New school commitments by Transfers - March 2024

[WBBTakeover]

SO...a coach's resume is tied to one player?

Nobody said that as an absolute. But--is his? I think so, yes. He wasn't doing much of anything at Virginia Tech (again, zero trips to the NCAA Tournament; horrible ACC record) without a generational player (again, a player who won three ACC POY awards--something that only Alana Beard and Alyssa Thomas have achieved). He did a very good job at James Madison, but they were never a threat to advance beyond the first weekend. So yes, his resume right now is tied to what he accomplished with a generational talent at Virginia Tech. Kentucky didn't care about what he accomplished at James Madison.

He doesn't get the Kentucky job without what Liz was able to do for him, and I'm sure he knows that. Allegedly (according to Virginia Tech insiders), he stopped speaking to the young woman (Matilda Ekh) who delivered the pass to Liz Kitley on the fast break that lead to her injuring her ACL. If that doesn't suggest that he knows she made his Virginia Tech career what is was, then I don't know what else does.

I think I'm reasonable and fair. So, I consider OTHER factors. Did they elevate the program at the helm...meaning where they were before and after. Player development. Did they make players better? Did they grow interest in the game with their fanbase?

Virginia Tech had gone dormant after being a strong program (with great fan support) in the late 90s (under Bonnie Hendrickson) while competing in the Big East. The move to the ACC was a little rough for them, and they cycled through two underperforming coaches until they signed Kenny. Kenny himself struggled until he was able to land Liz Kitley (a talent that neither of the two previous coaches--Dunkenberger or Wolff--were able to land). Liz wasn't as highly ranked as some would've expected, so yes--there had to be player development. By that same token, there had to be a sense that they'd hit the jackpot with a player who may have been underranked.

Most teams without good players (generational or otherwise, don't make it out of the first weekend. Doesn't mean the coach is bad or that they lack vision.

Most midmajor coaches will never coach a first round WNBA player who manages to hang around the league for a decade. He had that at James Madison yet never won an NCAA Tournament game with her (two WNIT appearances and missed the tournament her freshman year).

With the possible exception of Elena Delle Donne, I don't think we've seen a generational talent in recent years miss the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. They're called generational for a reason.

Edit: Actually, EDD made it as well with the Delaware Blue Hens. They lost in the Sweet 16 to...Kentucky.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

His resume, outside of one generational player (a three-time ACC POY, which has only ever been done by two other women), is fairly thin. Zero trips outside of the first weekend and not one NCAAT berth at a P5 without that one generational player.

Kentucky struggled the last two seasons (everyone knows this), but they do have a very recent SEC Tournament championship and a very recent #1 overall pick in the WNBA (who won two SEC POY awards and was a consensus AA). What is he going to bring to that program that they haven't already had in some capacity?

This year, who knows? He over-performed at JMU, he upgraded Virginia Tech (including the good recruits you mention), he can have success at Kentucky. Is he bringing anything they haven't had (before these 2 years) - maybe not.

I'm not assuming a huge success this season, it will depend on recruiting. But to disrespect what is a perfectly respectable record I just don't understand, and to assume a dim future I also don't understand. Virginia Tech wasn't worth being mentioned before he arrived.

 

[WBBTakeover]

This year, who knows? He over-performed at JMU, he upgraded Virginia Tech (including the good recruits you mention), he can have success at Kentucky. Is he bringing anything they haven't had (before these 2 years) - maybe not.

I'm not assuming a huge success this season, it will depend on recruiting. But to disrespect what is a perfectly respectable record I just don't understand, and to assume a dim future I also don't understand. Virginia Tech wasn't worth being mentioned before he arrived.

Is he bringing with him a two-time SEC POY and #1 overall WNBA draft pick? Very unlikely.

Is he going to be winning SEC championships in the absence of elite players? Very unlikely.

Did he have a winning season in the ACC without a truly elite player (a 6'6 one at that)? No. He arrived at Virginia Tech several years before Liz Kitley did and did not achieve squat in the ACC.

Does he have an elite player at Kentucky? It's hard to say, but I'd say no.

