Sierra Calhoun to Duke

[doggydaddy]

Looking at the Boneyard recruiting list.... Both Sierra and Lexie are committed to other schools. So of course we want A'ja. I do not think there is anyone who would say no to her. But who else do we want to recruit? Lynne, Taylor, and Kathryn I do not believe are committed yet. I have heard a lot of wonderful things about both Lynne and Kathryn.

Anyone have an opinion on this?

Yes. My opinion is that it's weird you call them all by their first names.

 

[HGN]

WOW.........I can't say that I am totally surprised when she did not commit earlier to UConn. Though I will admit that I would rather see her go to Duke than to NC or ND.

Good Luck Sierra.

 

[Paul1969]

???????????

Joanne P. McCallie @CoachPDuke
Special Sunday! So inspiring when young people commit to principles & stick w/them despite others' trying to confuse/distort. #Strength

Very unprofessional.

 

[rjp172]

Geez, I wonder what Muffett was telling her about Duke.

Why does it have to be Muffet? Or about Calhoun at all?

 

[msf22b]

I'm interested in the relatively recent bad feeling about recruits going to Notre Dame as noted above.
Sounds and feels like the old UTenn hatred.
I kinda like seeing what Muffit does with good talent
Anyway, no worries, we don't play them anymore…regrettably.

 

[WisePig]

Congrats to her. She picked a school with outstanding academics and a good woman's basketball program. I am going to take this a step further and wish her family (ie brother) win a National Championship!!!

 

[JS]

Why does it have to be Muffet? Or about Calhoun at all?

It doesn't. I was joking and just picked Muffet because ND was reportedly the third primary suitor.

Who else could I pick on? UConn? Get real.

 

[Fightin Choke]

Congrats to Duke. I had hopes of her joining the Irish. That's consecutive years the Blue Devils have beat us out on top 10 wings.

 

[Wonkster]

.
May Joy fill her Cheek.

 

[triaddukefan]

???????????

Joanne P. McCallie @CoachPDuke
Special Sunday! So inspiring when young people commit to principles & stick w/them despite others' trying to confuse/distort. #Strength

Oh brother. Wonder at whom that's directed?

Maybe she's been reading The Devils Den Messageboard

After the 2013-2014 season Duke loses Gray, Wells, Liston, Peters and Jackson to graduation. Calhoun should get plenty of minutes. Her father listed as the reasons for selecting Duke:

• 
  [ ]Opportunity to be an impact freshman
  [ ]Opportunity to play with Alexis Jones
  [ ]Strong bond with Coach McCallie (has anyone ever said that before?)

Hopefully her husband

 

[Icebear]

Maybe she's been reading The Devils Den Messageboard

I believe Coach McCallie is referring to people attempting to undermine Duke's reputation as the best waitstaff school in the country. Duke grads are still waitstaff in the best restaurants in America often holding those jobs for decades. No one can take that away from them not even Jeff Walz.

 

[Scotter]

Based on what I've seen of Calhoun's play I never viewed her as a natural fit for UConn, and for that reason I never expected her to end up at UConn. And if she end up at UConn I assumed it would be because UConn could successfully recruit due to geographic proximity and the relationship with her brother, rather than because UConn really liked her style of play.

I think it is very similar to a previous Christ the King guard with a similar style of play in Bria Smith. There were all kings of people saying Bria was going to end up at UConn, but considering her style of play wasn't a natural fit at UConn I always expected Bria to end up somewhere else even when people were claiming she was a lock to go to UConn. The same situation has now happened with Sierra.

 

[DaddyChoc]

I think Calhoun was looked at harder than Bria... just due to the brother connection

 

[MilfordHusky]

Good luck Sierra!

I'm not terribly surprised; it seemed like the longer it took for her to commit, the less likely it seemed that she would end up at UConn.

I had the same feeling.

 

[semper]

Big...we need bigs. This is not a crusher. C'mon A'ja.

 

[EricSD]

Big...we need bigs. This is not a crusher. C'mon A'ja.

A'ja is not a center and she does not want to play the 5.

 

[baggerbob]

With A'ja and Stewie you don't have to have a true 5, with them in the game together, other teams have a bigger problem defending them, and they can defend a 5, advantage UConn

 

[Icebear]

A'ja is not a center and she does not want to play the 5.

I think her experience with USA Basketball may change her thoughts on that a bit, Eric. She played inside and outside as did Stewie. If A'ja is to fully develop her game she needs to recognize that reality. I think she will.

 

[jdubct]

With A'ja and Stewie you don't have to have a true 5, with them in the game together, other teams have a bigger problem defending them, and they can defend a 5, advantage UConn

Agree. The 2002 undefeated team did not have a true center. With a front court of Jones, Williams, and Cash, they were able to play excellent defense and rebound.

 

[Huskyfan23]

A'ja is not a center and she does not want to play the 5.

She is absolutely a center my friend. I also read her quotes about wanting to play the 3 but her game simply does not translate to that of a 3{at least it doesn't now}. Her ball handling skills are a bit limited and she doesn't have the consistent outside jump shot needed to keep defenses honest. Don't get me wrong she is a hell of a player and I am not knocking her but her bread n butter is in the post. She is too good of a rebounder and shot blocker to play away from the basket. She also has a tremendous feel for defenders in the post and can feel offside help coming and make the correct pass. I think that Wilson's game is absolutely perfect for the UCONN system.{and not just because I am a UConn fan} The way Geno likes to run his offense through the 5 at the top of the key and foul line area will allow for Wilson to use her athleticism to either drive to the basket or rely on her midrange jumper. It will also keep her close enough to the post to exploit smaller defenders.

