U17 and U18 recruiting target observations

[Charliebball]

I'm a bit skeptical about Williams' outside shot. Like to see her play more. Frankly, I think Nelson-Ododa would be a better fit. UConn really has enough guards and guard types for the next few years.

I would agree that there may be enough fire power from the guard/wing position but CW is a special player.........she didn't shoot well during the summer as she had an eye problem and a hand injury if I remember correctly.........the only current UConn player with a better outside shot is KLS..........here's some video as a reminder.....the outside shooting barrage starts at about the 2:45 mark

ESPN's #1 Ranked Guard In The 2018 Class Christyn Williams Junior Season Mixtape!

 

[oldude]

I would tend to agree but I'd like to see how the four shoot this season before I solidify my opinion......CW is superior offensively from the outside and off the drive to any of the four as far as I can tell...of course there is no substitute for height and ultra athletic height at that

Well, it certainly doesn't have to be an either/or scenario. No reason that the Huskies couldn't end up with C. Collier, ONO & CW. Of course that would be bad for WBB.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

here's some video as a reminder.....the outside shooting barrage starts at about the 2:45 mark

ESPN's #1 Ranked Guard In The 2018 Class Christyn Williams Junior Season Mixtape!

Problem is those mixtapes don't always paint the best picture. You could make one of Megan Walker hitting 30 threes in a row but the truth is she has not shot well from the perimeter for years.

 

[CocoHusky]

I would agree that there may be enough fire power from the guard/wing position but CW is a special player....she didn't shoot well during the summer as she had an eye problem and a hand injury if I remember correctly....the only current UConn player with a better outside shot is KLS.....here's some video as a reminder.....the outside shooting barrage starts at about the 2:45 mark

That Canadian import shot it better from 3 point land last year than KLS and shot reliably for the last three years. In fact UCONN had 4 players Napheesa, Saniya, KLS, & Kia) shoot @ 40% or better last year on the 3 ball. I don't consider CW a better shooter than the three returning.

 

[Charliebball]

Problem is those mixtapes don't always paint the best picture. You could make one of Megan Walker hitting 30 threes in a row but the truth is she has not shot well from the perimeter for years.

true but there's simply no comparison between the two when it comes to knocking down their outside shots..........MW was ranked #1 for her all around game, CW's ranked the #1 shooting guard in the country because she can fill it up from anywhere on the court

 

[oldude]

true but there's simply no comparison between the two when it comes to knocking down their outside shots.....MW was ranked #1 for her all around game, CW's ranked the #1 shooting guard in the country because she can fill it up from anywhere on the court

I hate to be a buzz kill, but several recruiting services ranked Courtney Ekmark as the best shooting guard in the country during her senior year of HS.

 

[Charliebball]

That Canadian import shot it better from 3 point land last year than KLS and shot reliably for the last three years. In fact UCONN had 4 players Napheesa, Saniya, KLS, & Kia) shoot @ 40% or better last year on the 3 ball. I don't consider CW a better shooter than the three returning.

I'll take CW over all but KLS but I sure hope we get to see who's right on that question in the gym during practice next year

 

[MilfordHusky]

Are those the only two UConn targets to join Charli Collier next season? Getting both would be awesome but if the Huskies could only land one, would CW or ONO address a bigger need?

I think Olivia may address a bigger need, but Christyn would balance the class better. If we get Olivia, at 6'4", she and Charli, at 6'5", will play volleyball on the backboards.

Some people think that Christyn is at least as good as Meg, which is very, very good.

If we get all 3, that class could rival Stewie, Moriah, and Morgan.

 

[Charliebball]

I hate to be a buzz kill, but several recruiting services ranked Courtney Ekmark as the best shooting guard in the country during her senior year of HS.

good point ..............every player no matter their ranking has to prove they can thrive at the highest level........it took Saniya three full seasons to figure it out and she was also considered a great high school shooter

 

[Sluconn Husky]

true but there's simply no comparison between the two when it comes to knocking down their outside shots.....MW was ranked #1 for her all around game, CW's ranked the #1 shooting guard in the country because she can fill it up from anywhere on the court

I think Williams is more valued for her ability off the dribble and mid-range game. Most of the write-ups on her don't mention deep range as a strength.


