Hoopgurlz 2018 Rankings Updated

[southie]

2018 is definitely the year of the post players in the state of Texas. 2017 was the year of the point guard.

I do think Nalyssa Smith will end up selecting South Carolina; she has tweeted a lot about the Gamecocks since last Fall. Was surprised that Louisville and Ohio State made her top 4, but perhaps she wants to go out of state for college.

Queen Egbo is an interesting player; probably the most natural rebounder in the class. Whoever signs her instantly becomes a better rebounding team on both ends. I recall some of the schools who visited her at home last Fall included Baylor, Texas, Miss. State, UCLA and Florida, to name a few. Not sure why I feel this way, but I can see her ending up at MIss. State to play Coach Vic.

As for SG Zarielle Green, when I watched her play in the state championship game this past March, she reminded me of Sheryl Swoopes at that same age. Very lean and athletic body; long arms; extremely quick. Great anticipation on defense allows her to make some great steals. Very fluid player who has just about every shot, including plenty of confidence in her 3-point shot. Supposedly, she is friends with 2017 Texas A&M signee, Chennedy Carter, which explains why A&M is on her shortlist. With former Duncanville teammate, Ciera Johnson, announcing her transfer from Louisville to A&M, it seems like A&M is now in even better position for Zarielle.

 

[easttexastrash]

2018 is definitely the year of the post players in the state of Texas. 2017 was the year of the point guard.

I do think Nalyssa Smith will end up selecting South Carolina; she has tweeted a lot about the Gamecocks since last Fall. Was surprised that Louisville and Ohio State made her top 4, but perhaps she wants to go out of state for college.

Queen Egbo is an interesting player; probably the most natural rebounder in the class. Whoever signs her instantly becomes a better rebounding team on both ends. I recall some of the schools who visited her at home last Fall included Baylor, Texas, Miss. State, UCLA and Florida, to name a few. Not sure why I feel this way, but I can see her ending up at MIss. State to play Coach Vic.

As for SG Zarielle Green, when I watched her play in the state championship game this past March, she reminded me of Sheryl Swoopes at that same age. Very lean and athletic body; long arms; extremely quick. Great anticipation on defense allows her to make some great steals. Very fluid player who has just about every shot, including plenty of confidence in her 3-point shot. Supposedly, she is friends with 2017 Texas A&M signee, Chennedy Carter, which explains why A&M is on her shortlist. With former Duncanville teammate, Ciera Johnson, announcing her transfer from Louisville to A&M, it seems like A&M is now in even better position for Zarielle.

You feel that way because you don't want to see her at Baylor.

I think Smith and Egbo end up at Baylor as a package deal. That would sure make the Big 12 interesting for a few years. Not sure how a McCoy transfer to Baylor could affect their decision, though. I have that same feeling about McCoy and Kim has plenty of scholarships to let sis tag along.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Zarielle Green reminds me of Diamond Deshields. Very athletic, skilled, looks like a pro, struggles making shots.

 

[mag 7]

Breanna Beal in '19. The last Illinois recruit turned out pretty well. She seems to have a lot of the qualities of a UConn player - unselfish, motivated, team player. Plus it might just bring UConn to the Midwest for a game at some point. Every other year in Chicago is nice but we'd love to see more. I have long wished UConn to play in B1G as I am in driving distance of 4-5 Big 10 schools. Dreaming.

 

[SCspur]

Zarielle Green reminds me of Diamond Deshields. Very athletic, skilled, looks like a pro, struggles making shots.

I would say she reminds me of Jewel Loyd. Athletic, Highly Skilled ,competitive basketball player who can make big shots.

 

[Dillon77]

Breanna Beal in '19. The last Illinois recruit turned out pretty well. She seems to have a lot of the qualities of a UConn player - unselfish, motivated, team player. Plus it might just bring UConn to the Midwest for a game at some point. Every other year in Chicago is nice but we'd love to see more. I have long wished UConn to play in B1G as I am in driving distance of 4-5 Big 10 schools. Dreaming.

In 2019, there's a lot of highly rated talent in the Midwest at the guard positions. More than 1/3 of the most recent HG 25 are from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and/or Ohio.

- 6'0" Wing Breanna Beal of Illinois;
- 6'1" Guard Kierstan Bell of Ohio;
- 5'10" PG Anaya Peoples of Illinois;
- 6'1" G Jordon Horston of Ohio;
- 6'2" Wing Rickea Jackson of Michigan;
- 6'1" Wing Sammie Puisis of Ohio (a HS foe and AAU teammate of 2018 ND commit Abby Prohaska);
- 5'9" PG Rikki Harris of Indiana;
- 5'7" PG Zia Cooke of Ohio; and,
- 5'6" PG Shaila Beeler of Indiana.



