ESPN announcement for Jones?

[CompSci87]

I got excited when I read your question. Stanford currently has 15 players on scholarship, which is the NCAA limit. They have NLI's from 3 HS seniors. Unfortunately, they graduate 4 seniors. So, yes they have room for one more scholarship on next year's team.

As good as Jones is, 15 players on the team will still impact individual coaching time and PT. Note that one of Stanford's incoming recruits is talented 6"1" Fran Belibi from CO, #23 on Hoopgurlz. Jones is better of course, but she will still have to battle for minutes against another talented wing in her own class if she heads to Stanford, not to mention the 11 returning players from this years team.

As for UConn, while I would be reluctant to say this about most incoming freshmen, I would be surprised if Haley did not crack UConn's starting lineup from Day 1 next season.

Stanford almost always carries 15 players. They have 15 endowed scholarships, so AD funding is not an issue. And Tara believes strongly in using the scholarships to give worthy female athletes a chance to attend Stanford.

 

[oldude]

Stanford is a great university and Haley Jones may well end up there. But if you asked her to project her anticipated career after college it would most certainly involve basketball.

When it comes to WBB, UConn awards more P.H.D.’s than any school on the planet. Does anyone really believe that Gabby or Lou, both of whom decided to choose UConn over Stanford, would have somehow developed their games to the same level, or had a better overall experience in college if they attended Stanford?

Haley Jones is an intelligent, articulate young lady. By now, I suspect she has weighed all the pros and cons and made her choice. If she selects Stanford, whatever reasons she outlines, imo the single most important one will be the proximity of Stanford to her family. When UConn has lost top recruits in the past few years (Wilson, Cox, etc.) it has invariably been to a school near their home.

However, until Haley Jones states otherwise, I will continue to remain optimistic that she will follow DT, KML, Gabby & Lou to earn her advanced degree at the “Oxford” of WBB

 

[Tonyc]

A couple of thoughts. One being parents and friends can watch UConn games as UConn games are televised. Being a high caliber BB player imo would lead you to UConn, because you didnt work your entire life to be a great BB player and then say OK im going to stop getting better and focus on something else. Haley will go far in WBB. There is nothing better in life then having a career doing something you love. At UConn the goal in NC's Pretty much FF's are there especially lately. As far as friends go why would she travel all the way across the country to be with friends at UConn???? I like our chance a lot. It is between UConn and Stanford and with Latecia going to SC that leads me to believe that Geno has a position for Haley next season. There is no way Geno would not take Latecia if Haley wasnt coming. That would leave a position open.

 

[Dorf]

A couple of thoughts. One being parents and friends can watch UConn games as UConn games are televised. Being a high caliber BB player imo would lead you to UConn, because you didnt work your entire life to be a great BB player and then say OK im going to stop getting better and focus on something else. Haley will go far in WBB. There is nothing better in life then having a career doing something you love. At UConn the goal in NC's Pretty much FF's are there especially lately. As far as friends go why would she travel all the way across the country to be with friends at UConn???? I like our chance a lot. It is between UConn and Stanford and with Latecia going to SC that leads me to believe that Geno has a position for Haley next season. There is no way Geno would not take Latecia if Haley wasnt coming. That would leave a position open.

A couple of thoughts. One being parents and friends can watch UConn games as UConn games are televised. Being a high caliber BB player imo would lead you to UConn, because you didnt work your entire life to be a great BB player and then say OK im going to stop getting better and focus on something else. Haley will go far in WBB. There is nothing better in life then having a career doing something you love. At UConn the goal in NC's Pretty much FF's are there especially lately. As far as friends go why would she travel all the way across the country to be with friends at UConn???? I like our chance a lot. It is between UConn and Stanford and with Latecia going to SC that leads me to believe that Geno has a position for Haley next season. There is no way Geno would not take Latecia if Haley wasnt coming. That would leave a position open.

Pretty asinine to imply that a Stanford decision means she has decided to stop getting better or that she won't get better at Stanford.

 

[CocoHusky]

Pretty asinine to imply that a Stanford decision means she has decided to stop getting better or that she won't get better at Stanford.

@Tonyc is OUR Eternal Optimist, I"m positive that was not what he was implying. He knows the Stanford pedigree for WBB.

 

[hoopsfan22]

She should take the Stanford education.

 

[Kevin G]

She should take the Stanford education.

She should take the route of Basketball excellence and player development at UCONN

 

[oldude]

Pretty asinine to imply that a Stanford decision means she has decided to stop getting better or that she won't get better at Stanford.

I know we’re all a little on edge here waiting on the decisions of two young ladies. I’m sure TonyC did not mean to imply that Haley would stop trying to get better at basketball if she decides to attend Stanford. She is an impressive young lady who will be successful wherever she ends up. That’s why so many of us want her as a Husky.

