Tenn Gets a Top Guard in 2017 Class

[CamrnCrz1974]

The 98 ranking from ESPN lost its significance in 2014 therefore your prior analysis is not consistent. For 2014 only 3 player in the class achieved a rating of 98. Mercedes, Diamond & Kaela. A year later ESPN changed ratings and raters and 21 players achieved a rating of 98. From 2014-2016 ESPN has maintained the number of players receiving a rating of 98 fixed at 21. If you want to opine that only 3 players deserved a 98 rating in 2013, you would essentially be undermining you argument because Mercedes and Diamond are Lady Vols.

Actually, ESPN changed its "raters," as it went to Dan Olson, when it had previously used the Prospects Nation people (and the Hoopgurlz guys before that).

 

[CocoHusky]

Actually, ESPN changed its "raters," as it went to Dan Olson, when it had previously used the Prospects Nation people (and the Hoopgurlz guys before that).

Agreed: "A year later ESPN changed ratings and raters". It was Chris Hansen who left ESPN for Prospects Nation in 2014.

 

[trb123]

A post on UTENN's guard development program in the 21st century will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Justavisitor]

A post on UTENN's guard development program in the 21st century will be greatly appreciated.

Guards were included in the previous numbers. Development is impacted by what you start with. Some have much further to go than others. Here are the last 5 years.
Pat's not there any more, so no need to discuss guards from her era.

For the record, across this same span, UConn has had Moriah Jefferson (98 rating that would have excelled any where), KML (98 rating) that doesn't even start in the WNBA, Bria Hartley (96 rating) coming off the bench in WNBA, Kelly Farris (94 rating) contributing in the W, Lauren Englin (93 rating), Brianna Banks (94 rating)

SUMMARY - 8 guards over this span, with 6 who's careers were severely impacted by injuries. 2 with WNBA play. None rated higher than a 96 out of high school and only 2 of them (both injury riddled).

2009 - Taber Spani (96 rating). As a senior, her development was easy to see. The highlight for me was watching her pour over 30 points in over aTm, a team with lightening quick guards that specialized in defense. Taber's back was not about to allow her to play any longer.

Kamiko Williams (93 rating) - ranked 75 on ESPN site, went on to play a short stint in the WNBA. There were several guards rated much higher. She also endured an ACL tear during her time at TN and tore her knee up again in the WNBA. She was drafted #15 over all.

2010 - Meighan Simmons (95 rating) - Entered TN ranked #24 on ESPN and was drafted #26 and contributing in the WNBA today.
Lauren Avant - Major car accident prior to college and it killed her basketball career.

2011 - Ariel Massengale (96 rating) - Prior to her many concussions, she was named player of the month for WCBB her junior season. Concussions, not development, derailed her career.

2012 - Andraya Carter (95 rating) - a history of knee problems to the point she had to shut it down. Bad knees derailed her career.

2013 - Jannah Tucker - horrible incident and she's never recovered from it.
Jordan Reynolds - We can talk after the season

 

[MilfordHusky]

I'm not an expert, but I've heard that the 2018 class is loaded and much stronger than 2017. The 2017 group drops off after Walker, Westbrook, and Boothe. The 2018 group includes Nelson-Ododa, Collier, Smith, Williams, DaCosta, and Scott-Grayson.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Where is Jannah Tucker now, and how is she doing?

 

[VFLfan]

Where is Jannah Tucker now, and how is she doing?

She transferred to Villanova and sat out last year due to transfer rules. Hopefully we'll see her play this year. Wishing the best for her that she will have a successful career.

 

[CocoHusky]

She transferred to Villanova and sat out last year due to transfer rules. Hopefully we'll see her play this year. Wishing the best for her that she will have a successful career.

I will be sure to let everyone know how Jannah is doing this year. I'll be able to catch about 1/2 dozen Nova's women's games. Villanova also brings in a Kelly Jekot this year, Kelly generated interest from UCONN and actually visited early during the recruiting process.

 

[Bayareahusky]

I will be sure to let everyone know how Jannah is doing this year. I'll be able to catch about 1/2 dozen Nova's women's games. Villanova also brings in a Kelly Jekot this year, Kelly generated interest from UCONN and actually visited early during the recruiting process.

Yeah will be good to hear... don't know anyone who knows half of Jannah's story who is not rooting for her with all their energy

 

[Bayareahusky]

Guard Anastasia Hayes commits to Lady Vols

Interesting. They have bounced off the bottom.

But a 5'7" wing, Holly, seriously ... maybe Holly could sell snow to an Eskimo?

I always feel like i have the minority opinion on these things..... but as for recruiting, I think Holly has fared OK, despite what the LV faithful themselves think....

Proof in the pudding is to be seen... how staff develops her.... UT has gotten top 5 players nationally before..... Mercedes, Nared, DD..... and they have not tripped the Richter Scale....