So, what have we learned? You need elite talent to compete for and ultimately win conference titles, especially in a conference like the SEC. When Kenny was able to win conference titles at Virginia Tech, he had truly elite talent. Looking at the current roster, it's hard to see where the "loading up" or knocking it out of the park references come into play. The roster doesn't look promising to me--it looks like a lack of vision. His best player is moving to a new conference that will be more demanding (physically and mentally) on her. She is undersized and not athletic enough to compensate while going up against some great guard/wing talent. The midmajor transfers may not translate to the SEC (it wouldn't be the first that that that's happened), and one of them plays the same position as his best player. The P5 transfer is a flat out bust.

This man isn't some coaching genius just because he won with a generational talent and Kentucky isn't somehow destined for greatness just because they chose him to lead them.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Nobody said that as an absolute. But--is his? I think so, yes. He wasn't doing much of anything at Virginia Tech (again, zero trips to the NCAA Tournament; horrible ACC record) without a generational player (again, a player who won three ACC POY awards--something that only Alana Beard and Alyssa Thomas have achieved). He did a very good job at James Madison, but they were never a threat to advance beyond the first weekend. So yes, his resume right now is tied to what he accomplished with a generational talent at Virginia Tech. Kentucky didn't care about what he accomplished at James Madison.

He doesn't get the Kentucky job without what Liz was able to do for him, and I'm sure he knows that. Allegedly (according to Virginia Tech insiders), he stopped speaking to the young woman (Matilda Ekh) who delivered the pass to Liz Kitley on the fast break that lead to her injuring her ACL. If that doesn't suggest that he knows she made his Virginia Tech career what is was, then I don't know what else does.


Virginia Tech had gone dormant after being a strong program (with great fan support) in the late 90s (under Bonnie Hendrickson) while competing in the Big East. The move to the ACC was a little rough for them, and they cycled through two underperforming coaches until they signed Kenny. Kenny himself struggled until he was able to land Liz Kitley (a talent that neither of the two previous coaches--Dunkenberger or Wolff--were able to land). Liz wasn't as highly ranked as some would've expected, so yes--there had to be player development. By that same token, there had to be a sense that they'd hit the jackpot with a player who may have been underranked.


Most midmajor coaches will never coach a first round WNBA player who manages to hang around the league for a decade. He had that at James Madison yet never won an NCAA Tournament game with her (two WNIT appearances and missed the tournament her freshman year).

With the possible exception of Elena Delle Donne, I don't think we've seen a generational talent in recent years miss the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. They're called generational for a reason.

Edit: Actually, EDD made it as well with the Delaware Blue Hens. They lost in the Sweet 16 to...Kentucky.

So you want to return to the 90s during the infancy of his career...and not always as a head coach? Give me a break. There's nothing from that time to the present that supports your statement regarding his vision. And IMO. Kitley is a really good player, but by my standards, not generational. I'm not following all these coaching changes, but amongst them who would have been a better choice? And no disrespect, but I don't do the insider rumor thing. Everybody's an insider of social media detective these days.

 

[cancontent]

Does anyone have insight on Houston's style of play? Curious as to whether it would suit a player like Bostock.

 

[packwrap]

You guys really don't like Kenny Brooks. Generally a coach gets credit for bringing in a top recruit and producing wins with that player. Say Bluder at Iowa, Gottlieb at USC.

EDD a generational player? The term is overused, but it means a 'once in a generation' player, so you get to pick one generational player every 15 years. Will be tough to pick just one from Clark, Paige, Juju etc.

Most recent generational players, choose between Stewie, Wilson, Moore and Candace Parker, but pick one best player of the generation.

24/25 Kentucky. Given Brooks behind 8 ball, I think he's built a top half of Sec team with his v tech followers and transfers adds. Can that team hang with Vanderbilt? We will see.

 

[WBBTakeover]

No, I don't like Kenny Brooks. Do I think he's a good coach? Yes. Do I think he's had success in his career? Yes. But given what I've learned of his antics while at Virginia Tech (which I won't discuss here), I can do without him. Don't even want him in small doses. Do not wish him well at Kentucky.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

No, I don't like Kenny Brooks. Do I think he's a good coach? Yes. Do I think he's had success in his career? Yes. But given what I've learned of his antics while at Virginia Tech (which I won't discuss here), I can do without him. Don't even want him in small doses. Do not wish him well at Kentucky.

lol...so next time just say...I don't like the guy.

