Recruiting Needs for 2013

[wallman]

I saw Griner in high school and she was no where near Stewart in terms of skill, and I am not a homer. Griner had very little in the way of offense so I was impressed with how she progressed at Baylor, in HS she stayed in the paint and altered and blocked shots. Stewart is a different type of player, she won't have to muscle Griner as Griner is also not a muscle player but Stewarts length will affect Griner just as Griners affects everyone.

Jefferson may take longer to develop but not in skill, it will be her frame that she needs to build.

I agree re the surrounded by family issue but as you say her father is retired so they would be able to travel with her, and as I recall she didn't attend McDs for a similar reason!

 

[doggydaddy]

I don't think that Griner particularly enjoyed being out of the US last summer. I simply don't think that she is prepared to leave family and friends behind and head to Europe.

Unless you have direct quotes from Griner saying this or are part of her inner circle, I don't know how you can make these statements.

 

[easttexastrash]

Unless you have direct quotes from Griner saying this or are part of her inner circle, I don't know how you can make these statements.

Mulkey stated last year how happy Griner was to get back to the US. Now, I may have interpreted this incorrectly, but the implication was that she was very happy not to be out of the country and happy to be back on US soil.

There are have been a lot of assumptions made in this thread. Mine was probably the only one that actually did have a statement that was used in developing an opinion.

 

[pap49cba]

"I don't think that Griner particularly enjoyed being out of the US last summer."

That is not what I recall reading at the time including a few comments from Mulkey. Griner also wrote a blog while she was in Europe that was quite good (and funny).

 

[easttexastrash]

"I don't think that Griner particularly enjoyed being out of the US last summer."

That is not what I recall reading at the time including a few comments from Mulkey. Griner also wrote a blog while she was in Europe that was quite good (and funny).

I could be wrong. Of course a two week trip is considerably different than packing your bags and living overseas. I enjoy vacation but I'm not ready to move to another country.

 

[speedoo]

Mulkey stated last year how happy Griner was to get back to the US. Now, I may have interpreted this incorrectly, but the implication was that she was very happy not to be out of the country and happy to be back on US soil.

There are have been a lot of assumptions made in this thread. Mine was probably the only one that actually did have a statement that was used in developing an opinion.

Yeah, I'd say your interpretation was a stretch. What would you expect Mulkey to say, that Griner was unhappy to be home?

And I recall quite a bit of info about how much Griner enjoyed that international experience, some of it direct quotes from Griner herself, IIRC.

 

[easttexastrash]

Yeah, I'd say your interpretation was a stretch. What would you expect Mulkey to say, that Griner was unhappy to be home?

And I recall quite a bit of info about how much Griner enjoyed that international experience, some of it direct quotes from Griner herself, IIRC.

Who knows? Based on what I've seen of Griner, she enjoys the comfort of her teammates, coaching staff and family. I think she would have gone to Tennessee had it not been for the desire to stay closer to home. But who knows when a person decides that they are ready to spread their wings and venture out.

Can playing in college really be a challenge to her anymore. There is not person in college capable of stopping her and I am sure that the double and triple teams become tiring. I would think that the biggest factor in leaving college would be the opportunity to play basketball without being defended by half of the opposing team. The opportunity to actually display her skills one one one against the best that the world has to offer and to be challenged.

 

[alexrgct]

I think she would have gone to Tennessee had it not been for the desire to stay closer to home. .

Well, I'll gladly take the full four years of BG at Baylor if it meant she didn't end up in Knoxville.

 

[easttexastrash]

Well, I'll gladly take the full four years of BG at Baylor if it meant she didn't end up in Knoxville.

I've said this before, and this is not an attempt to be liked...that has never been my goal. (-; But I do think that Griner would have progressed much more had she landed at UCONN. I simply think that Geno is the best in the game at developing a player to her full potential. I think that he would have used her in a way that Mulkey has not. Mulkey is too intent, in my opinion, of getting all players involved in the offense to the point where the players lose sight of the fact that Griner is the bread and butter of the team.