 

[wallman]

I'm not an expert, but I've heard that the 2018 class is loaded and much stronger than 2017. The 2017 group drops off after Walker, Westbrook, and Boothe. The 2018 group includes Nelson-Ododa, Collier, Smith, Williams, DaCosta, and Scott-Grayson.

I am going to respectfully disagree. These classes are the ones losing at fiba americas etc. I think there are no elite players in these classes but a lot of similar players throughout the rankings.

 

[CocoHusky]

I'm not an expert, but I've heard that the 2018 class is loaded and much stronger than 2017. The 2017 group drops off after Walker, Westbrook, and Boothe. The 2018 group includes Nelson-Ododa, Collier, Smith, Williams, DaCosta, and Scott-Grayson.

I am going to respectfully disagree. These classes are the ones losing at fiba americas etc. I think there are no elite players in these classes but a lot of similar players throughout the rankings.

Mike Flynn of Bluestar and Philly Belles agrees with @wallman on this saying I'm paraphrasing: There is no Olympic caliber guard or wing inclusive of the classes from 2016-2019 which would include Crystal Dangerfield Megan Walker and C. Williams. The post players in these classes have also not been stellar consistently getting outplay in international competition by post players from countries like Australia. Although a separate issue the coaching of USA basketball teams at the lower age groups has not been stellar and often making players that are as highly ranked in the class like DeCosta #3 look absolutely athletic but wild.

 

[trb123]

Guards were included in the previous numbers. Development is impacted by what you start with. Some have much further to go than others. Here are the last 5 years.
Pat's not there any more, so no need to discuss guards from her era.

For the record, across this same span, UConn has had Moriah Jefferson (98 rating that would have excelled any where), KML (98 rating) that doesn't even start in the WNBA, Bria Hartley (96 rating) coming off the bench in WNBA, Kelly Farris (94 rating) contributing in the W, Lauren Englin (93 rating), Brianna Banks (94 rating)

SUMMARY - 8 guards over this span, with 6 who's careers were severely impacted by injuries. 2 with WNBA play. None rated higher than a 96 out of high school and only 2 of them (both injury riddled).

2009 - Taber Spani (96 rating). As a senior, her development was easy to see. The highlight for me was watching her pour over 30 points in over aTm, a team with lightening quick guards that specialized in defense. Taber's back was not about to allow her to play any longer.

Kamiko Williams (93 rating) - ranked 75 on ESPN site, went on to play a short stint in the WNBA. There were several guards rated much higher. She also endured an ACL tear during her time at TN and tore her knee up again in the WNBA. She was drafted #15 over all.

2010 - Meighan Simmons (95 rating) - Entered TN ranked #24 on ESPN and was drafted #26 and contributing in the WNBA today.
Lauren Avant - Major car accident prior to college and it killed her basketball career.

2011 - Ariel Massengale (96 rating) - Prior to her many concussions, she was named player of the month for WCBB her junior season. Concussions, not development, derailed her career.

2012 - Andraya Carter (95 rating) - a history of knee problems to the point she had to shut it down. Bad knees derailed her career.

2013 - Jannah Tucker - horrible incident and she's never recovered from it.
Jordan Reynolds - We can talk after the season

Thank you very much.

KML is a forward although she can handle the ball if necessary.
This is an interesting topic and if time permits, I will post in detail soon.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I am going to respectfully disagree. These classes are the ones losing at fiba americas etc. I think there are no elite players in these classes but a lot of similar players throughout the rankings.

Thanks. You know much more about this than I do. What are your thoughts about the 2017 v. 2018 class?

I got the impression that some of the USA teams that lost did so because of an odd collection of talent, weak guard play, poor fundamentals, and lousy coaching. In addition, it seemed that a few players played up in age, which left the younger groups devoid of key talent.

Megan Walker won a gold and silver medal this past summer. I don't know how she feels about the silver, but I do know that Maya Moore would be royally pi$$ed if she had won only a silver medal.

If these kids are lacking something, that says to me that the top players really NEED to be coached up by Geno et al.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I will be sure to let everyone know how Jannah is doing this year. I'll be able to catch about 1/2 dozen Nova's women's games. Villanova also brings in a Kelly Jekot this year, Kelly generated interest from UCONN and actually visited early during the recruiting process.

With Jannah and Kelly, Harry is loading up on talent. Look for them to be at or near the top of the BE in a year or two.

 

[tennparker3]

2018 is about 3 times as deep but the the 2017 class is stronger that what many believe IMO.
I think Walker, Dodson, Davis, Farley-Clark and Westbrook are the cream of the crop with Evans, Hayes, Morris, Carter and Coombs being close. Dodson and Coombs are very much underrated. Prospects Nation has them both rated fairly low for how good I believe they are but the rest of their rankings are pretty accurate.

 

[tennparker3]

I would add Chasity Patterson in there as well.