February Recruiting Thread

[Sluconn Husky]

And if not Stanford there is her dad being an Oregon alumni. Don’t see her heading in East for college.

If she turns down her "dream school" then I think all options are on the table. Not sure what would make her turn that down though.

 

[Mdoggie]

We have solid prospects coming in already for the next 2 years. I'd like to see a center available who fits the program. I see Ice and Ayanna more as power forwards but I could certainly see Ice replacing ONO in the post. Overall though I'd like to see a big post player with skill. We are in a strong position already but we certainly could use some depth. I'd shoot for the moon. Ciera, Mikaylah etc... I'd also look for some athletic players who can defend.

Amari will morph into a beast in the middle (let’s hope)

 

[Mdoggie]

Being the same size, this might be Haley Jones 2.0.

You mean a better version of HJ? Wow!

 

[CocoHusky]

The problem right now is the lack of positional diversity in the 2024 top 25 positionally. It is a very guard heavy class. I think at most 3 from 24 split up between guard's and wings. I'd like 23 to be a 5 player class by adding 3 bigs to the guards already committed.

I don't disagree but the three best real bigs are Cunningham, Del Rosario, and Vasconcelos. Cunningham is in my opinion the only one who's a UConn level talent and I believe she'll stay on the west coast. If they can get Toomey they may have to hope for one or both of Booker and Kitts who are in the 6-1 to 6-2 range to get to a 5 player class.

The need for a "true" post player in 23 depends in large part what happens with the development of Amari and Piath. I agree with your assessment that Cunningham is the only one of the three who could be UCONN ready to be a contributor as a freshman. To be candid I don't think UCONN can afford to have 3 rosters spots @ the same position waiting for players to develop. For the start of the 23-24 Amari will be a Junior and Piath will be a senior if it has not clicked by then it is never going to for them. UCONN can look at the transfer portal or press hard to sign Blanca Thomas or Kate Koval- Kate would be my preference in '24 because of her mobility and versatility.

 

[BobbyJ]

You mean a better version of HJ? Wow!

Maybe. But I was just referring to a second version of a 6-1 kid from the west coast who's dream school was Stanford.

 

[Mdoggie]

Maybe. But I was just referring to a second version of a 6-1 kid from the west coast who's dream school was Stanford.

Ok. I really wish people knew what the 2.0 actually means when they use it.

2.0​

​

ADJECTIVE​

postpositive

• Used to denote a superior or more advanced version of an original concept, product, service, etc.
  ‘it's time for public transport 2.0’

 

[CocoHusky]

Ok. I really wish people knew what the 2.0 actually means when they use it.

?? Your college GPA?

 

[Mdoggie]

?? Your college GPA?

That one got me! Dang near choked on my coffee. Good one, however no college for this blue collar stiff

 

[hoophuskee]

I don't disagree but the three best real bigs are Cunningham, Del Rosario, and Vasconcelos. Cunningham is in my opinion the only one who's a UConn level talent and I believe she'll stay on the west coast. If they can get Toomey they may have to hope for one or both of Booker and Kitts who are in the 6-1 to 6-2 range to get to a 5 player class.

What about Williams?

 

[Cuango]

She's apparently a POI.

Sounds like she’s pretty much out of reach for us already! She actually seems like a Stanford girl. Very impressive! I wish/hope we had a better chance with her but I’m afraid she’s going to end up being a problem for us instead. Best of luck to her though!

 

[BobbyJ]

What about Williams?

Williams is a 6-0 guard. I'm sure UConn would take her in a nano second if she wanted to come and has an offer. I'm just not seeing any UConn connection with her as with Toomey, Shade, and Arnold from the '23 class.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

2/16

Kate Koval: 18 points, 14 rebs, 5 blocks


2/15

Olivia Olson: 30 points

Devin Coppinger: 23 points

Aniya Foy: 26 points


2/14

Zamareya Jones: 34 points

 

[hoophuskee]

Williams is a 6-0 guard. I'm sure UConn would take her in a nano second if she wanted to come and has an offer. I'm just not seeing any UConn connection with her as with Toomey, Shade, and Arnold from the '23 class.

At 6'0/6'1 UCONN did play Megan Walker that played PF. And Evina was a small PF too 6'0/6'1. And with that said Ducharme is 6'2 (and ofc we have the 2022 recruits also PF's). Anyhow Williams seems like sg/sf. Last year UCONN's SF was 5'10 CWill and SF never was a problem it seemed.

But what do you mean by "connection?" She hasn't produced a list yet I think? So who does have a connection with her?