 

[UcMiami]

ETT - while I agree with your assessment of Geno, I have been impressed with Griner's development at Baylor - part of that is just growing up, but Mulkey has had a hand in it so don't sell her short.
On Stewart vs EDD - the biggest difference is in body type - while EDD is taller, Stewart is 'longer' and EDD has always been a bigger build. That is my one concern with Stewart - she is very slight of build and may have trouble building strength. EDD definitely a better shooter, Stewart better defensively and maybe a little quicker.
On Stewart - she was the only high school player on the USA team this summer (U19) and also its leading scorer - so that gives you some idea of her overall skill set.
And I would be really surprised if BG leaves early - comfort zone and college experience being important.

 

[connboy77]

I've said this before, and this is not an attempt to be liked...that has never been my goal. (-; But I do think that Griner would have progressed much more had she landed at UCONN. I simply think that Geno is the best in the game at developing a player to her full potential. I think that he would have used her in a way that Mulkey has not. Mulkey is too intent, in my opinion, of getting all players involved in the offense to the point where the players lose sight of the fact that Griner is the bread and butter of the team.

I know that Geno would have definitely made Brittany into a much better rebounder.

 

[easttexastrash]

ETT - while I agree with your assessment of Geno, I have been impressed with Griner's development at Baylor - part of that is just growing up, but Mulkey has had a hand in it so don't sell her short.
On Stewart vs EDD - the biggest difference is in body type - while EDD is taller, Stewart is 'longer' and EDD has always been a bigger build. That is my one concern with Stewart - she is very slight of build and may have trouble building strength. EDD definitely a better shooter, Stewart better defensively and maybe a little quicker.
On Stewart - she was the only high school player on the USA team this summer (U19) and also its leading scorer - so that gives you some idea of her overall skill set.
And I would be really surprised if BG leaves early - comfort zone and college experience being important.

Great point. I suspect that if BG is to make the Olympic team that she is going to have to do much more work on the boards. I just can't see her making the team if she doesn't impress Geno in that area. I watch her and she still seems to be out of position and not sure where she should be. If BG does make the Olympic team, I am guessing that her biggest improvement next year will be rebounding. It will be hard for her to be a whole lot better on offense and playing defense. But if she can develop a Charles-like hunger to rebound the ball, watch out.

 

[Icebear]

ETT remember Geno only has input but is not involved in making the final choices for the team.

 

[UcMiami]

pretty sure Griner is on the team - I think Geno really wants her - and the team needs a third big after Tina and Sylvia, and the otehr choices are not all that inspiring.

 

[easttexastrash]

ETT remember Geno only has input but is not involved in making the final choices for the team.

I feel certain that Geno has more than an equal vote. If he wants her, she will be there.

 

[easttexastrash]

I saw Griner in high school and she was no where near Stewart in terms of skill, and I am not a homer. Griner had very little in the way of offense so I was impressed with how she progressed at Baylor, in HS she stayed in the paint and altered and blocked shots. Stewart is a different type of player, she won't have to muscle Griner as Griner is also not a muscle player but Stewarts length will affect Griner just as Griners affects everyone.

Jefferson may take longer to develop but not in skill, it will be her frame that she needs to build.

I agree re the surrounded by family issue but as you say her father is retired so they would be able to travel with her, and as I recall she didn't attend McDs for a similar reason!

I don't know what Stewart's stats are, but Griner averaged 33 points, 15 rebounds, 12 blocks, 3 steals and 3 assists as a senior. I am sure that Stewart has more offensive moves, but that doesn't mean that Griner's limited number of moves in high school weren't more effective. Geno's advice to Griner was not to try to have too many of moves, but to have two ore three go-to moves and hone those to perfection.

Unless Stewart is averaging 12 blocks a game, I doubt that she is on the same level that Griner was on when it came to defense. Griner stepped right into college and set the single season record for blocks.

 

[sofrito]

UcMiami said "On Stewart - she was the only high school player on the USA team this summer (U19) and also its leading scorer - so that gives you some idea of her overall skill set."

Actually Dolson and Hartley were the only players with college experience. Mosqueda-Lewis, Williams, Massengale and Burdick had just graduated HS. Stewart, Jones, Adams, Tuck and Stafford were rising seniors. DeShields was a rising junior.

 

[Icebear]

I feel certain that Geno has more than an equal vote. If he wants her, she will be there.

He has no votes. Given he comments from the summer I expect he wants her. Coaches never have votes.

