U17 and U18 recruiting target observations

[SCGamecock]

I think the 45points a game is referring to her last year of high school.

A little far fetched to AVERAGE 45 points but if you're the focal point of your high school team that lacks other big stars then 30 points per game isn't too crazy, especially when you already average 20+ ppg.

 

[Carnac]

I cut and pasted this from the ND article regarding the watch aspect and put in a link to the und.com article for some background on the Irish and Chippewas. Enjoy!

How to Watch/Listen
The first official steps towards creation of an ACC Network began this summer in conjunction with ESPN. All non-televised home games which used to be streamed live online through WatchND (including Friday night's) will now be streamed under the banner of ACC Network Extra. Games are available online at WatchESPN.com (formerly branded as ESPN3) or through the WatchESPN app. Streams are free to all ESPN subscribers.

Information on how to access WatchESPN is available here.

For those familiar with the WatchESPN, the direct link to the webcast of Friday night's game is available here.

#1/2 Irish Ready For Season Opener

Thanks. I have access to the ACC net. I watched some of the Florida St/Jacksonville St game a moment ago on the ACC network on watch ESPN.

 

[BobbyJ]

I think the 45points a game is referring to her last year of high school.

A little far fetched to AVERAGE 45 points but if you're the focal point of your high school team that lacks other big stars then 30 points per game isn't too crazy, especially when you already average 20+ ppg.

Good catch on that SC. While laughing I missed that detail. However, if she's as good as she thinks, she probably should've done that last year. Her team only averaged 55 a game and the competition( at least in Fla.) isn't what you'd call stiff. I agree that 30 isn't unreasonable, she should probably get that on layups.

 

[Dillon77]

Thanks. I have access to the ACC net. I watched some of the Florida St/Jacksonville St game a moment ago on the ACC network on watch ESPN.

Cool. This is basically an ND production that is marketed under the ACC brand (and presumably makes some kind of money for them and/or the cable provider, but is free for subscribers).

Bad news: frosh Jackie Young is out "for awhile" due to thumb injury suffered in the last exhibition. NG.

Still look forward to seeing start of season and frosh Erin Boley.

 

[Charliebball]

Raoul ‏@Raoul_000 5h5 hours ago
WBB: UCLA is the choice for top-10 2017 prospect Michaela Onyenwere, 6-0 W, Grandview HS (Aurora, CO) / NM Heat Elite AAU

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Raoul ‏@Raoul_000 5h5 hours ago
WBB: UCLA is the choice for top-10 2017 prospect Michaela Onyenwere, 6-0 W, Grandview HS (Aurora, CO) / NM Heat Elite AAU

Won't make Vols fans happy. UCLA is really bringing in some talent.

 

[tennparker3]

Won't make Vols fans happy. UCLA is really bringing in some talent.

I think most of us that follow recruiting closely knew UCLA was likely her choice. No biggie.
Rennia Davis is still on the board for us and that one we feel a little more positive about. For a while she has been considered a GT lean but Tennessee was her last visit and it sounds like we have made a strong push for her.

2018 is shaping up well for us too and it sounds like we may not be waiting as long for commits.

I think UConn and Tennessee will be pulling in the top classes this year and next.

Texas continues to bring in big time recruits. They just landed Boothe and have a commitment from 2018 Sedona Prince.

ND got Patterson but overall had a weaker class this year. Maryland could very well miss out completely... much like Tennessee last year (with the exception of K. Harris of course)

 

[Sluconn Husky]

2018 is shaping up well for us too and it sounds like we may not be waiting as long for commits.

I think UConn and Tennessee will be pulling in the top classes this year and next.

Considering the amount of bodies the Huskies will have I don't know if they can take more than one player in '18. And speaking of 2018, Charli Collier scored 41 points today for Barber Hill but lost to Alexis Morris who put up 56.

UConn may have to wait for 2019 to strike gold again. I'm cautiously optimistic about Sam Brunelle who seemed awfully excited about Megan Walker's decision.