Naples Holiday Shootout-December 2016: Lefty combo-guard manufactures consistently off the dribble; mid-range game producer, physical off the bounce, makes plays vs. contact; an elite prospect in the 2018 class. (Olson)


When asked about Williams game ProspectsNation publisher Chris Hansen said "Williams is competitive to her core. She loves to take play against the best as a measuring stick and so far she has stacked up well. Her explosiveness with the ball stands out but she has emerged as a leader on the floor and could be running the show as a lead guard at the next level."

 

[CocoHusky]

I hate to be a buzz kill, but several recruiting services ranked Courtney Ekmark as the best shooting guard in the country during her senior year of HS.

good point ....every player no matter their ranking has to prove they can thrive at the highest level...it took Saniya three full seasons to figure it out and she was also considered a great high school shooter

Slight corrections Courtney was regarded as best Shooter in the class and she did not play HS basketball her senior year.
She was ranked the 5th Best Shooting Guard by ESPN. Interestingly enough both Gabby Williams & Sadie Edwards were ranked higher at SG position than Courtney.
courtney-ekmark

 

[Golden Husky]

I would agree that there may be enough fire power from the guard/wing position but CW is a special player....she didn't shoot well during the summer as she had an eye problem and a hand injury if I remember correctly....the only current UConn player with a better outside shot is KLS.....here's some video as a reminder.....the outside shooting barrage starts at about the 2:45 mark

ESPN's #1 Ranked Guard In The 2018 Class Christyn Williams Junior Season Mixtape!

Thanks for the video. Quite the ankle-breaker.

 

[UConnCat]

Most of us have only seen Williams play for USA basketball (U17, 3x3 and U19) and the results have been mixed. Of course, that's been true of other players who turned out okay (e.g., Maya).

Williams played in the U17 world championships in 2016 -- the tournament that garnered so much attention for ONO. Christyn was the 2nd leading scorer (11.9 ppg) while leading the team in shots attempted. She shot 37% overall (29-77) and 31% on 3-pointers (10-32). She did make 100% of her free-throws (15-15). With the exception of ONO, the entire USA team shot poorly so Christyn had lots of company.

Williams played in the 3x3 U18 world cup and won gold with teammates Decosta, Bailey and Littleton. I'm not aware of stats from the tournament but my memory is that Williams struggled from the perimeter.

Williams was on the U19 team that lost to Russia at the recent world championships and her minutes were limited. She often looked like the youngest player on the team. She made 31% (6-19) of her shots and 22% of her 3-pointers (2-9).

 

[Charliebball]

Last high school season CW shot 57% from the field 38.4% from three

 

[CocoHusky]

Not concerned in the least about CW or the shooting numbers she's put up in either HS or USA basketball. CW get's buckets! I'm projecting that she will lead UCONN in scoring and shot attempts as a Sophomore.

 

[Charliebball]

Not concerned in the least about CW or the shooting numbers she's put up in either HS or USA basketball. CW get's buckets! I'm projecting that she will lead UCONN in scoring and shot attempts as a Sophomore.

right you are.........she's a left handed assassin on the court!!!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Most of us have only seen Williams play for USA basketball (U17, 3x3 and U19) and the results have been mixed. Of course, that's been true of other players who turned out okay (e.g., Maya).

Williams played in the U17 world championships in 2016 -- the tournament that garnered so much attention for ONO. Christyn was the 2nd leading scorer (11.9 ppg) while leading the team in shots attempted. She shot 37% overall (29-77) and 31% on 3-pointers (10-32). She did make 100% of her free-throws (15-15). With the exception of ONO, the entire USA team shot poorly so Christyn had lots of company.

Williams played in the 3x3 U18 world cup and won gold with teammates Decosta, Bailey and Littleton. I'm not aware of stats from the tournament but my memory is that Williams struggled from the perimeter.

Williams was on the U19 team that lost to Russia at the recent world championships and her minutes were limited. She often looked like the youngest player on the team. She made 31% (6-19) of her shots and 22% of her 3-pointers (2-9).

Christyn is still only 17, so I believe that she "played up" in all 3 years.

 

[Golden Husky]

right you are....she's a left handed assassin on the court!!!

From the video I watched she looks difficult to handle off the dribble and had little trouble penetrating into the paint. An outside shooting touch only makes her more of a nightmare for defenders. I'm sure she'd look good in UConn finery.

