Poll - Agot Makeer's final three

[oldude]

A couple thoughts about Makeer:

• Most WBB recruits express an interest in playing close to home. But E. Lansing, MI is an 11 hour drive from Thunder Bay and Makeer is currently playing at Montverde Academy near Orlando, FL. So it’s hard to believe that proximity to home will be the deciding factor.
• I also want both Blanca & Makeer. Blanca is a more complete player. She’s more physical and she’s incredibly talented attacking the basket. Makeer is the better shooter and hopefully will add some muscle to that lean frame of hers.
• As far as NIL is concerned, foreign athletes on F1 student visas are still prohibited from earning “active” compensation. They are permitted to earn “passive” compensation. So Makeer can’t appear in an add for Gatorade. But she can be compensated for jersey sales. As a result, I don’t think NIL will be a major factor in her decision.
• In the end, I think her decision will come down to UConn or SC. I’m hoping she follows the path of fellow Canadians Kia Nurse and Aaliyah Edwards and decides to come to the basketball capital of the world. Fingers crossed.

 

[cancontent]

Just checked Google Maps. Talk about a grind! It's almost 12 hrs by car to Lansing (MSU) and 10 hrs by plane because I assume there's no jet airport in TB. And that's the closest school.

Not clear on what you mean by jet airport, but Thunder Bay does have one. Not sure if flights can go direct to Detroit or Lansing from there however.

The size of our provinces in comparison to most states are massive. For example, it takes over 20 hours to drive west to Manitoba if you go through Ontario. Cutting through the US saves a lot of time in some situations.

Canadians deciding to play in the US for any sport isn't a simple decision, especially if you're being targeted by a top program. I recall Shay Colley transferring out of South Carolina to Michigan State because it was closer to home in Ontario. Some athletes end up transferring back to a Canadian program because they can't handle the distance and being homesick.

For Kia Nurse (8 hrs) and Aaliyah Edwards (7 hrs), the travel wasn't bad, but it's still a trek. Not to mention the option for discount airlines like Southwest are virtually non-existent to help make flying cheaper. It's a big factor when considering playing in the NCAA.

 

[cancontent]

A couple thoughts about Makeer:

• Most WBB recruits express an interest in playing close to home. But E. Lansing, MI is an 11 hour drive from Thunder Bay and Makeer is currently playing at Montverde Academy near Orlando, FL. So it’s hard to believe that proximity to home will be the deciding factor.
• I also want both Blanca & Makeer. Blanca is a more complete player. She’s more physical and she’s incredibly talented attacking the basket. Makeer is the better shooter and hopefully will add some muscle to that lean frame of hers.
• As far as NIL is concerned, foreign athletes on F1 student visas are still prohibited from earning “active” compensation. They are permitted to earn “passive” compensation. So Makeer can’t appear in an add for Gatorade. But she can be compensated for jersey sales. As a result, I don’t think NIL will be a major factor in her decision.
• In the end, I think her decision will come down to UConn or SC. I’m hoping she follows the path of fellow Canadians Kia Nurse and Aaliyah Edwards and decides to come to the basketball capital of the world. Fingers crossed.

Actually, NIL doesn't affect her technically. She's a dual citizen. She only recently got her citizenship and passport to play for Canada last year. She may not need the F1 visa.

 

[oldude]

Actually, NIL doesn't affect her technically. She's a dual citizen. She only recently got her citizenship and passport to play for Canada last year. She may not need the F1 visa.

I stand corrected.

 

[PacoSwede]

fwiw, i see she was born in fargo and living in thunder bay she is accustomed to the midwest/storrs climate; also the huskies have paige (minn.), kk and allie (both wisc) -- her type of folks? kia and liya are obvious links. maybe even azzi, who i believe has close relations in minn.

 

[BobbyJ]

Not clear on what you mean by jet airport, but Thunder Bay does have one. Not sure if flights can go direct to Detroit or Lansing from there however.

The size of our provinces in comparison to most states are massive. For example, it takes over 20 hours to drive west to Manitoba if you go through Ontario. Cutting through the US saves a lot of time in some situations.

Canadians deciding to play in the US for any sport isn't a simple decision, especially if you're being targeted by a top program. I recall Shay Colley transferring out of South Carolina to Michigan State because it was closer to home in Ontario. Some athletes end up transferring back to a Canadian program because they can't handle the distance and being homesick.