 

[UcMiami]

Considering the amount of bodies the Huskies will have I don't know if they can take more than one player in '18. And speaking of 2018, Charli Collier scored 41 points today for Barber Hill but lost to Alexis Morris who put up 56.

UConn may have to wait for 2019 to strike gold again. I'm cautiously optimistic about Sam Brunelle who seemed awfully excited about Megan Walker's decision.

I suspect Uconn will be looking for two players out of 2018 with a big a high priority - Geno and co don't like single player classes and a sequence of 4*, 4, 2 for three classes would be about right - with transfers on the roster for the next three (including this year) junior classes you never know if a player will stay for the fifth year (Butler, Stevens, and Camara.) On top of that, recent history suggests the possibility of either a transfer or a medical redshirt in the next couple of years is not unlikely.

 

[CocoHusky]

I suspect Uconn will be looking for two players out of 2018 with a big a high priority - Geno and co don't like single player classes and a sequence of 4*, 4, 2 for three classes would be about right - with transfers on the roster for the next three (including this year) junior classes you never know if a player will stay for the fifth year (Butler, Stevens, and Camara.) On top of that, recent history suggests the possibility of either a transfer or a medical redshirt in the next couple of years is not unlikely.

There are a couple of other reason I also don't see a 1 person class for UCONN in 2018. The quality of the post players that UCONN is already engaged with 6 (Nelson- Ododa, Smith, Austin, Owens, Cosgrove, & Collier). 2018 class is the last opportunity to overlap with N. Collier, KLS & Azura'. One year later and there is no overlap and you are suddenly relying on Freshmen to help fill that huge void vs. Sophomores.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Going to have 11 players before adding in any freshmen in '18 and six of those players are potential AA candidates. I don't see more than one being a good idea.

I'd suggest the reason for so many transfers in recent years is too many talented players and not enough minutes.

 

[CocoHusky]

Going to have 11 players before adding in any freshmen in '18 and six of those players are potential AA candidates. I don't see more than one being a good idea.
I'd suggest the reason for so many transfers in recent years is too many talented players and not enough minutes.

I agree that is the main reason for transfers. If they are going to have transfers it will happen between now and 2018 so no guarantee we get to 2018 with 11. I only see 4 AA candidates (KLS, Walker, Dangerfield, & Stevens). Who else, Collier?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I agree that is the main reason for transfers. If they are going to have transfers it will happen between now and 2018 so no guarantee we get to 2018 with 11. I only see 4 AA candidates (KLS, Walker, Dangerfield, & Stevens). Who else, Collier?

I was confusing '17 with '18. I'd include Collier at the moment so perhaps five candidates. Either way, it is going to be overly crowded next year and still so the next year.

 

[UcMiami]

I'd suggest the reason for so many transfers in recent years is too many talented players and not enough minutes.

I don't really think that is a valid generalization:
Boykin - left for personal reasons after starting her freshman year injured
Ekmark - left for playing time after not playing well enough in the system to get meaningful minutes
Edwards - left for personal reasons in her freshman year (two months into a season is not about minutes.)
Banks - left for personal reasons after an injury plagued career.
Engeln - Left for playing time after not playing well enough to get meaningful minutes
Johnson - Left for a variety of reasons including playing with her sister after struggling with injuries
Walker - Left for personal reasons

So of the last 7 transfers out four left for personal reasons, while the other three may well have left primarily because of playing time, but the playing time was tied into their ability to perform at the level of their surrounding teammates - in each case there were minutes available on the team the years they left if they had the ability to earn it.
On the current team, we have no idea about our three freshman in terms of their ability nor are we really sure about Butler and I suppose we could say there are questions about our two transfers in, though the general assumption is they have a lot of talent and will thrive. And we of course don't now how the adjustment to Uconn and college will go for our four signees.