 

[easttexastrash]

He has no votes. Given he comments from the summer I expect he wants her. Coaches never have votes.

Let me re-phrase. I am certain he has "influence."

 

[doggydaddy]

UcMiami said "On Stewart - she was the only high school player on the USA team this summer (U19) and also its leading scorer - so that gives you some idea of her overall skill set."

Actually Dolson and Hartley were the only players with college experience. Mosqueda-Lewis, Williams, Massengale and Burdick had just graduated HS. Stewart, Jones, Adams, Tuck and Stafford were rising seniors. DeShields was a rising junior.

I think UcMiami meant the Pan Am games. She was the only HS player on that team and was only the 2nd HS player ever on a Pan Am team.

 

[wallman]

I don't know what Stewart's stats are, but Griner averaged 33 points, 15 rebounds, 12 blocks, 3 steals and 3 assists as a senior. I am sure that Stewart has more offensive moves, but that doesn't mean that Griner's limited number of moves in high school weren't more effective. Geno's advice to Griner was not to try to have too many of moves, but to have two ore three go-to moves and hone those to perfection.

Unless Stewart is averaging 12 blocks a game, I doubt that she is on the same level that Griner was on when it came to defense. Griner stepped right into college and set the single season record for blocks.

Hey ETT, HS stats are not comparable, they could be against the weakest of the weak competition or as Stewart did when she went to AZ TOC against the best - club is the best indicator of whether a kid can make the step to college, being able to compete at a Nike Nationals or a Boo Williams, which I watched Griner and she was not the star of her club team, she was the defensive fill in the paint, the points were scored by the guards as she did not make any moves around the basket, with her limited footwork. This is why I think her progression has been great in college and although a lot of people expected more from her early on, she did better in my eyes than expected. Stewart, a completely different player, is very versatile, with great length and leaping ability.

 

[easttexastrash]

Hey ETT, HS stats are not comparable, they could be against the weakest of the weak competition or as Stewart did when she went to AZ TOC against the best - club is the best indicator of whether a kid can make the step to college, being able to compete at a Nike Nationals or a Boo Williams, which I watched Griner and she was not the star of her club team, she was the defensive fill in the paint, the points were scored by the guards as she did not make any moves around the basket, with her limited footwork. This is why I think her progression has been great in college and although a lot of people expected more from her early on, she did better in my eyes than expected. Stewart, a completely different player, is very versatile, with great length and leaping ability.

I think Kelsey Bone, who was the second rated post player in her class, may disagree with you. Griner dropped 16 points in the first quarter on Bone in her senior season. Griner played in class 5A in Houston, and I'm sure you know that the competition level in Houston big schools is top notch. To imply that Griner was playing against lesser competition is a bit silly.

I can only assume that you have seen Stewart play in person, and I have not, thus I truly cannot compare the two. But not to acknowledge Griner's stats as a senior in high school doesn't add much credence to your argument.

As far as versatility, I would say that there are a lot of players who are more versatile than Griner. Versatility doesn't make you more effective. Candace Parker is possibly the most versatile player of all time, but she is not going to out perform Griner in the paint. How versatile does Griner really need to be? Do you think Geno would want Griner anywhere but on the block? She shoots a 15 footer from time to time, and quite well, but versatility is not what makes her great. Being unstoppable on the low block is what makes her great.

 

[doggydaddy]

Versatility doesn't make you more effective.

When you are 6'4" with a 7' wingspan (so I've been told) and can dribble like a guard, shoot from 3, have several post moves and can block shots as good as anyone not named Griner, well, versitility is great.

 

[Icebear]

Let me re-phrase. I am certain he has "influence."

Yes, that is certainly true. But it is not automatic as some would believe. Some in orangeville grumbled about Geno blocking or neglecting players from there.

 

[easttexastrash]

When you are 6'4" with a 7' wingspan (so I've been told) and can dribble like a guard, shoot from 3, have several post moves and can block shots as good as anyone not named Griner, well, versitility is great.

Agreed. That versatility made Parker nearly impossible to stop. She just didn't have the 3 point range.

Stewart should be fun to watch, in a painful way. I assume that I will get to see her play in the all-star game at the Final Four.