Kaleena Smith unofficial visit to UConn this weekend

[maxw]

https://247sports.com/article/2027-no-1-prospect-kaleena-smith-sets-uconn-unofficial-visit-244241873/

She's bringing another top recruit with her, her teammate Sydney Douglas.

Hope they have a good time and a favorable impression of UConn.

Wonder how the warm weather girls will take to the below freezing temps in Storrs. UCLA and USC have become new threats to the traditional powers (UConn, South Car, ND, etc.).

 

[Charliebball]

Smith is as important a talent as Paige, and the "Bean" is in the Collier mold........two incredibly impactful recruits who would ensure UConn's future as a topflight program..

 

[Zarathustra]

Some discussion has had Kaleena and the "BEAN" going to
the same College/ University... Talk about INSTANT
CREDIBILITY!!!

 

[BobbyJ]

https://247sports.com/article/2027-no-1-prospect-kaleena-smith-sets-uconn-unofficial-visit-244241873/

She's bringing another top recruit with her, her teammate Sydney Douglas.

Hope they have a good time and a favorable impression of UConn.

Wonder how the warm weather girls will take to the below freezing temps in Storrs. UCLA and USC have become new threats to the traditional powers (UConn, South Car, ND, etc.).

It's a nice convenient side trip for them since their HS team, Ontario Christian is playing this weekend right up the road in Springfield MA. They should bring teammate Tatianna Griffin a 6-0 guard with them. She's possibly the best freshman in the country. The recruiting and NIL battle for those 3 between UCLA and USC will be insane.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Boy you want to bet the farm trying to get those 2!
That's a lot of talent in those two bodies!
They're a franchise maker!

 

[Blakeon18]

I hope we get a report on how Ontario does in Springfield. I used to go that event when I lived in the area...the
boys' teams played several games...I think. The girls' team played only one. Every team was elite.
There were numerous coaches...men/women...in the building...a great atmosphere, I got to see quite a few UConn future stars..including Tina Charles, Breanna Stewart etc. Uhh...Elena Delle Donne as well.

An enterprising Horde member should go to the girls' game...and provide us some info on their games.

 

[ucbart]

Sydney's mom is Maylana Martin? She was on the court at Gampel in December, 1999, when Swin Cash made the basket on the wrong end. She was also part of the UCLA team that, the season prior, we went to UCLA and each team scored over 100. Svetlana had 39 and Shead had like 32 points(IIRC). May and Janae Hubbard were a pretty good frontcourt. That was peak UCONN WBB for me(as I'm the same age as that era of players).

 

[meyers7]

I hope we get a report on how Ontario does in Springfield. I used to go that event when I lived in the area...the
boys' teams played several games...I think. The girls' team played only one. Every team was elite.
There were numerous coaches...men/women...in the building...a great atmosphere, I got to see quite a few UConn future stars..including Tina Charles, Breanna Stewart etc. Uhh...Elena Delle Donne as well.

An enterprising Horde member should go to the girls' game...and provide us some info on their games.

Been to a couple of them myself. Saw Charles also. I went to watch a UCONN recruit (can't remember her name right now, maybe Gay?, ok yes that's it Carrem Gay). She was a Sr and ended up at Duke. But there was this Jr there, Charles. I thought forget recruiting this Sr, let's get this Jr. (and we did)

Ontario is playing Christ the King, today. (I'm busy being a taxi service for the wife today, so I'll miss it.) Christ the King with Vukoso.

Also Sidwell Friends (DC) and Archbishop Middy (CA). Wiliczko plays for Middy. Jordan Jackson and Autumn Fleary play for Sidwell.

Lot's of good players in town.

Oh shoot, missed it. IMG Academy is playing on Sunday. That's Fisher's team.

 

[HuskyNan]

Been to a couple of them myself. Saw Charles also. I went to watch a UCONN recruit (can't remember her name right now, maybe Gay?, ok yes that's it Carrem Gay). She was a Sr and ended up at Duke. But there was this Jr there, Charles. I thought forget recruiting this Sr, let's get this Jr. (and we did)

Ontario is playing Christ the King, today. (I'm busy being a taxi service for the wife today, so I'll miss it.) Christ the King with Vukoso.

Also Sidwell Friends (DC) and Archbishop Middy (CA). Wiliczko plays for Middy. Jordan Jackson and Autumn Fleary play for Sidwell.

Lot's of good players in town.

Oh shoot, missed it. IMG Academy is playing on Sunday. That's Fisher's team.

Wolizko didn’t list UConn among her final 12. Alas, she won’t be playing, McKenna Wolizko recently tore her ACL

 

[Conndog]

Smith is as important a talent as Paige, and the "Bean" is in the Collier mold........two incredibly impactful recruits who would ensure UConn's future as a topflight program..

In the Collier mode is great already, but 6’5 as 15 year old? More, please!

 

[bschwartz]

Getting Smith, IMHO, would be one of the greatest and funniest UCONN recruiting coups since Maya's ESPN tour, given Smith's financial relationship and connection with Candace Parker. May she become a Husky right before the Tennessee game, lol.