On the other side of the 'playing time' issue is a pretty long list of players who have stayed while never cracking the significant playing time equation or not cracking it in their first few years. of the recruited players in the recent past - Chong and Kiah stand out, but Gabby also struggled as a freshman to see meaningful minutes and the jury is out on Butler after an injury plagued first year.

 

[hoophuskee]

If we have enough for 3 then Go after three elite stars in the 2018 class - two bigs and a guard. We have enough for 3, right?

On our roster will be: (1) Azura, (2) Katie, (3) Napheesa, (4) Molly, (5) Crystal, (6) Kyla, (7) Batouly, (8) Andra, (9) Lexi, (10) Mikalya, and (11) Megan.
That leaves three, right?


As others say there will probably be transfers or injury issues. But more importantly once Stevens, KLS and NC go we'll lose size and lose a certain physicality along with a ton of supreme talent. Potentially three all-americans - and could be 1st team a/a's to boot. As mentioned by coco you don't want to rely on frosh-- though we certainly can and have in the past. With that said, so what if players transfer, what's the big deal? They don't have to transfer but if they choose to, its not a big deal. When we get in conference play and frankly next year and year after if we're healthy- even vs tough teams we'll give young players opportunities. Geno isn't going to play his starters 35 minutes. No more than 30 and even less than that for some. Some players get into the doghouse for a few games then play plenty of minutes in others.

Plus -- can Butler, Stevens, Nurse and Camara all leave one year early? Thus there is some risk. Go after 3.

Is UCONN also going after Nicoletti?
And did I read on this site somewhere that NayLyssa Smith got hurt?

 

[UcMiami]

If we have enough for 3 then Go after three elite stars in the 2018 class - two bigs and a guard. We have enough for 3, right?

On our roster will be: (1) Azura, (2) Katie, (3) Napheesa, (4) Molly, (5) Crystal, (6) Kyla, (7) Batouly, (8) Andra, (9) Lexi, (10) Mikalya, and (11) Megan.
That leaves three, right?


As others say there will probably be transfers or injury issues. But more importantly once Stevens, KLS and NC go we'll lose size and lose a certain physicality along with a ton of supreme talent. Potentially three all-americans - and could be 1st team a/a's to boot. As mentioned by coco you don't want to rely on frosh-- though we certainly can and have in the past. With that said, so what if players transfer, what's the big deal? They don't have to transfer but if they choose to, its not a big deal. When we get in conference play and frankly next year and year after if we're healthy- even vs tough teams we'll give young players opportunities. Geno isn't going to play his starters 35 minutes. No more than 30 and even less than that for some. Some players get into the doghouse for a few games then play plenty of minutes in others.

Plus -- can Butler, Stevens, Nurse and Camara all leave one year early? Thus there is some risk. Go after 3.

Is UCONN also going after Nicoletti?
And did I read on this site somewhere that NayLyssa Smith got hurt?

Left off (12) Natalie.
And yes that does leave room for three. And yes Natalie could leave after this her senior academic year, Azura could leave after 2017-18 her senior academic year, and Batouly could leave after 2018-19 her senior academic year (and any of them or any other player could leave anytime for reasons other than go into the WNBA draft.)

 

[CocoHusky]

I don't really think that is a valid generalization:
Boykin - left for personal reasons after starting her freshman year injured
Ekmark - left for playing time after not playing well enough in the system to get meaningful minutes
Edwards - left for personal reasons in her freshman year (two months into a season is not about minutes.)
Banks - left for personal reasons after an injury plagued career.
Engeln - Left for playing time after not playing well enough to get meaningful minutes
Johnson - Left for a variety of reasons including playing with her sister after struggling with injuries
Walker - Left for personal reasons

So of the last 7 transfers out four left for personal reasons, while the other three may well have left primarily because of playing time, but the playing time was tied into their ability to perform at the level of their surrounding teammates - in each case there were minutes available on the team the years they left if they had the ability to earn it.
On the current team, we have no idea about our three freshman in terms of their ability nor are we really sure about Butler and I suppose we could say there are questions about our two transfers in, though the general assumption is they have a lot of talent and will thrive. And we of course don't now how the adjustment to Uconn and college will go for our four signees.