For Kia Nurse (8 hrs) and Aaliyah Edwards (7 hrs), the travel wasn't bad, but it's still a trek. Not to mention the option for discount airlines like Southwest are virtually non-existent to help make flying cheaper. It's a big factor when considering playing in the NCAA.

I read the map wrong. That obviously wasn’t a flight time. It’s 4 1/2 hrs flight time from TB to Detroit. That makes more sense.

 

[Dillon77]

This has been an interesting thread to peruse.

I can certainly see why Makeer would be interested in UConn and, particularly, South Carolina (more on that in a bit).
However, my gut and tendency to root for underdogs says "Why not Michigan State?"

One of the adages I see thrown a lot are that great players don't think about whether they'll play a lot, but how can you not when looking at the Husky and Gamecock rosters? McDonald All-Americans galore, leading scorers that don't start.

However, Staley has a way of getting a large number of her players court time. Going back a few years, one such player was also a lithe Canadian by name of Laeticia Amihere, who was heavily pursued by multiple schools before going to S. Carolina. She had her moments, but was never a star before moving onto -- and making -- a WNBA roster with the Atlanta Dream. I've got to think this kind of progression is known to Makeer.

UConn is, of course, known for finishing school, too, but I just haven't heard of strong mutual interest. But publicity doesn't matter if they have contact.

Michigan State -- not Michigan and, btw, not a "mediocre" school -- is very much headed in the right direction under Coach Robyn Fralick. For those not familiar, she holds the highest winning percentage of any coach in any division ever for her 10-year stint at Ashland in D-II. She then went onto Bowling Green and got that school -- hardly a hoops mecca -- into the WNIT (saw a great semifinal between them and Columbia a few years back). She's done a great job at Michigan State, bringing in transfers and working with the Suzy Merchant players who stayed. Now, it's time to bring in her own high schoolers. If she could bet a Makeer, that would be a major progression for the program.

I don't know the young woman, but I can guess which one would give her prominent court time sooner rather than later. Stay tuned.

 

[Forego]

I’m just happy that her final three are all east of the Mississippi.

 

[Dillon77]

I stand corrected.

It was that Fargo thing .
(I've thought about that with other Canadian prospects, btw).

 

[yhun89]

Kelis Fisher didn't make the McDonalds all American team. Scary, but Tennessee has 3 players on the team, we have none, so hopefully we get Agot and Blanca. Agot did make the team.

Not unexpected. There’s already so many elite G’s on the roster. Don’t forget Kelis outsourced Kaleena Smith amongst other top 10 recruits in the OT select semis.

 

[Charliebball]

This has been an interesting thread to peruse.

I can certainly see why Makeer would be interested in UConn and, particularly, South Carolina (more on that in a bit).
However, my gut and tendency to root for underdogs says "Why not Michigan State?"

One of the adages I see thrown a lot are that great players don't think about whether they'll play a lot, but how can you not when looking at the Husky and Gamecock rosters? McDonald All-Americans galore, leading scorers that don't start.

However, Staley has a way of getting a large number of her players court time. Going back a few years, one such player was also a lithe Canadian by name of Laeticia Amihere, who was heavily pursued by multiple schools before going to S. Carolina. She had her moments, but was never a star before moving onto -- and making -- a WNBA roster with the Atlanta Dream. I've got to think this kind of progression is known to Makeer.

UConn is, of course, known for finishing school, too, but I just haven't heard of strong mutual interest. But publicity doesn't matter if they have contact.

Michigan State -- not Michigan and, btw, not a "mediocre" school -- is very much headed in the right direction under Coach Robyn Fralick. For those not familiar, she holds the highest winning percentage of any coach in any division ever for her 10-year stint at Ashland in D-II. She then went onto Bowling Green and got that school -- hardly a hoops mecca -- into the WNIT (saw a great semifinal between them and Columbia a few years back). She's done a great job at Michigan State, bringing in transfers and working with the Suzy Merchant players who stayed. Now, it's time to bring in her own high schoolers. If she could bet a Makeer, that would be a major progression for the program.

I don't know the young woman, but I can guess which one would give her prominent court time sooner rather than later. Stay tuned.

I agree with your general thesis, but it's pretty clear that Geno is now far more open to playing freshmen who prove they deserve serious minutes.......obviously, if she wants starter's minutes from day one then MSU is her only choice out of the three programs....