 

[WBBTakeover]

EDD a generational player? The term is overused, but it means a 'once in a generation' player, so you get to pick one generational player every 15 years. Will be tough to pick just one from Clark, Paige, Juju etc.

Most recent generational players, choose between Stewie, Wilson, Moore and Candace Parker, but pick one best player of the generation.

How many players can get Delaware WBB to a Sweet 16? Kenny didn't sniff a Sweet 16 until last season when he had a generational talent.

What would you call a player who is only one of three 3-time ACC POY winners in the history of the award? Alana Beard (2002-04), Alyssa Thomas (2012-14), and Liz Kitley (2022-24). Is that not--generational?

 

[WBBTakeover]

lol...so next time just say...I don't like the guy.

How about, "I don't like Kenny Brooks and I don't believe, based on what he's done in his career and what he's done with the roster thus far, that he'll get the job done at Kentucky". Better?

 

[jdote33]

Iowa State picked up two of the best shooters in the portal. Very underrated summer.

 

[packwrap]

How many players can get Delaware WBB to a Sweet 16? Kenny didn't sniff a Sweet 16 until last season when he had a generational talent.

What would you call a player who is only one of three 3-time ACC POY winners in the history of the award? Alana Beard (2002-04), Alyssa Thomas (2012-14), and Liz Kitley (2022-24). Is that not--generational?

I like both Kitley and EDD, but neither is on a USA generational player level. Would you pick EDD over Parker, Stewart, Moore, and Wilson as best player of that generation?

Kitley over Boston, Clark, Brink, Betts, Cardoso, Paige? Kitley may not make it in the WNBA.

EDD was a bit like Morrow at DePaul, of course even better. The best player of her college class, accidentally playing at Delaware. So yes she lifted a normally terrible team to new heights.

Kitley will go down as an all time acc player, but not generational. She did lift tech to top of acc. Is Kitley the best player of her 15 year generation? Probably Boston is better, Brink?

generational comes down to how you define it. Goat is best ever, player of the year, player of the decade, all acc, all American, player of a generation all mean something. I just hate to see generational- which is supposed to mean best player of a 15yr generation, get watered down to mean acc player of the year.

 

[BRS24]

 

[nwhoopfan]

EDD is a 2 time WNBA MVP, led 2 different teams to the Finals. Her career has very much been sidetracked by injuries and ongoing dealing with Lyme's disease. Multiple Olympic gold medals as well. Kitley might be lucky to make a WNBA roster. If I was a gambling man I would put everything on her pro career won't be remotely close to EDD's. Can't put those 2 in the same breath, I don't care how many ACC POY's Kitley won.

 

[triaddukefan]

Nobody said that as an absolute. But--is his? I think so, yes. He wasn't doing much of anything at Virginia Tech (again, zero trips to the NCAA Tournament; horrible ACC record) without a generational player (again, a player who won three ACC POY awards--something that only Alana Beard and Alyssa Thomas have achieved). He did a very good job at James Madison, but they were never a threat to advance beyond the first weekend. So yes, his resume right now is tied to what he accomplished with a generational talent at Virginia Tech. Kentucky didn't care about what he accomplished at James Madison.

Kitley won 3 player of the year awards in FIVE years. Beard and Thomas won playing 4 years. I just gotta point that out.

 

[Rooster C.]

I've always seen Kitley in the same league as Elissa Cunane. Great dominant ACC bigs who can probably play in the WNBA after some overseas seasoning similar to Gustaffson. Even Coates(SC), Brown and Cox(Baylor) needed to improve before playing in the WNBA. I would say all of those bigs are comparable. Kitley has a better outside shot than they did coming out of college but I wouldn't consider her above them at this stage in her career.

 

[triaddukefan]

 

[WBBTakeover]

I like both Kitley and EDD, but neither is on a USA generational player level. Would you pick EDD over Parker, Stewart, Moore, and Wilson as best player of that generation?

Kitley over Boston, Clark, Brink, Betts, Cardoso, Paige? Kitley may not make it in the WNBA.

What are you saying here?