On the other side of the 'playing time' issue is a pretty long list of players who have stayed while never cracking the significant playing time equation or not cracking it in their first few years. of the recruited players in the recent past - Chong and Kiah stand out, but Gabby also struggled as a freshman to see meaningful minutes and the jury is out on Butler after an injury plagued first year.

I think it is easier to say "personal reasons" than it is to say "I'm leaving because I'm not getting enough playing time." Courtney & De'Janae are TBD but none got less minutes than they would have had they stayed at UCONN.

 

[hoophuskee]

Left off (12) Natalie.
And yes that does leave room for three. And yes Natalie could leave after this her senior academic year, Azura could leave after 2017-18 her senior academic year, and Batouly could leave after 2018-19 her senior academic year (and any of them or any other player could leave anytime for reasons other than go into the WNBA draft.)

Isn't Natalie a junior this year just like Kia and Gabby? Her frosh year at GTOWN. Last year she would have been a soph. This year a jr. So in her sr year we have the 2017 frosh class of Walker and Coombs and Gordon and Hunter as frosh. Then NB would be gone by the time the 2018 class comes around?

 

[CocoHusky]

. We have enough for 3, right?
Is UCONN also going after Nicoletti?
And did I read on this site somewhere that NayLyssa Smith got hurt?

No, for the 2018 class we would have room for 4.

Not that I'm aware off. I'been doing my homework on Nicoletti recently and suddenly realized I been watching her over the last two summers playing on Brazil teams. She is an intriguing prospect. C. Williams & Jordan Nixon are the guards that UCONN is believed to be looking at in class '18.

No I'm not aware of any injury with NaLyssa Smith.

 

[UcMiami]

I think it is easier to say "personal reasons" than it is to say "I'm leaving because I'm not getting enough playing time." Courtney & De'Janae are TBD but none got less minutes than they would have had they stayed at UCONN.

But a player leaving in the first semester of their freshman year really is not about minutes - it is about not buying into the coaching or having some personal issue outside basketball. Edwards, Boykin, and Walker all left during or after their first semester, before they could prove one way or another what they could do over time. Courtney, Lauren, and Johnson left once the writing was on the wall.
Ekmark absolutely was about minutes (but I do make a distinction about 'productive minutes' - and a comparison to a player like Gabby or even Kiah who both saw a way forward with responsibility and productivity.)

 

[UcMiami]

Isn't Natalie a junior this year just like Kia and Gabby? Her frosh year at GTOWN. Last year she would have been a soph. This year a jr. So in her sr year we have the 2017 frosh class of Walker and Coombs and Gordon and Hunter as frosh. Then NB would be gone by the time the 2018 class comes around?

Freshman year Georgetown, Soph year mandated redshirt, Junior injured thumb (last year) = this year is academically her senior year. She has one more year of eligibility, but if her academics are in order she will graduate in May.

 

[hoophuskee]

Freshman year Georgetown, Soph year mandated redshirt, Junior injured thumb (last year) = this year is academically her senior year. She has one more year of eligibility, but if her academics are in order she will graduate in May.

Right. So it is I said before - she won't be around for the 2018 class. Which is why we'll have three players fro the 2018 class.
Our roster in the 2018 class will be:

On our roster will be: (1) Azura, (2) Katie, (3) Napheesa, (4) Molly, (5) Crystal, (6) Kyla, (7) Batouly, (8) Andra, (9) Lexi, (10) Mikalya, and (11) Megan.

 

[CocoHusky]

But a player leaving in the first semester of their freshman year really is not about minutes - it is about not buying into the coaching or having some personal issue outside basketball.