 

[CL82]

Some discussion has had Kaleena and the "BEAN" going to
the same College/ University... Talk about INSTANT
CREDIBILITY!!!

Kaleena and the Bean sounds like a 70s sitcom name.

 

[donalddoowop]

Been to a couple of them myself. Saw Charles also. I went to watch a UCONN recruit (can't remember her name right now, maybe Gay?, ok yes that's it Carrem Gay). She was a Sr and ended up at Duke. But there was this Jr there, Charles. I thought forget recruiting this Sr, let's get this Jr. (and we did)

Ontario is playing Christ the King, today. (I'm busy being a taxi service for the wife today, so I'll miss it.) Christ the King with Vukoso.

Also Sidwell Friends (DC) and Archbishop Middy (CA). Wiliczko plays for Middy. Jordan Jackson and Autumn Fleary play for Sidwell.

Lot's of good players in town.

Oh shoot, missed it. IMG Academy is playing on Sunday. That's Fisher's team.

Napheesa Collier's alma mater, Incarnate Word Academy, is playing on Monday at 8:00 CT. They have won 140 consecutive games, the longest winning streak in girl's high school basketball history. Their opponent is Etiwanda. (sp)

 

[Drumguy]

https://247sports.com/article/2027-no-1-prospect-kaleena-smith-sets-uconn-unofficial-visit-244241873/

She's bringing another top recruit with her, her teammate Sydney Douglas.

Hope they have a good time and a favorable impression of UConn.

Wonder how the warm weather girls will take to the below freezing temps in Storrs. UCLA and USC have become new threats to the traditional powers (UConn, South Car, ND, etc.).

I'm not sure USC and UCLA will be viewed as favorably after the fires. LA will be in tough shape for years now.

 

[ERWUC65]

Noted another player in her world that has offers from everyone except UConn. Anyone know why?

Amari Byles​

 

[HopJim]

Just speculation. With Azzi and Paige two of the largest recipients of NIL money, got to believe that UConn has the knowledge and proven track record to one of the growing factors in Top10 recruiting.

 

[Tonyc]

This is a big deal. Kaleena is a big time star. At UConn Geno can develop her far beyond where she is now and far beyond where she thinks she can be. There is no place like UConn to be developed. When yo look at the banners and the wall and the records and the history…,, well there is nothing like it. Become someone special. Become a UConn Husky.

 

[darrell]

Just speculation. With Azzi and Paige two of the largest recipients of NIL money, got to believe that UConn has the knowledge and proven track record to one of the growing factors in Top10 recruiting.

UConn has a fan base like none other. It used to consist of people who were around to witness the golden years, but the age of social media has brought in a ton of new fans. I believe they’re the most “followed” women’s team across all platforms.

 

[hookshot]

This is a big deal. Kaleena is a big time star. At UConn Geno can develop her far beyond where she is now and far beyond where she thinks she can be. There is no place like UConn to be developed. When yo look at the banners and the wall and the records and the history…,, well there is nothing like it. Become someone special. Become a UConn Husky.

I'm thinking that she's thinking that she can be "far beyond" what your thinking, regardless that Geno looks like her Grandfather

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Some comments above has gotten this 77 year old brain thinking what will these LA fires do to recruiting for UCLA and USC and other area Colleges?
The devastation is so huge it's like a war zone!
Or will the fires tend to keep area players closer to home and family?
Oh something to ponder on a cold winter's night!

 

[HuskyNan]

UConn has a fan base like none other. It used to consist of people who were around to witness the golden years, but the age of social media has brought in a ton of new fans. I believe they’re the most “followed” women’s team across all platforms.

From the 2023 annual report

UConn Athletics | 2023 Annual Report

UConn Huskies Annual ReportOur passion and commitment define UConn’s excellence. Our student-athletes, dedicated coaches, and die-hard fans have helped dist ...

annualreport.uconnhuskies.com

 

[Huskie02]

https://247sports.com/article/2027-no-1-prospect-kaleena-smith-sets-uconn-unofficial-visit-244241873/

She's bringing another top recruit with her, her teammate Sydney Douglas.

Hope they have a good time and a favorable impression of UConn.

Wonder how the warm weather girls will take to the below freezing temps in Storrs. UCLA and USC have become new threats to the traditional powers (UConn, South Car, ND, etc.).

Were thy there? I didn’t hear anyone mention their presence in the pregame show or commentators during the game. Did I miss something.

 

[hookshot]

Were thy there? I didn’t hear anyone mention their presence in the pregame show or commentators during the game. Did I miss something.

I was at game near Uconn bench. Row behind bench had a likely coach and a couple kids but not sure if they fit the description. Taller girl did not seem 6.5" but hard to say. Gampel badged personnel were interacting. Also with a smaller girl who seemed to be with parent(s) a couple rows further up. I realize that this is useless info so hoping somebody else has better story. Post game CD on radio interview was not asked and did not offer anything on this topic

 

[MilfordHusky]

Special K is about 5'6"

 

[MilfordHusky]

Bean is nearly 6'6".