Are you suggesting that EDD is not to be discussed among those mentioned? She is a two-time WNBA MVP, a 2019 WNBA champ, and an Olympic gold medalist from 2016. She has the 50-40-90 season that nobody you listed has accomplished. She may lack the number of titles that those players have, but Candace Parker didn't win a single championship until she was 30 (her last one came at age 37 when she didn't play a minute in the WNBA postseason). EDD won her first when she was 30. She's 35 now, so there's still hope for her to work on that part of her resume.

That said, she would not be my GOAT. That's still CP3 until A'ja Wilson surpasses her in about five years.

No, Kitley is not Boston/Clark territory. She's not in Paige territory. But you're actually saying that she can't be compared to Brink, Betts, and Cardoso? Really. I find that really odd because her resume stacks up well against theirs. Betts has accomplished next to nothing as a college player. Nice sophomore season, but where are the accolades that would lift her in a discussion like this one?

EDD was a bit like Morrow at DePaul, of course even better. The best player of her college class, accidentally playing at Delaware. So yes she lifted a normally terrible team to new heights.

She's nothing like Morrow. Morrow is who she is because of the ridiculous stat padding she did at DePaul. Against SEC talent and size, she struggled due to her lack of physical gifts. EDD is a physical specimen who could have produced at a high level anywhere she landed.

Kitley will go down as an all time acc player, but not generational. She did lift tech to top of acc. Is Kitley the best player of her 15 year generation? Probably Boston is better, Brink?

generational comes down to how you define it. Goat is best ever, player of the year, player of the decade, all acc, all American, player of a generation all mean something. I just hate to see generational- which is supposed to mean best player of a 15yr generation, get watered down to mean acc player of the year.

These statements contradict.

When you have only three players in a conference who accomplish the same fate 10 years apart, what are you supposed to call that?

 

[WBBTakeover]

You must be an Elzy stan or something lmao.

Why would I have to be an "Elzy stan" to point out that Kenny Brooks' accomplishments so far have been hollow? She's no longer employed, and rightfully so. But what has he done to make you so sure about his success at Kentucky? And, more importantly, what is he going to bring to Kentucky that others have not accomplished?

You do realize Brooks has brought more talent into the Kentucky program in one month than she did in three years.

That's because Elzy could not recruit and he is a better recruiter than she is. It's not hard to out-recruit Kyra Elzy. Most coaches should be able to do that.

Completely flipped a last place, dead SEC program into what should be top half of the SEC and potentially top 25ish.

Based on what, exactly? Show the metrics so that we can see why he's the man for the job.

His recruiting class he brought over was top 8 with Silva being considered a top Center in the class as an international. Not to mention some really solid pieces to the portal who have every bit of potential to translate will into the SEC with the right coaching. And on top of that one of the best players for next year in Amoore.

So, nothing but potential. Got it.

You are the definition of a complete hater.

This is the go-to for people with no worthy argument.

 

[BRS24]

What if [checks notes] we stayed on topic of new school commitments?

 

[jdote33]

Fantastic pickup for Notre Dame. Karlen seems like a great fit for their style of play. ND’s strength is going to be its guard trio but Karlen/Koval/Westbeld will be a great frontcourt lineup in its own right. They’re still quite thin at the post positions though and I think they need to try and land another player or two for depth. Most of the big names are off the table but they’re an injury away from having no backup unless Ivey thinks Bransford or Risch can reliably play inside. But even if they can’t fill a few more spots I think Notre Dame projects as a championship-caliber offensive, defensive, and rebounding team next year.

I agree. Notre Dame is one of the more underrated teams IMO. I really like Koval, I may start her. Karlen is super solid but she's only 6'2 and is not the most athletic. I still really like her and the pickup. I think the only thing Notre dame is missing is a backup post, and maybe a backup point. But roster wise they are up there with anyone if healthy.

 

[WBBTakeover]

This is...interesting. Great, great choice academically, but basketball-wise? Eh. Leilani's going to a better defensive team, but I don't see Vanderbilt being good enough in the standings for her to win an SEC DPOY award over anyone nominated from South Carolina (and she's going to find life tough trying to guard the MiLaysia Fulwileys and Flau'jae Johnsons of the SEC). It's also unlikely that she'll develop enough offensively at Vandy to be a WNBA draft pick. Lastly, Vandy's still going to be in bubble territory, so there's no guarantee that she'll play in the NCAA Tournament.