 

[Icebear]

She is absolutely a center my friend. I also read her quotes about wanting to play the 3 but her game simply does not translate to that of a 3{at least it doesn't now}. Her ball handling skills are a bit limited and she doesn't have the consistent outside jump shot needed to keep defenses honest. Don't get me wrong she is a hell of a player and I am not knocking her but her bread n butter is in the post. She is too good of a rebounder and shot blocker to play away from the basket. She also has a tremendous feel for defenders in the post and can feel offside help coming and make the correct pass. I think that Wilson's game is absolutely perfect for the UCONN system.{and not just because I am a UConn fan} The way Geno likes to run his offense through the 5 at the top of the key and foul line area will allow for Wilson to use her athleticism to either drive to the basket or rely on her midrange jumper. It will also keep her close enough to the post to exploit smaller defenders.

That may be our perceived reality but in the past she has expressed what eric said. Not every kid understands what is best of their development but I do believe playing with Breanna can help her see the benefit of a broader vision and development.

 

[Tonyc]

Keep in mind how UConn developed Tina and Stef with outside shots. Both played in the middle and outside. A'ja can be the same type player and who knows a little bit of Stewart too. As far as an outside deep outside shooter maybe not yet but that can be developed too, much like Tina and Stef. I think A'jas ability to take it to the hoop along with Stewarts ability to do the same would be an awesome two some. Now add Tuck . Remember this years Soph class has 3 more years.

 

[Huskyfan23]

Keep in mind how UConn developed Tina and Stef with outside shots. Both played in the middle and outside. A'ja can be the same type player and who knows a little bit of Stewart too. As far as an outside deep outside shooter maybe not yet but that can be developed too, much like Tina and Stef. I think A'jas ability to take it to the hoop along with Stewarts ability to do the same would be an awesome two some. Now add Tuck . Remember this years Soph class has 3 more years.

Tina Charles did not make a single 3 point shot in her entire 4 year UCONN career Tony. So I fail to see how Tina "developed into a deep outside shooter." Bottom line is that A'ja Wilson's game is from 15 ft and in. Will she be able to occasionally step out and knock down an outside jumper? Maybe, but she will never be the outside threat that Breanna Stewart is and that is just fine because she is just a different type of player. This being said I feel that Wilson can be a dominant rebounder, shot blocker, and scorer on the blocks.

 

[meyers7]

Would love to have seen Calhoun at UCONN. But best of luck her at Duke (except of course when playing against UCONN).

With the fact she hadn't committed already (with proximity, brother, etc in our favor), with Ekmark already committed and Rooks name popping up, it didn't seem like she would end up at UCONN. Well we can't get them all.

Would still love to see Wilson, Belton/Westbeld, and Rooks show up though.

 

[EricSD]

Guys all I'm saying is she does not want to play the 5. If her experiences with Team USA (and Geno) can convince her that she can thrive the way she wants at UCONN with no true center in her class, a year ahead of her, and 2 years ahead of her at UCONN, and convince her to leave South Carolina for college, then I like our chances.

When UCONN started recruiting Taylor Rooks and I posted on here that it seemed an indication that either UCONN was backing off Calhoun, or that Calhoun was backing off UCONN, several people berated me. Take what I said FWIW. I don't need to be convinced that she can thrive at UCONN with no true center. Her freshman year she would have Stokes as a senior so it's not like we have no true 5...

 

[Phil]

Tina Charles did not make a single 3 point shot in her entire 4 year UCONN career Tony. So I fail to see how Tina "developed into a deep outside shooter." Bottom line is that A'ja Wilson's game is from 15 ft and in. Will she be able to occasionally step out and knock down an outside jumper? Maybe, but she will never be the outside threat that Breanna Stewart is and that is just fine because she is just a different type of player. This being said I feel that Wilson can be a dominant rebounder, shot blocker, and scorer on the blocks.

As a freshman, Tina did not have a reliable 10-12 foot shot, she got most of her points closer to the basket. Scouting reports pick up on this, and it means defenders can stay in close, and sag if she gets out near the foul line. With the help of the coaches, she developed that shot, which meant defenders had to come out and defend, which opened up the chances for a drive by, or get down low before the defender. Her longer range (3 point) shot has come later, and is just a natural extension of her work on taking shots other than point blank layups.

 

[triaddukefan]

I wrote in another thread last month

My kingdom for a guard and a wing.... I'd even be willing to give up burgers, cake, and donuts for a month if it meant Duke could sign a guard and a wing for 2014.

While Im still ecstatic with yesterday's announcement.... I really need to be more careful of what I write on these messageboards....... if Duke signs a guard..... Im in BIG BIG trouble

 

[meyers7]

I wrote in another thread last month

While Im still ecstatic with yesterday's announcement.... I really need to be more careful of what I write on these messageboards....... if Duke signs a guard..... Im in BIG BIG trouble

I'll give up burgers, cake and donuts if UCONN can get Wilson and Belton.

 

[triaddukefan]

I'll give up burgers, cake and donuts if UCONN can get Wilson and Belton.

But how often do you eat those items??? I could say I would give up eating brocolli, brussel sprouts, and cow liver for a year for ___________, but since I would only eat those items unless being forced fed, or paid big $$$$$ ...... well..

 

[Stray Cat]

Better Durham than South Bend.!!!!

No doubt...everyone knows that Muffet can develop talent (i.e. a viable threat to the Huskies) whereas Coach P is just a big talker (i.e. UConn's punching bag).