 

[hoopsfan22]

She should take the route of Basketball excellence and player development at UCONN

People go to college for an education. Getting the best one possible, especially for free, is the best investment one can make for their future. Stating the obvious but often ignored here, but athlete comes after student in the word student-athlete.

 

[CocoHusky]

People go to college for an education. Getting the best one possible, especially for free, is the best investment one can make for their future. Stating the obvious but often ignored here, but athlete comes after student in the word student-athlete.

People also go to college to develop their skills to get the best job possible upon graduation. Pretty sure Haley Jones will have a better paying job waiting for her in the WNBA and overseas playing basketball than she will with a degree in Psychology where the starting salary ranges between $29K-$32K regardless of the institution she graduates from.

 

[BleedBlue72]

Stanford will winout ... being close to home will be the deciding factor. Tara is a hall of famer and has produce a national title , final fours, all Americans. Yes UCONN has been the most dominant program but the pac 12 is one of the best power 5 conferences .. the American is a total joke. All the pros at Stanford out number the ones at UCONN. I predict Boston to UCONN and sadly Haley to Stanford ..

 

[oldude]

People go to college for an education. Getting the best one possible, especially for free, is the best investment one can make for their future. Stating the obvious but often ignored here, but athlete comes after student in the word student-athlete.

I would respectfully suggest that people go to college for a number of reasons including an education. Haley Jones is not merely a bright student with an opportunity to attend Stanford. She is the number one HS basketball player in the country, who will very likely earn millions playing basketball. That has to be a consideration in her decision.

 

[victor64]

Correct me if I am wrong, every player in Geno and CD's 33 years, that has stayed four years (even some that had eligibility left) has gotten their degree. That seems to indicate that education is a priority at UCONN. It is not a Stanford academically obviously but it is not just a basketball factory either.

 

[CocoHusky]

Stanford will winout ... being close to home will be the deciding factor. Tara is a hall of famer and has produce a national title , final fours, all Americans. Yes UCONN has been the most dominant program but the pac 12 is one of the best power 5 conferences .. the American is a total joke. All the pros at Stanford out number the ones at UCONN. I predict Boston to UCONN and sadly Haley to Stanford ..

How has UCONN WCBB compared to the Pac 12 teams lately? Historically?
Haley has never stated that being close to home will be a factor in her decision. She has stated that academics and teammates will be. The former favors Stanford, the latter favors UCONN.

 

[PacoSwede]

depends on what you want ... some kids actually want to get away from home, and if that's the case for jones, then stanford would be a huge negative

and as far as education goes ... it depends on what you're most interested in (and of course, you'll only get what you put into it, at any school)

 

[oldude]

Correct me if I am wrong, every player in Geno and CD's 33 years, that has stayed four years (even some that had eligibility left) has gotten their degree. That seems to indicate that education is a priority at UCONN. It is not a Stanford academically obviously but it is not just a basketball factory either.

You are correct. In addition to UConn WBB 100% graduation rate, if a player slacks off academically at UConn, they don’t play, they don’t suit up and they don’t even sit on the bench.

 

[Carnac]

This is very believable.

I sure hope so. It’s going to be a challenge replacing Lou and Napheesa next year. That challenge will be lessened with Jones and Boston in the fold. I don’t want to be a harbinger of doom, but there will be two starting positions that must be filled. That's where Jones and Boston come in. Most BY'ers think Boston is a lock, while the yard is split on Jones' final destination. Geno needs players that can make plays on both ends of the court (make plays, score and play defense) to be competitive next year. They both start as freshmen if they come here.

While I'm not doing "Chicken Little" just yet, looking at the bench right now, plus Griffin, I am concerned.
Are those players Geno will choose from already in house? In years past, UConn has survived not getting certain highly coveted recruits, because he already had talented freshmen waiting in the wings to step up.

The consensus (according to posts and comments here in the yard and the media) is that UConn is presently lacking quality depth. How can they lose two All Americans, not add any top rated recruits (No slight meant towards Griffin who is rated #33 in Hoopgiurlz), and remain dominant? I’m not panicking, but I am seriously concerned. I question if they can survive not getting both Jones and Boston. If I’m missing something here, someone please enlighten me. Thoughts?

 

[Bama fan]

This is my 1st post here though I have been reading the Boneyard for years. Nice to get some information from all corners. Born and raised in Bpt, CT and a big UCONN fan. But I am NOT a Kool-aid guy. So sometimes I scratch my head at what Geno has been doing the last few years. Criticizing Williams after game 1 (?) for deferring too much? I thought she played well in the flow (UCONN trademark!) and let the sr's lead . As she should have. Recruiting: You guys realize there are 3 uncommitted players left in the ESPN Top 100??? Better hope Boston and Jones sign w/UConn. Better hope they stick around. If you only bring in 3 players a year they better all be good and stay IF you want UConn to be UConn. UConn has 11 players this season. 4 of those 11 cannot help much at this point. Maybe they get better. Someone gets hurt and you are pretty much done.