 

[Dillon77]

I agree with your general thesis, but it's pretty clear that Geno is now far more open to playing freshmen who prove they deserve serious minutes.......obviously, if she wants starter's minutes from day one then MSU is her only choice out of the three programs....

Well, pretty clear when you have a Sarah Strong or -- a few years back -- Paige Bueckers.

(Last year, to me, was a bit of an anomaly with all the injuries.)

Makeer has two clear options: the S. Carolina/UConn Schools of Excellence run by HOF coaches vs a program that's ramping up under an excellent young coach.

 

[Charliebball]

Well, pretty clear when you have a Sarah Strong or -- a few years back -- Paige Bueckers.

(Last year, to me, was a bit of an anomaly with all the injuries.)

Makeer has two clear options: the S. Carolina/UConn Schools of Excellence run by HOF coaches vs a program that's ramping up under an excellent young coach.

True but KK and Shade are still getting meaningful minutes this season........

 

[cancontent]

True but KK and Shade are still getting meaningful minutes this season........

I don't think @Dillon77 is implying they're not contributing currently. Just highlighting what led to them playing the amount of minutes they got last season.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I like to harken back to Geno's statement after the November signing period that "[W]e're not done." Maybe Agot is pulling a Sarah.

 

[sun]

I wish that I could change my vote from UConn to Michigan State.
The reasons are many, but mainly because of the closer location for her family which she has stated is important to her, and because it's in the Big 10.
Other reasons include the Michigan State coach, the fact that she could easily transfer if she has a change of heart, and the Toby Fournier, Caitlin Clark & Juju Watkins effect that has led high school players to choose schools that are not typical powerhouses.
If I were her I wou;d also be concerned about Blanca coming to UConn.
The Michigan State coach has studied counseling, religion & psychology which I believe would help her to establish a special recruitment relationship with Agot.
Agot seems to be somewhat timid & I can't see any other reason for her to include Michigan State in her final 3 if the Michigan State coach didn't already have a positive influence on her.
Going to a school closer to Canada could also help her NIL.
I can't help but think that the BIg 10 is a more attractive conference than the Big East especially with USC & UCLA playing in it.
The Big 10 conference gets a lot of national attention & she'll be a bigger fish in a smaller pond of players at Michigan State while playing closer to home.

 

[oldude]

I like to harken back to Geno's statement after the November signing period that "[W]e're not done." Maybe Agot is pulling a Sarah.

I couldn’t tell if Geno was talking about Blanca, or someone in addition to Blanca.

 

[Dillon77]

I don't think @Dillon77 is implying they're not contributing currently. Just highlighting what led to them playing the amount of minutes they got last season.

Yup.

 

[donalddoowop]

I couldn’t tell if Geno was talking about Blanca, or someone in addition to Blanca.

Geno said there would be two more recruits coming in. At the time, Blanca had already committed so there was speculation who the other player would be. I want to know if UConn will still get Blanca because there has been no word about her since her commitment.

 

[Vowelguy]

I like to harken back to Geno's statement after the November signing period that "[W]e're not done." Maybe Agot is pulling a Sarah.

If Blanca comes and Azzi & CD graduate, UConn has 12 players next year. I'm sure Geno will add more whether thru recruiting or the portal.

 

[hoopsfan22]

If Blanca comes and Azzi & CD graduate, UConn has 12 players next year. I'm sure Geno will add more whether thru recruiting or the portal.

Azzi graduated last season I believe.

 

[Vowelguy]

Azzi graduated last season I believe.

Whatever. Fine. I was just using shorthand for "finish their time at UConn but NOT transferring."

 

[Cuango]

I don't think elite players at her level think that way.

True, I’m just not completely convinced she is an elite player. She’s very good obviously, but so are the ones I mentioned in my post, with Sarah being far beyond “elite”! I am far more concerned tha we get Blanca, who I believe to be better than Makeer. Again, I’m happy to see her commit to UConn if she does, I’m just sharing an opinion on probabilities.

 

[Bald Husky]

I couldn’t tell if Geno was talking about Blanca, or someone in addition to Blanca.

I believe that Lara Somfai was still in the mix until she jilted us for Stanford.

 

[cabbie191]

Past articles have her saying we’re her dream location, however, she raves about the M State community and program quite a bit recently.

When I lived in Michigan (2014-2020) I had a few meetings a year in Lansing, and quite a few on the MSU campus. It’s a really nice place (if you can ignore all the scandals associated with the place) - I would have, in hindsight, been happy to have been a Spartan during my own college days