July recruiting thread

[Sluconn Husky]

A writer breaks down the Blanca Thomas vs Sarah Strong matchup he saw Sunday. UConn was on hand.

Much more detailed analysis and videos in the article.



Strong went 4 of 18 from the field, 1 of 5 on three-pointers and 9 of 10 at the free-throw line en route to 18 points. She had 17 rebounds, five assists, eight steals and four turnovers in the loss.

Thomas finished with nine points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two turnovers in the win. She went 3 of 12 from the floor, 0 of 3 on three-pointers and she made 3 of 4 at the free-throw line.

Scouting videos: Junior post players Sarah Strong vs. Blanca Thomas

CONCORD — It isn't very often that two top 10 players from the state of North Carolina get the chance to battle it out.

ncstate.rivals.com

 

[CocoHusky]

A writer breaks down the Blanca Thomas vs Sarah Strong matchup he saw Sunday. UConn was on hand.

Much more detailed analysis and videos in the article.
Strong went 4 of 18 from the field, 1 of 5 on three-pointers and 9 of 10 at the free-throw line en route to 18 points. She had 17 rebounds, five assists, eight steals and four turnovers in the loss.

Thomas finished with nine points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two turnovers in the win. She went 3 of 12 from the floor, 0 of 3 on three-pointers and she made 3 of 4 at the free-throw line.

Scouting videos: Junior post players Sarah Strong vs. Blanca Thomas

CONCORD — It isn't very often that two top 10 players from the state of North Carolina get the chance to battle it out.

ncstate.rivals.com

Some really good observations contained in the article regarding both players. Thanks Slu.
If these two end up at the same college (as has been rumored) they are going to be a dual problem.
Pleasantly surprised to see Strong matched up against a player of her caliber and holding her own.
From the Article :
"Strong doesn’t always play against someone the size of Thomas, but she made some good adjustments. She faced the basket more and tried to avoid getting swallowed up inside, which did happen a few times. She shows good quickness in getting her shot off in the lane against taller foes. When she’s matched up against girls of equal height or smaller, it’s almost unfair.

Very surprised to see Thomas attempting 3 Deep ball in just one game because according to Max Prep she has only made 1 3PT FG in her first two season of high school ball.

 

[Bone Dog]

Excellent article and videos. It's not really fair to compare them head to head, since they're not natural assignments for each other. Neither one of them has really developed skills yet, especially on the offensive end. Strong is listed at 6'2" and Thomas at 6'5", but she looks to be 4 inches taller than Strong.

The aggressiveness of Strong's play is unmistakeable, as is the confidence with which she makes a quick move to the rim. In that respect, she seems a bit like Aneesah Morrow in temperament as well as build. Thomas, by contrast, is quite a reserved player, and often seems content to watch teammates work. She is a good shot blocker, and rebounder, but smaller players (including Strong) took the ball away from her under the boards a few times.

Judging them right now, Strong has the personality, the work ethic Geno would want right now. Thomas may develop it later.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

KK Arnold will compete for the 3x3 U-18 basketball team which plays in August.

 

[oldhusky]

HoopGurlz has Berry at #38, so maybe Geno is looking for her to back KK up at the point, giving KK the starting spot without a huge competition. KK has one year to learn from Paige, so he must be planning to just give her the position before Berry comes aboard.
.

I suspect the intended role might be backup to KK and Ashlyn after Paige, Nika and Azzi are gone.

 

[Mdoggie]

HoopGurlz has Berry at #38, so maybe Geno is looking for her to back KK up at the point, giving KK the starting spot without a huge competition. KK has one year to learn from Paige, so he must be planning to just give her the position before Berry comes aboard.
.

Learn what from Paige? How to dribble, shoot? Crossover? What? Please explain.

 

[CocoHusky]

KK Arnold will compete for the 3x3 U-18 basketball team which plays in August.