Like you, I wouldn't mind if the Irish would switch conferences either, but it would also require a time travel...back to the old Big East. I'm based in northern NJ and used to be able to see the Irish visit three teams that were within an hour's drive (Seton Hall, Rutgers, St. John's); another -- Villanova -- that I could get to in 90 minutes on a good day; and, yes even trips to the "heartland" of Connecticut to see the Huskies.

 

[CocoHusky]

If you guys land Williams in addition to Collier, 2018-19 might beat out 2000-01 and 2015-16 as the most talented UConn roster ever:

Projected 2018-19 rotation:
C-Stevens/C. Collier
KLS/Camara
N. Collier
G/ Walker/Williams/Coombs
G-Dangerfield

That lineup has:
-3 number one overall recruits
-a #2 recruit
-a #3 recruit
-Two other (likely) All Americans in the lineup in Stevens and N. Collier.

I have to quibble a little. For sheer talent I would put 2013-14 roster well ahead of 15-16 and at least equal to 2000-01 UCONN rosters because '13-'14 had:

• All five starters ( Hartley, Jefferson, KML, Dolson, Stewie) was or would become Multiple time All-American.
• The bench included 4 quality players ( Chong, Banks, Stokes, & Tuck-who was injured and missed most of the year)

BTW the 08-09 roster was pretty deep also and if a certain UCONN recruit had not transferred it would have made both of our points irrelevant.

 

[meyers7]

If you guys land Williams in addition to Collier, 2018-19 might beat out 2000-01 and 2015-16 as the most talented UConn roster ever:

Projected 2018-19 rotation:
C-Stevens/C. Collier
KLS/Camara
N. Collier
G/ Walker/Williams/Coombs
G-Dangerfield

That lineup has:
-3 number one overall recruits
-a #2 recruit
-a #3 recruit
-Two other (likely) All Americans in the lineup in Stevens and N. Collier.

Sounds good to me.

 

[Blaneylover]

If you guys land Williams in addition to Collier, 2018-19 might beat out 2000-01 and 2015-16 as the most talented UConn roster ever:

Projected 2018-19 rotation:
C-Stevens/C. Collier
KLS/Camara
N. Collier
G/ Walker/Williams/Coombs
G-Dangerfield

That lineup has:
-3 number one overall recruits
-a #2 recruit
-a #3 recruit
-Two other (likely) All Americans in the lineup in Stevens and N. Collier.

That would be unreal.

 

[Florida Fan]

NOTRE DAME is well represented among the committed athletes, their recruiting draw continues.

 

[Orangutan]

NOTRE DAME is well represented among the committed athletes, their recruiting draw continues.

Yep (because I was already going to post this and then saw your post), ND's commits are ranked as follows.

Jenna Brown (PG) - #11
Katlyn Gilbert (G) - #24
Danielle Cosgrove (F) - #52
Abby Prohaska (G) - NR

Looking good so far and aiming to grab one or two more...

 

[Orangutan]

If you guys land Williams in addition to Collier, 2018-19 might beat out 2000-01 and 2015-16 as the most talented UConn roster ever:

Projected 2018-19 rotation:
C-Stevens/C. Collier
KLS/Camara
N. Collier
G/ Walker/Williams/Coombs
G-Dangerfield

That lineup has:
-3 number one overall recruits
-a #2 recruit
-a #3 recruit
-Two other (likely) All Americans in the lineup in Stevens and N. Collier.

In that event, would BYers still protest that UConn doesn't get all the top talent?

(Personally, I would say "yeah, and what of it?" if I were a UConn fan in that scenario - but that's how I'm wired as a Chelsea fan, lol).

 

[oldude]

In that event, would BYers still protest that UConn doesn't get all the top talent?

(Personally, I would say "yeah, and what of it?" if I were a UConn fan in that scenario - but that's how I'm wired as a Chelsea fan, lol).

Of course not. UConn just gets a lot of really nice kids, that also happen to be among the very best WBB players in their class.

 

[Niles]

Of course not. UConn just gets a lot of really nice kids, that also happen to be among the very best WBB players in their class.

With the projected recruiting classes from other schools ( including top 5 ) it appears when all said and done, Uconn will still be the number one choice to win the championship for years to come.
To me that's all that matters.

PS. Great info on future recruits

 

[nwhoopfan]

Has anyone seen Andrea Aquino play lately? She is 6'9" and headed to corvallis next year to team up with Slocum but I didn't think she was that good. She went from being unranked to top 10 in less than a year and ahead of 6'7 Sedona Prince who has been on the scene for a while now. Did Scott Rueck just land his best recruit yet?

Based on the way projects like Ruth Hamblin and Marie Gulich developed, I'm excited to see how Aquino will do in Corvallis. I believe they have a 6-8 juco transfer that will be joining the team next year, so in '18-'19 they could have a twin towers.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

Is it my imagination, or did Andrea Espinosa-Hunter make a big move up the rankings for 2017?

Not your imagination. She went from 40 something I believe (maybe 30) to number 16 in the new 2017 rankings.