Welcome to the Yard. And I am sure the Boneheads are very aware of the recruiting situation, so I guess your question was rhetorical. You will indeed get "information from all corners" here. Some of it is even correct! Good luck and good posting.

 

[Shades]

You are correct. In addition to UConn WBB 100% graduation rate, if a player slacks off academically at UConn, they don’t play, they don’t suit up and they don’t even sit on the bench.

If she’s considering Stanford, she’s not exactly the slack-off type.

As much as a strong basketball program, Jones said earlier this year that she is looking for a strong academic institution.

“I think academics are very important for me and all women in sports, because we do not make as much money as men do and we need to have a good degree so you can do something with it,” Jones, who is exploring a psychology major, said in an April interview with the Sentinel. “Because basketball doesn’t last forever and you need to have a steady income after basketball.”

I wonder if she’s been paying attention to the situation in the WNBA with the players recently opting out of the CBA. A lot of uncertainty surrounding the WNBA.

 

[VAMike23]

This once again seems appropriate ...

 

[Hayven]

I think Jones is going to Stanford, although I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Geno and company. The words of a teen can’t be relied upon. It was not too long ago a great player said she wanted to go to a program where they develop players. Only to then chose a coach who has yet to develop any talented players

 

[j66kicker]

People go to college for an education. Getting the best one possible, especially for free, is the best investment one can make for their future. Stating the obvious but often ignored here, but athlete comes after student in the word student-athlete.

Regardless of where she goes to school, make no mistake about it - Haley Jones will be majoring in BASKETBALL. At the elite athletic level this is just reality. I would think an analysis of which institution has the best BASKETBALL department would be key to her decision.

 

[oldude]

I think Jones is going to Stanford, although I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Geno and company. The words of a teen can’t be relied upon. It was not too long ago a great player said she wanted to go to a program where they develop players. Only to then chose a coach who has yet to develop any talented players

Yes, I was thinking of Horston’s comments and how we all felt that she was leaning towards UConn. Fortunately she is talented enough to succeed in spite of HW’s coaching rather than because of it.

 

[Tonyc]

Thanks to my friends on the Boneyard for coverng my back. Those of you who know me know I would never ever put down any player and for the past 24 years that Ive been on this board, I have kept players back when other posters have attacked them.

Dorf I see your new but perhaps in the future instead of attacking a poster and calling them names because you think your interpretation is correct maybe you could simply send a pm message requesting an explanation. Im sorry you misinterpreted what I ment and Im sure your rude comments were out of hostility. In any event welcome to the Boneyard.

 

[Dorf]

Thanks to my friends on the Boneyard for coverng my back. Those of you who know me know I would never ever put down any player and for the past 24 years that Ive been on this board, I have kept players back when other posters have attacked them.

Dorf I see your new but perhaps in the future instead of attacking a poster and calling them names because you think your interpretation is correct maybe you could simply send a pm message requesting an explanation. Im sorry you misinterpreted what I ment and Im sure your rude comments were out of hostility. In any event welcome to the Boneyard.

Maybe you should reread both of our posts. I never called you any names and didn't infer anything from your post that wasn't there. If you don't want me to call you out on your fatuity I strongly suggest you put me on ignore.

 

[NewCorn]

She should take the Stanford education.

She should take the path that offers her the most joy.

 

[meyers7]

You are correct. In addition to UConn WBB 100% graduation rate, if a player slacks off academically at UConn, they don’t play, they don’t suit up and they don’t even sit on the bench.

I imagine that is true at most of the top schools.

 

[NewCorn]

Stanford will winout ... being close to home will be the deciding factor. Tara is a hall of famer and has produce a national title , final fours, all Americans. Yes UCONN has been the most dominant program but the pac 12 is one of the best power 5 conferences .. the American is a total joke. All the pros at Stanford out number the ones at UCONN. I predict Boston to UCONN and sadly Haley to Stanford ..

O ye of little faith, hath not the Dorf told you that Jones is coming to UConn? If it were not so, the Dorf would not have told you.

 

[Alydar]

Pretty asinine to imply that a Stanford decision means she has decided to stop getting better or that she won't get better at Stanford.

It's as asinine as implying that a top notch education isn't available at UConn. The value in attending a school like Stanford or Duke is in the network one builds and those 2 schools are loaded with the children of corporate board members, national politicians, etc. I doubt that many scholarship athletes have much time to schmooze the sons & daughters of fortune 500 executives.

 

[Dorf]

It's as asinine as implying that a top notch education isn't available at UConn. The value in attending a school like Stanford or Duke is in the network one builds and those 2 schools are loaded with the children of corporate board members, national politicians, etc. I doubt that many scholarship athletes have much time to schmooze the sons & daughters of fortune 500 executives.

Strawmen are fun.