that everyone was speculating about. She
remained under the radar in US BB circles, was not ranked among the top 100 Hoopgurlz until Geno recruited her. Her HS teams in Hamilton had won 3 straight titles, but what really knocked me out was watching a 17 year old kid hold her own on the Canadian National Team against veterans of hard-nosed international competition. And as the point guard! This experience (going back to U17 FIBA but particularly against older players on the National team) helped her develop the maturity, confidence, toughness, and composure no matter what the situation, which is now manifest. Free throws can improve and will - her game will put her at the line a lot. Just a terrific addition - absent injury, a 4 year starter & All American.