 

[CocoHusky]

At 6'0/6'1 UCONN did play Megan Walker that played PF. And Evina was a small PF too 6'0/6'1. And with that said Ducharme is 6'2 (and ofc we have the 2022 recruits also PF's). Anyhow Williams seems like sg/sf. Last year UCONN's SF was 5'10 CWill and SF never was a problem it seemed. But what do you mean by "connection?" She hasn't produced a list yet I think? So who does have a connection with her?

Kim Mulkey LSU in her home state.

 

[HopJim]

She's apparently a POI.

Jazzy a POI? She noted Stanford is her "dream school" on the video.

 

[BobbyJ]

At 6'0/6'1 UCONN did play Megan Walker that played PF. And Evina was a small PF too 6'0/6'1. And with that said Ducharme is 6'2 (and ofc we have the 2022 recruits also PF's). Anyhow Williams seems like sg/sf. Last year UCONN's SF was 5'10 CWill and SF never was a problem it seemed.

But what do you mean by "connection?" She hasn't produced a list yet I think? So who does have a connection with her?

Just that because Toomey, Shade, and Arnold have verbally committed, Auriemma has been out to see them play recently. And although Williams hasn't committed anywhere yet, if UConn was heavily recruiting the top player in the class they probably would have gotten someone from the staff out to see her play recently as well. If they did it probably would've popped up somewhere on social media by now and @Sluconn Husky would have been on it.

 

[Bald Husky]

Just that because Toomey, Shade, and Arnold have verbally committed, Auriemma has been out to see them play recently. And although Williams hasn't committed anywhere yet, if UConn was heavily recruiting the top player in the class they probably would have gotten someone from the staff out to see her play recently as well. If they did it probably would've popped up somewhere on social media by now and @Sluconn Husky would have been on it.

WHAT? When did Toomey commit?

 

[BobbyJ]

WHAT? When did Toomey commit?

Sorry, slip of the mind. Correct, she has not. Which puts her in Williams' uncommitted category and since GA has been out to see Toomey play and not Williams, it makes me question the connection with Williams.

 

[hoophuskee]

Just that because Toomey, Shade, and Arnold have verbally committed, Auriemma has been out to see them play recently. And although Williams hasn't committed anywhere yet, if UConn was heavily recruiting the top player in the class they probably would have gotten someone from the staff out to see her play recently as well. If they did it probably would've popped up somewhere on social media by now and @Sluconn Husky would have been on it.

I understand your point. And I understand what coco is saying (I definitely do see La mentioned with her as she has visited them) but I see no schools listed for Williams. But isn't UCONN Morgan Valley (on Aug 2021 recruiting thread posted by Slu) following her on Instagram? Or did she stop?

And has Toomey verbally committed?

Anyhow I tend to think there is another year for MW to decide and if she hasn't put out even a list yet and UCONN is following her on Instagram, I wouldn't count UCONN out.

 

[oldhusky]

Williams is a 6-0 guard. I'm sure UConn would take her in a nano second if she wanted to come and has an offer. I'm just not seeing any UConn connection with her as with Toomey, Shade, and Arnold from the '23 class.

I think we are interested in her, the question is more from her perspective. She would overlap with Fudd for two years and Shade for three. She could play the 3 easily, but Caroline would be there for a couple of years. The recruitment of all three of those players probably reduced the odds of getting Williams. To the extent she is still in the mix, I think Booker is still a factor. If Booker would commit to us, that might really end Williams interest in us, but I suspect our odds are better with Booker, more of a natural 3.

Williams would still be very high on my wish list, but at this point I expect us to make her short list, but may be just one of a half dozen schools with a chance, and not necessarily among the top couple with the best chance. Who knows, there has been minimal info on how Williams is thinking and who is on her potential short list. Time will tell.

 

[BobbyJ]

I understand your point. And I understand what coco is saying (I definitely do see La mentioned with her as she has visited them) but I see no schools listed for Williams. But isn't UCONN Morgan Valley (on Aug 2021 recruiting thread posted by Slu) following her on Instagram? Or did she stop?

And has Toomey verbally committed?

Anyhow I tend to think there is another year for MW to decide and if she hasn't put out even a list yet and UCONN is following her on Instagram, I wouldn't count UCONN out.

No, Toomey has not committed. That was my slip of mind. It appears that MW is keeping her recruitment low key but she is in the same class of ‘23 with all the kids I mentioned.

 

[CocoHusky]

I think we are interested in her, the question is more from her perspective. She would overlap with Fudd for two years and Shade for three. She could play the 3 easily, but Caroline would be there for a couple of years. The recruitment of all three of those players probably reduced the odds of getting Williams. To the extent she is still in the mix, I think Booker is still a factor. If Booker would commit to us, that might really end Williams interest in us, but I suspect our odds are better with Booker, more of a natural 3.
Williams would still be very high on my wish list, but at this point I expect us to make her short list, but may be just one of a half dozen schools with a chance, and not necessarily among the top couple with the best chance. Who knows, there has been minimal info on how Williams is thinking and who is on her potential short list. Time will tell.