We must keep in mind that AEH was big for the u16 team a few years back. She may have been top scorer for team USA. I think she led in minutes as well and then a coaching and team change for u17 left her off. Word was they wanted all new blood but that didn't work out so well as they didn't win gold. Bottom line; she will be a great player.

 

[Bestiarius]

Based on the way projects like Ruth Hamblin and Marie Gulich developed, I'm excited to see how Aquino will do in Corvallis. I believe they have a 6-8 juco transfer that will be joining the team next year, so in '18-'19 they could have a twin towers.

UhOh, remember what happened to the original twin towers.

 

[JustinesGuy]

UhOh, remember what happened to the original twin towers.

Talking about twin towers....Anyone remember Heather and Heidi Burge. I remember watching them play one game on TV(probably the first women game I ever watched) and saying to myself wow women's basketball is terrible/sucks. Keep in mind I was probably in 6th grade and watching Jordan and company. I do have to say WCB has come along way or at least my interest in Uconn women's team.

 

[nwhoopfan]

UhOh, remember what happened to the original twin towers.

Yeah, they probably wouldn't be on the floor at the same time much. Hamblin and Gulic rarely played beside each other in '15-'16.

 

[Charliebball]

Yeah, they probably wouldn't be on the floor at the same time much. Hamblin and Gulic rarely played beside each other in '15-'16.

Don't get too excited.........Aquino is going to need quite a bit of work to become an impact player at the major college level.............

 

[nwhoopfan]

Don't get too excited....Aquino is going to need quite a bit of work to become an impact player at the major college level...

See Hamblin. She was a like a zero star recruit coming out of high school, from some tiny village up north in British Columbia that you can't even find on a map. I'm not too worried about Aquino becoming an impact player.

 

[CocoHusky]

Based on the way projects like Ruth Hamblin and Marie Gulich developed, I'm excited to see how Aquino will do in Corvallis. I believe they have a 6-8 juco transfer that will be joining the team next year, so in '18-'19 they could have a twin towers.

Oregon state has 6'8" Joanna Grymek 3rd Team AA from JUCO coming in also. Grymek and Aquino will only overlap for 1 year at OSU however.
Womens Basketball: 6’8 Center Joanna Grymek Commits to Oregon St

 

[nwhoopfan]

Oregon state has 6'8" Joanna Grymek 3rd Team AA from JUCO coming in also. Grymek and Aquino will only overlap for 1 year at OSU however.
Womens Basketball: 6’8 Center Joanna Grymek Commits to Oregon St

Yes, by next year I was referring to the '17-'18 season, and I realize the two really tall players will only overlap by 1 year. Thanks for the link.

edited--according to that article she has 3 years of eligibility remaining, only played one season of juco ball

 

[CocoHusky]

edited--according to that article she has 3 years of eligibility remaining, only played one season of juco ball

The date of the article is October 2016, meaning she committed before playing 16-17 JUCO season. She was just named JUCO AA for 16-17 season and is listed as JUCO sophomore.
2016-17 NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball All-America Teams

 

[nwhoopfan]

OK, got it. Gulic/Grymek will overlap one year and then Grymek/Aquino will overlap one year. They'll have plenty of size for the foreseeable future.

 

[southie]

You feel that way because you don't want to see her at Baylor.

I think Smith and Egbo end up at Baylor as a package deal. That would sure make the Big 12 interesting for a few years. Not sure how a McCoy transfer to Baylor could affect their decision, though. I have that same feeling about McCoy and Kim has plenty of scholarships to let sis tag along.

Well, no McCoy to worry about now.

Baylor's depth chart in the frontcourt does lend itself to signing one or two 2018 recruits who don't mind backing up Kalani Brown for one year and Lauren Cox for two years. There's gonna be competition no matter what at most programs.

Maybe Nalyssa and Queen both end at Baylor. I've just had the feeling for a while that both end up out of state at different schools.

Queen Egbo is such an interesting prospect to me. Her rebounding abilities and stats are just unreal. She might be a little undersized to play Center in college, so not sure where she is best suited in college. She's definitely not a stretch four player. But, she runs the floor very well. And, her ability to block shots definitely makes her a defensive presence in the paint.

 

[easttexastrash]

Well, no McCoy to worry about now.

Baylor's depth chart in the frontcourt does lend itself to signing one or two 2018 recruits who don't mind backing up Kalani Brown for one year and Lauren Cox for two years. There's gonna be competition no matter what at most programs.

Maybe Nalyssa and Queen both end at Baylor. I've just had the feeling for a while that both end up out of state at different schools.

Queen Egbo is such an interesting prospect to me. Her rebounding abilities and stats are just unreal. She might be a little undersized to play Center in college, so not sure where she is best suited in college. She's definitely not a stretch four player. But, she runs the floor very well. And, her ability to block shots definitely makes her a defensive presence in the paint.

Thanks for the footage. She looks taller than 6-2 to me.