Recruiting Needs for 2013

[doggydaddy]

I did find some footage of the Stewart's "dunk," which was no dunk at all. She does seem to be pretty slight of frame so I can see the point of the other poster's note that she would probably not match up with Griner until she can put on some lower body strength.

In the other footage that I saw, I didn't see her make a shot other than shots within about 5 feet of the basket, and she actually missed quite a few of those.

I'm not sold yet as I saw Griner play in high school and she was much more impressive. I am not sure that Stewart has the foot speed to play the 4 in college. I have not doubt that she will have an impact with her length, and she will undoubtedly develop under Geno's system. But comparing footage of EDD and Stewart coming out of high school, EDD was a much more developed player. I think that Stewart will be about two years from making a major impact, but she will certainly impact the game.

Stewart does appear to have a sweet stroke from three-point range. Surprisingly, Griner also has a pretty sweet stroke from 3 range, although nobody gets to see it unless you watch Baylor in warm-ups. I've watched her shoot in warm-ups and the percentage that she makes is pretty impressive. But like Griner, I am not sure that you want a player of that height and length standing around the three point line.

See if you can find video of her playing on the Pan American game. You are way off about her in almost every way.

 

[easttexastrash]

See if you can find video of her playing on the Pan American game. You are way off about her in almost every way.

I may be. It is hard to base an opinion one one high school game. I guess I'll get a good look next year.

I couldn't find the PanAm footage. If anyone has any to share I would enjoy watching that. I am intrigued by her play and her length. I love to watch a big girl play at a high level.

 

[doggydaddy]

I think the biggest factor is the one that someone previously mentioned. Griner loves the feel of protection that her teammates and coaching staff provide. She also loves the college experience, attending almost every sporting event that takes place on campus. I would bet my house on Griner staying in school.

Not saying she is going, but she has the opportunity to do so. She will demand big bucks overseas and huge marketing opportunities right away. Sometimes the dollar calls. Even for young women.

 

[alexrgct]

I may be. It is hard to base an opinion one one high school game. I guess I'll get a good look next year.

The game DD linked to was from her sophomore year, as are a number of the others I've seen on YouTube. She's definitely progressed quite a bit since then.

 

[Icebear]

EDD left UCONN knowing that she would never win a NC, yet she still chose to play the game. Her motivations were very different but I also suspect that she will play out her eligibility before turning pro.

EDD's family and their financial situation is likely much different than Griner's. Her her dad is a real estate developer in Delaware.

 

[doggydaddy]

I may be. It is hard to base an opinion one one high school game. I guess I'll get a good look next year.

She is a special talent who will make an immediate impact. I know you appreciate WCBB and you will really enjoy watching her play.

 

[easttexastrash]

Not saying she is going, but she has the opportunity to do so. She will demand big bucks overseas and huge marketing opportunities right away. Sometimes the dollar calls. Even for young women.

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. And it's not as if she is a starving person whose family is incapable of supporting itself. He father is a retired sheriff if my memory serves me correctly.

Plus, nobody in Europe dresses as well as Mulkey. She would miss the fashion influence.

 

[easttexastrash]

She is a special talent who will make an immediate impact. I know you appreciate WCBB and you will really enjoy watching her play.

I agree. I love watching women play at a high level. Win or lose, I always appreciate a great performance. Hartley scares the crap out of me, but watching her play is a joy. She has obviously put in a tremendous amount of work and is a beautiful player to watch.

 

[Suebird10fan]

As far as my Baylor allegiance, maybe some Texas geography lessons would be in order. El Paso (739 miles) is "all the way on the other side of the state." Lubbock (400 miles) is "all the way on the others side of the state." Harlingen, TX (624 miles) is "all the way on the other side of the state." Waco is only 199 miles from my home town, which in Texas, is not a long distance. Add the relatively close proximity and a family history with Baylor and it is easy to see where my loyalties to Baylor came from. And the Baylor campus is where I met my nearest and dearest friend in life.

Thanks for the geography lesson ETT ... I drove across Texas on I-10--850 miles IIRC--but that was a long time ago! Not sure when I got confused--I may have flipped Lubbock and Waco--but I've pictured Waco being in west Texas for a long time.

We disagree on some things but its great to have a knowledgeable Baylor fan on the board. And I think we both agree that UConn and Baylore will be playing some great basketball games against each other over the next couple of years. Looking forward to the games and some good pre and post-game banter.

 

[easttexastrash]

The game DD linked to was from her sophomore year, as are a number of the others I've seen on YouTube. She's definitely progressed quite a bit since then.

Thanks for pointing that out. That would make sense. Development form sophomore to senior would be major.

Next year's game is going to be something to watch.

 

[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.