For entertainment and curiosity purposes only, I’m interested in knowing who the posters here that follow the recruiting game, would like to see at UConn in the fall if they could get any two they desired from the 2022 class. I initially referred to the 2021 class. We’re done with that class.
Before a couple of announcements it might have been Betts and Jackson. Currently I say Patterson and either Rice or Bradford. I am more and more impressed by Patterson, and her defense on the perimeter and rebounding ability convinces me she could be a good three position player. Could hold her own at C, although probably not needed there, is more of a natural PF (same as Ice), and on defense can guard wings.
I could see her mostly being more of a 3/4 and Ice being a 4/5, so while there is some overlap, they could play together too. Rice might be considered a big point guard with the ability to get her own mid-range shot, a debatable long range shooter, but versatile enough and big enough to play three positions. That gives her a decent chance at finding playing time even if there is no natural spot she just slips into.
Bradford appears to be more of a natural SG, but one who is very strong as does much of her scoring taking it to the basket and from mid-range. I presume she could be an undersized SF. Both Rice and Bradford bring the size, strength, and skill to take it to the basket from the guard or wing position. Those skills might be an alternative or compliment to the perimeter shooting we should have next year with Azzi, Carolyn, and Saylor on board, to go with Paige and Anna.
I get the impression we have a shot at Patterson and Bradford, and might be on Rice's short list, but I would be pretty surprised if she came here. If Rice wants to play the point (Paige and Nika) or go to a top academic school like Stanford, I suspect we are a long-shot there. All of these players could see a difficult road to playing time and go elsewhere as a result.
The next tier of possibilities in my opinion are relatively unimportant to Uconn's future. They may be fine prospects, with a bright futures somewhere, but with the projected loaded roster are likely third teamers here.
That would be players like Paulina Paris and Imani Lester. If significant players depart, they could be relevant, but we don't know that yet.
I would just concentrate on those top three. It is not a disaster if the 2022 class is just Ice, particularly coming off two sensational classes with few roster spots or minutes available. If they get one of those three it is a very good recruiting year under the circumstances, and two would be another top notch class, perhaps ranked number 1. We don't necessarily "need" any of those players, they are icing on the cake at this point.
www.nj.com
She appears to be a s-t-u-d. She's BIG (6-2), has a tremendous motor, plays with a sense of urgency. She appears to already have a lot of the qualities you want in a PF/wing. How high is she on Geno's "want" list?