I have to disagree on Sadie specifically and in general. By the time Sadie decided to leave UCONN had been through a loss at Stanford and a fairly tough game at ND. In those game she got a total of 1 Minute in mop up duty at ND. More telling was a game like Creighton a 36 Point UCONN win in which her fellow Freshmen Gabby got 20 Minutes, Kia got 31 Minutes and Sadie got 4 Minutes. Sadie played in 6 games and averaged only 1 minutes more per game than walkon Lawlor. If a McDonalds HS american is getting as much playing time as a walkon I could see how that becomes a very "personal reason" for leaving. I would be disappointed in Sadie or any other HS AA if she did not take that personally.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Unless Geno has firm info about the 3 transfers, I think he needs to be prudent and recruit as if they all leave early.

Given that Natalie and Azura have only 2 seasons left, I think we need more size in the future. I'd like to get 1-2 out of the group of Nelson-Ododa, Collier, and Smith. I also think Christyn Williams is a UConn lean and far too good to give up on--or let anyone else get.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I don't really think that is a valid generalization:
Boykin - left for personal reasons after starting her freshman year injured
Ekmark - left for playing time after not playing well enough in the system to get meaningful minutes
Edwards - left for personal reasons in her freshman year (two months into a season is not about minutes.)
Banks - left for personal reasons after an injury plagued career.
Engeln - Left for playing time after not playing well enough to get meaningful minutes
Johnson - Left for a variety of reasons including playing with her sister after struggling with injuries
Walker - Left for personal reasons

What constitutes "personal reasons," and how do you know that is not a cover for not going to get a chance to play in some cases? Ekmark, for instance, never said she left due to lack of minutes. She said she was "looking to start a new chapter" in her life.

Sadie Edwards may have seen the writing on the wall since she was getting zero time and the roster was stacked going forward. Might've been the same for Banks with no minutes looming her senior season.

 

[hoophuskee]

I have to disagree on Sadie specifically and in general. By the time Sadie decided to leave UCONN had been through a loss at Stanford and a fairly tough game at ND. In those game she got a total of 1 Minute in mop up duty at ND. More telling was a game like Creighton a 36 Point UCONN win in which her fellow Freshmen Gabby got 20 Minutes, Kia got 31 Minutes and Sadie got 4 Minutes. Sadie played in 6 games and averaged only 1 minutes more per game than walkon Lawlor. If a McDonalds HS american is getting as much playing time as a walkon I could see how that becomes a very "personal reason" for leaving. I would be disappointed in Sadie or any other HS AA if she did not take that personally.

I think "the personal reasons" for Sadie, Johnson, and Banks were mostly the result of playing time.

 

[SCGamecock]

UCONN just signed a blockbuster class of guards/wings... considering how crowded that roster is getting (especially the backcourt) and the quality of bigs coming up, I would be pretty surprised if UCONN signs anything smaller than a forward in 2018...

I think Collier is a husky.

 

[SCGamecock]

I think most of us that follow recruiting closely knew UCLA was likely her choice. No biggie.
Rennia Davis is still on the board for us and that one we feel a little more positive about. For a while she has been considered a GT lean but Tennessee was her last visit and it sounds like we have made a strong push for her.

2018 is shaping up well for us too and it sounds like we may not be waiting as long for commits.

I think UConn and Tennessee will be pulling in the top classes this year and next.

Texas continues to bring in big time recruits. They just landed Boothe and have a commitment from 2018 Sedona Prince.

ND got Patterson but overall had a weaker class this year. Maryland could very well miss out completely... much like Tennessee last year (with the exception of K. Harris of course)

Who do you think Tennessee signs in 2018?

 

[hoophuskee]

UCONN just signed a blockbuster class of guards/wings... considering how crowded that roster is getting (especially the backcourt) and the quality of bigs coming up, I would be pretty surprised if UCONN signs anything smaller than a forward in 2018...

I think Collier is a husky.

I don't agree about only signing a forward. UCONN will have more than 2 scholarships available. No reason to not also go hard after a player such as CWilliams.

 

[Charliebball]

She's a really good player;

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