Prospects Nation Updates c/o 2020 Rankings

[Dillon77]

I can guarantee that SB will get knocked around once she gets to college. How she responds will ultimately determine just how good a player she becomes. If she responds to the physical play and occasional muggings in the same manner as Lou, she’ll be one hell of a player. Time will tell.

When I watched the 3x3 tapes of the tournament in Spokane, I noticed that Sam's shot was off and on. Granted, outdoors and 3x3 add a whole lot of variables, but her shooting was inconsistent.

What was consistent was her doing all the glue work that is essential on a team, whether 3x3 or 5x5: setting screens, rolling to the basket consistently or getting out of the way, playing defense and rebounding. All of this was against college grads who may not have matched the technical expertise of Sam, Paige, Aliyah and Hailey Van Lith, but were physically stronger and brought a lot of savvy to the match.

So, to follow up on your point, I think she's willing to do a lot of the elements that help make winning efforts. ND was blessed to have a McDonald's All-American dedicate herself to that role and Kat Westbeld helped get the Irish over the hump. Sam, in my humble view, is physically more talented but with that approach can of immense value.

 

[MilfordHusky]

When I watched the 3x3 tapes of the tournament in Spokane, I noticed that Sam's shot was off and on. Granted, outdoors and 3x3 add a whole lot of variables, but her shooting was inconsistent.

What was consistent was her doing all the glue work that is essential on a team, whether 3x3 or 5x5: setting screens, rolling to the basket consistently or getting out of the way, playing defense and rebounding. All of this was against college grads who may not have matched the technical expertise of Sam, Paige, Aliyah and Hailey Van Lith, but were physically stronger and brought a lot of savvy to the match.

So, to follow up on your point, I think she's willing to do a lot of the elements that help make winning efforts. ND was blessed to have a McDonald's All-American dedicate herself to that role and Kat Westbeld helped get the Irish over the hump. Sam, in my humble view, is physically more talented but with that approach can of immense value.

I agree about the importance of the little things, but it’s odd to consider a #1 recruit (or former #1) to be a glue player.

 

[Charliebball]

I agree about the importance of the little things, but it’s odd to consider a #1 recruit (or former #1) to be a glue player.

I suppose it's good to be a glue player when your shot isn't falling..........

 

[bballnut90]

Brunelle will be an excellent player under Muffet, regardless if she finishes being ranked #1 overall or not.

The last several years have not had an obvious #1 recruit like we saw with Stewart in 2012 and KML in 2011. In 2013 we saw Diamond and Russell split some top rankings. 2014 had Wilson and Mitchell, and Wilson didn’t separate herself from the pack until her junior year. Turner was every bit as good as A’ja when they were freshmen, but Turner has been injury prone and Wilson has also made huge strides. All that said, Mitchell was the consensus NFOY in 2014-15, so not the best year to use as an example of a standout #1 recruit.

2015 was KLS by most of the main sources IIRC, 2016 had both Holmes and Cox at the #1 spot, 2017 seemed to have Westbrook and Walker both in the mix, and 2018 seemed split between Williams and Collier, with ONO being the early favorite prior to injury. 2019 appears to be more fluid, too. Same for 2020 possibly.

As others have noted, how a player fits in their system is more important than accumulation of raw talent. Brunelle will be much needed at ND with the graduation of 4 senior starters. Players coming to UCONN should have more time to assimilate with Walker/CD/Williams/ONO likely cementing big minutes in 2019-20.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Brunelle will be an excellent player under Tara,

if only she was playing for Tara

 

[MilfordHusky]

Milford:

I think DE Pup said it very well, so I'm using the quote mechanism for most of my reply

ND's use of the four is a critical to overall efficiency -- I don't consider it a slight to say that Sam will concentrate on doing all those things right, in the same way Paige and Hailey Van Lith shouldered the scoring load in the 3x3 in Spokane. Besides Kat (who is revered in South Bend), Natalie Achonwa set up at the foul line/elbow as often as not. She scored when needed but excelled at all the other things we mentioned.

(BTW, as a still active hoopster, I pick teams often in our Sunday morning hoop gatherings and I'll choose a "glue" player no later than 2nd every time...or regret it.)

Glue players are critical when the team goes out for dinner and orders “sticky rice.”

 

[bballnut90]

if only she was playing for Tara

Thanks for the correction