Williams is the only HS junior still on the Naismith HS watch list and is being projected as a Maya Moore level talent. Bret McCormick of All Star Girls Report call her the best recruit he has ever seen. Regardless of where she ends ends up it is the other players that will have to worry about playing time not Mikaylah. It is also only a few short months ago that many BYers ( including me) were concerned about adequate minutes and shots for Azzi, Nika, Paige, Saylor, Aubrey & Caroline while still hoping that UCONN would still land Kiki Rice. Booker and Williams also project a MONSTER defenders ,UCONN could use either or both and I hope the UCONN staff is still heavily involved.

 

[HuskylnSC]

I don't disagree but the three best real bigs are Cunningham, Del Rosario, and Vasconcelos. Cunningham is in my opinion the only one who's a UConn level talent and I believe she'll stay on the west coast. If they can get Toomey they may have to hope for one or both of Booker and Kitts who are in the 6-1 to 6-2 range to get to a 5 player class.

I consider Booker in my grouping of 3 bigs. She is physical and can defend inside and grab rebounds. My preferred list for the 3 bigs is C, Cunningham, and Booker.

 

[Charliebball]

I'll take the bait. What makes you think Amari has more talent than she's shown so far ? Talent is typically the fist thing you see in a player. Can she get better , absolutely, can she be more talented I highly doubt it. Can she be a productive piece of the puzzle, for sure she can.

I've been following her from her soph year in high school.........she's got a sophisticated offensive arsenal that has yet to be seen in her limited minutes at UConn...........if there had been a need for her to play major minutes during the course of the season due to injury as was the case for CD, I'm pretty confident she'd be far more productive..............playing the final four minutes of every third game is not conducive to bringing out the best in any player....

 

[CocoHusky]

I consider Booker in my grouping of 3 bigs. She is physical and can defend inside and grab rebounds. My preferred list for the 3 bigs is C, Cunningham, and Booker.

That's three entirely different skills sets you are talking about here.
Cunning is a pure post who is not going to stray even to the Arc unless it is to set a screen.
C is going to be utilized as a stretch 4 type who can play all over the floor including in occasionally posting up.
Booker is a dynamic ball handling power wing and a monster perimeter defender. It would be an enormous waste of Booker's talent to put her in the post considering you have Ice, Patterson, AE and DeBerry on the roster.

 

[Mdoggie]

That's three entirely different skills sets you are talking about here.
Cunning is a pure post who is not going to stray even to the Arc unless it is to set a screen.
C is going to be utilized as a stretch 4 type who can play all over the floor including in occasionally posting up.
Booker is a dynamic ball handling power wing and a monster perimeter defender. It would be an enormous waste of Booker's talent to put her in the post considering you have Ice, Patterson, AE and DeBerry on the roster.

So what I’m hearing is C is a must get?

 

[HuskylnSC]

That's three entirely different skills sets you are talking about here.
Cunning is a pure post who is not going to stray even to the Arc unless it is to set a screen.
C is going to be utilized as a stretch 4 type who can play all over the floor including in occasionally posting up.
Booker is a dynamic ball handling power wing and a monster perimeter defender. It would be an enormous waste of Booker's talent to put her in the post considering you have Ice, Patterson, AE and DeBerry on the roster.

Agree whole heartedly. The disconnect in our posts is that I consider her a 3 but also a powerful player as opposed to Ashlyn and KK who fill the 1 and 2 roles. I originally said I want 3 bigs and considered Booker in that grouping. Your comments are why I consider C, Cunningham, Booker, Shade, and KK a perfect unit

 

[Huskie02]

Just that because Toomey, Shade, and Arnold have verbally committed, Auriemma has been out to see them play recently. And although Williams hasn't committed anywhere yet, if UConn was heavily recruiting the top player in the class they probably would have gotten someone from the staff out to see her play recently as well. If they did it probably would've popped up somewhere on social media by now and @Sluconn Husky would have been on it.

When did Toomey give a verbal commit?

 

[Dogstar]

When did Toomey give a verbal commit?

Does he know something tht the rest of us may be wanting to know? Withholding important info on the BY might be a infringement on some rules, I suggest the poster be brought in front of the moderators for questioning/torture to fully clarify the statement tht said poster has stated.

 

[BobbyJ]

When did Toomey give a verbal commit?

She didn't. I said in another post I'd had a slip of the mind.