Good luck to her, though. Make that last year count.

 

[bballnut90]

What are you saying here?

Are you suggesting that EDD is not to be discussed among those mentioned? She is a two-time WNBA MVP, a 2019 WNBA champ, and an Olympic gold medalist from 2016. She has the 50-40-90 season that nobody you listed has accomplished. She may lack the number of titles that those players have, but Candace Parker didn't win a single championship until she was 30 (her last one came at age 37 when she didn't play a minute in the WNBA postseason). EDD won her first when she was 30. She's 35 now, so there's still hope for her to work on that part of her resume.

That said, she would not be my GOAT. That's still CP3 until A'ja Wilson surpasses her in about five years.

No, Kitley is not Boston/Clark territory. She's not in Paige territory. But you're actually saying that she can't be compared to Brink, Betts, and Cardoso? Really. I find that really odd because her resume stacks up well against theirs. Betts has accomplished next to nothing as a college player. Nice sophomore season, but where are the accolades that would lift her in a discussion like this one?


She's nothing like Morrow. Morrow is who she is because of the ridiculous stat padding she did at DePaul. Against SEC talent and size, she struggled due to her lack of physical gifts. EDD is a physical specimen who could have produced at a high level anywhere she landed.


These statements contradict.

When you have only three players in a conference who accomplish the same fate 10 years apart, what are you supposed to call that?

EDD is among those players, but by almost every measure players like Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart and Maya Moore have had better careers and played around the same time EDD did. I believe I speak for most fans here when I say generational refers to 1 player over a 15ish year period. EDD isn't a generational player if there are 3 options that have clearly had better careers that her. That doesn't take away from all she's accomplished.

Kitley was usually a top 5-10 player in the country throughout her career but was never seriously considered for NPOY. She had a great 5 year career, helping lead VT to their first Final Four in program history and often putting up great numbers. Each year she played college basketball there were several other players who were clearly better than Liz was.

Winning multiple ACC POY awards isn't equivalent to generational greatness though. Look at the SEC as an example. Would you say Rhyne Howard, Adia Mathies and Tiffany Mitchell were better SEC players than Candace Parker or Sylvia Fowles since they won 2 conference POY awards while Candace/Sylvia only won 1? Or that Rhyne/Adia/Tiffany were equivalent on the SEC legends scale to Seimone Augustus, Chamique Holdsclaw or Aliyah Boston? I'd say Kitley's college resume stacks up reasonably well compared to Brink/Cardoso but no one is arguing either of those 2 are generational players.

When you have only three players in a conference who accomplish the same fate 10 years apart, what are you supposed to call that?

ACC legend.

 

[bballnut90]

This is...interesting. Great, great choice academically, but basketball-wise? Eh. Leilani's going to a better defensive team, but I don't see Vanderbilt being good enough in the standings for her to win an SEC DPOY award over anyone nominated from South Carolina (and she's going to find life tough trying to guard the MiLaysia Fulwileys and Flau'jae Johnsons of the SEC). It's also unlikely that she'll develop enough offensively at Vandy to be a WNBA draft pick. Lastly, Vandy's still going to be in bubble territory, so there's no guarantee that she'll play in the NCAA Tournament.

Good luck to her, though. Make that last year count.

I think it's a perfect fit, she's joining a defensive minded team and is going to be tested against the best athletes in the country. If she can do a good job defending Fulwiley/Flaujae, it will prove to scouts she's a top rate defender. She'll help fill Cambridge's role perfectly and Vanderbilt will continue to improve as Shea has a lot of talent back and brings in a top 10 recruit. Onward and upward for the Commodores.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I think it's a perfect fit, she's joining a defensive minded team and is going to be tested against the best athletes in the country. If she can do a good job defending Fulwiley/Flaujae, it will prove to scouts she's a top rate defender. She'll help fill Cambridge's role perfectly and Vanderbilt will continue to improve as Shea has a lot of talent back and brings in a top 10 recruit. Onward and upward for the Commodores.

Given her propensity to foul (she fouled out of numerous games in the B1G as an upperclassman), she's going to have a hard time staying on the court in the SEC unless something drastic happens (reduced minutes, much improved defensive IQ, or decreased defensive gambling by her (i.e. concede)). The SEC guards/wings are going to be a problem for her unless she can make a quick adjustment. They can match or, in many cases, exceed her athleticism. I question whether her one year at Vandy will get her where she wants to be in her athletic career. This isn't a move that a WNBA-bound prospect would make.