Participating in the women’s trials are Sunaja Agara, Kamorea ‘KK’ Arnold, Jasmine Davidson, Joyce Edwards, Katie Fiso, ZaKiyah Johnson, Chloe Kitts, Indya Nivar, Sarah Strong, Mikaylah Williams and Sahara Williams.

USA Basketball Announces 2022 3x3 U18 National Team Trials Rosters

USA Basketball announced today the athletes who will participate in the 2022 USA Basketball Men’s and Women’s 3x3 U18 National Team trials. Following trials, athletes will be selected to compete in the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup, which will take place in Debrecen, Hungary, from Aug. 23-28.

www.usab.com

 

[UConnCat]

 

[hard2please]

it must be berry pickin' season in tennessee

 

[erynlei4]

ZaKiyah Johnson (2025) has been offered

 

[Alydar]

Geno is trying to corner the market in guards for the next several years!

 

[Alydar]

ZaKiyah Johnson (2025) has been offered

From last March

On Wednesday, Johnson added another one to the case after the Sacred Heart freshman was selected as the Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year.

"She's not a freshman," Sacred Heart coach Donna Moir said following the Regional final. "She's just gone right into our team like she belonged. ... It sure is nice having her on our team."

That 2nd comment sounded like it was Cosgriff being quoted.

Sacred Heart's ZaKiyah Johnson named Gatorade Kentucky Girls Basketball Player of the Year

The Sacred Heart freshman is now the second Valkyrie to ever win the award and is in the running to be named the national Gatorade Player of the Year.

www.courier-journal.com

 

[Alydar]

Sacred Heart freshman ZaKiyah Johnson might be best player in state now; Cooper will focus on stopping Trinity Rowe

ZaKiyah Johnson, left, with Sacred Heart teammates Regan Bender and Angelina Pelayo during a visit to Louisville with coach Jeff Walz. (Twitter Photo)Anderson County coach Clay Birdwhistle thought ZaKiyah Johnson was the best rebounder in the state

www.yoursportsedge.com

3-10-22

Sacred Heart freshman ZaKiyah Johnson might be best player in state now; Cooper will focus on stopping Trinity Rowe​

Anderson County coach Clay Birdwhistle thought ZaKiyah Johnson was the best rebounder in the state during the 2020-21 season when she was only an eighth-grader at Shelby County and averaged 21.8 points (10th in the state) and 12.8 rebounds per game.

Obviously a player way ahead of her age group. For Geno to offer a rising sophomore says a lot. Listed 5'11" or 6'. As a freshman she's eligible to grow an inch or two more. Rebounding is a state of mind and she seems to have it.

Has Geno abandoned his reported dream of a playing 5 guards in favor of 5 guard/wings?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

 

[Mdoggie]

Maybe I missed it. Does Strong have an offer?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

 

[Sluconn Husky]

 

[Purchase1]

I just want to say the moves here remind me of Maya. Not saying she is the next or as good just very Maya like.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

This video short is from last summer:

Imari Berry c/o 2024 - Clarksville (TN) - BallN Across Borders - Memphis

BallN Across BordersTeam USA 2024 vs Team Canada 2024Imari Berry c/o 20245'11Clarksville High

www.youtube.com

 

[WFFL]

Offer = Committed ?

 

[HuskyNan]

Offer = Committed ?

No. She’s been offered a scholarship but hasn’t made a commitment, at least not publicly. And oral commitments aren’t binding. No one is a sure thing until she signs the Letter of Intent.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

 

[WFFL]

No. She’s been offered a scholarship but hasn’t made a commitment, at least not publicly. And oral commitments aren’t binding. No one is a sure thing until she signs the Letter of Intent.

Ahhh shucks the comments here and IG posts made me think she was ours .

 

[TeamFirst!]

Johnson looks to be as good as anyone I've seen recently in high school. At least in terms of projection as she is so young. A lot of development can take place in 2-3 years time in high school. She looks to be very special.

 

[Sluconn Husky]