We'll see. I am skeptical.

 

[nwhoopfan]

EDD is among those players, but by almost every measure players like Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart and Maya Moore have had better careers and played around the same time EDD did. I believe I speak for most fans here when I say generational refers to 1 player over a 15ish year period. EDD isn't a generational player if there are 3 options that have clearly had better careers that her.

I question this statement. EDD has less Titles, if that is the only metric that matters then so be it. Looking at stats she stacks up just fine against all 3 of these other players. I'm not gonna try to figure out total wins or winning % for all 4 during their careers, but Stewie was on some mediocre Storm teams before Natasha Howard arrived, and LA had some off years while Parker was there as well. Tale of the tape on MVP's is interesting as well. EDD has as many as anybody else on this list. While Stewie very likely will add to her total, the other 2 won't.

 

[MilfordHusky]

EDD is a 2 time WNBA MVP, led 2 different teams to the Finals. Her career has very much been sidetracked by injuries and ongoing dealing with Lyme's disease. Multiple Olympic gold medals as well. Kitley might be lucky to make a WNBA roster. If I was a gambling man I would put everything on her pro career won't be remotely close to EDD's. Can't put those 2 in the same breath, I don't care how many ACC POY's Kitley won.

Slight oversimplification, but EDD has 2 types of seasons: (1) suffers from injury or illness or (2) is named MVP.

 

[DRR25]

He doesn't get the Kentucky job without what Liz was able to do for him, and I'm sure he knows that. Allegedly (according to Virginia Tech insiders), he stopped speaking to the young woman (Matilda Ekh) who delivered the pass to Liz Kitley on the fast break that lead to her injuring her ACL. If that doesn't suggest that he knows she made his Virginia Tech career what is was, then I don't know what else does.

Who are these "Virginia Tech insiders"? So Brooks continued to play Ekh in games but he wasn't speaking to her? I don't believe those "Virginia Tech insiders" for a minute. Doesn't sound like Brooks.

 

[bballnut90]

I question this statement. EDD has less Titles, if that is the only metric that matters then so be it. Looking at stats she stacks up just fine against all 3 of these other players. I'm not gonna try to figure out total wins or winning % for all 4 during their careers, but Stewie was on some mediocre Storm teams before Natasha Howard arrived, and LA had some off years while Parker was there as well. Tale of the tape on MVP's is interesting as well. EDD has as many as anybody else on this list. While Stewie very likely will add to her total, the other 2 won't.

Her per game pro stats are excellent but she's only really played 8 full seasons in the WNBA due to injury (2014 and 2021) or opting to sit out (2020 and 2024). Comparing her to the other 3:

Parker's success has been similar to EDD's (great stats, her teams have consistently thrived) but she's played in 70% more career games than EDD and has had longer sustained team success, more awards, titles, and her career numbers in the regular season and playoffs dwarf Elena's.

Moore also only played in 8 full seasons, but I'd argue her run was more impressive than EDD's (6 Final Appearances, 4 titles).

Stewart is still in the midst of her career (year 8 upcoming) but is fast tracking an argument as the GOAT (along with A'ja Wilson) if she plays another 5-10 years when you account for titles/awards/team success/individual stats.

All 3 had indisputably better collegiate careers than EDD. EDD is great but I just don't see an argument for her having a better career or being more a "generational talent" than the other 3 even though she's had a brilliant career in her own right.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Moore also only played in 8 full seasons, but I'd argue her run was more impressive than EDD's (6 Final Appearances, 4 titles).

I can't separate Moore's success from the makeup of the teams she was on. Of course she was a huge part of their success, but they were stacked and kept their nucleus together for a long time. Seriously, Whalen, Augustus and Brunson, then Big Syl joined the party. No wonder they kept winning Titles, they had more talent than everybody else.

Would've been interesting to see what would've happened if EDD, Sloot and Fowles had all stayed together in Chicago. I think probably multiple titles (they all won at least one separate from each other), but we'll never know. I don't think any of Washington's teams came close in terms of talent to what Minny had during their championship years.