 

[Charliebball]

From the video I watched she looks difficult to handle off the dribble and had little trouble penetrating into the paint. An outside shooting touch only makes her more of a nightmare for defenders. I'm sure she'd look good in UConn finery.

she's very aggressive and will take anybody off the dribble if they give her any space at all.....add the mid range game and the outside shooting and she is basically just a real pain in the butt to guard...........

 

[oldude]

she's very aggressive and will take anybody off the dribble if they give her any space at all.....add the mid range game and the outside shooting and she is basically just a real pain in the butt to guard......

Sounds like she'd be the perfect recruit for a "pain in the butt" coach.

 

[eebmg]

Just trying it on for size. . Just for clarification in case I send someone to the hospital, this is not real yet but manufactured.

 

[Golden Husky]

Just trying it on for size. . Just for clarification in case I send someone to the hospital, this is not real yet but manufactured.



View attachment 24705

Are the Huskies recruiting Honesty Scott-Grayson or will it be Mikayla Coombs and/or AEH as the likely successor(s) to Crystal at PG?

 

[MilfordHusky]

Are the Huskies recruiting Honesty Scott-Grayson or will it be Mikayla Coombs and/or AEH as the likely successor(s) to Crystal at PG?

We were looking at HSG at one point, but stopped. I think one issue was that her parent was "over involved" and demanding, which never works with Geno.

In addition to Charli, who has committed, the only remaining 2018 targets are CWill and ONO.

 

[Golden Husky]

We were looking at HSG at one point, but stopped. I think one issue was that her parent was "over involved" and demanding, which never works with Geno.

In addition to Charli, who has committed, the only remaining 2018 targets are CWill and ONO.

Thanks for the update.

 

[Charliebball]

Are the Huskies recruiting Honesty Scott-Grayson or will it be Mikayla Coombs and/or AEH as the likely successor(s) to Crystal at PG?

I don't think that either MC or AEH are technically point guards.............it may be point guard by committee ..........I would assume that UConn will look for a point guard from the stacked 2020 class to be brought in as Crystal's successor...............never understood the high rankings for HSG............seen her on tape and in person and while she clearly has ability, I have yet to see her play at a high level for an entire game

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I .....I would assume that UConn will look for a point guard from the stacked 2020 class to be brought in as Crystal's successor.....

Yeah, this isn't real difficult. Danger is around through '19. Bueckers should be target #1 for 2020 and be a potential starter as a freshmen. A combo guard but one who can run the offense and command the floor.

 

[Dillon77]

I don't think that either MC or AEH are technically point guards...it may be point guard by committee .....I would assume that UConn will look for a point guard from the stacked 2020 class to be brought in as Crystal's successor.....never understood the high rankings for HSG..seen her on tape and in person and while she clearly has ability, I have yet to see her play at a high level for an entire game

You're right....point guards (or combo guards that can run the offense) are in surplus in 2020, much like off-guards/wings are taking root in 2019. (I just did a recruiting update for the ND site so these position-by-position breakdowns are still lodged in my brain!

 

[Charliebball]

You're right....point guards (or combo guards that can run the offense) are in surplus in 2020, much like off-guards/wings are taking root in 2019. (I just did a recruiting update for the ND site so these position-by-position breakdowns are still lodged in my brain!

Dillon - Did you see that Dara Mabrey didn't even make the ESPN top 100..............Faith Masonius made it easily in 2019 class..........................somebody clearly dropped the ball..........

 

[Dillon77]

Dillon - Did you see that Dara Mabrey didn't even make the ESPN top 100....Faith Masonius made it easily in 2019 class......somebody clearly dropped the ball.....

Yeah, there were a couple of head-scratchers in there. Besides Dara:
- Michelle Sidor isn't listed in the U19s (in Prospects Nation, she's #17)
- In the 2018s, Arieal Scott, good enough to be offered by Duke at one point, is now #100 in HG, while staying at #38 in PN.
- On the flip side -- also in 20198 -- Naz Hillmon, who had never previously made a list, zooms up to #55 in HG, while staying at #110 in PN. Well, better some recognition late by HG (who probably didn't want egg on their face), since Michigan offered her.

The thought hit me last night that the ratings are kind of like the old figure skating ratings...discount the high and low and average the middle. In this case, see where they are and figure somewhere in the middle, then see who is recruiting.

 

[CocoHusky]

Are the Huskies recruiting Honesty Scott-Grayson or will it be Mikayla Coombs and/or AEH as the likely successor(s) to Crystal at PG?

No reported interest by UCONN in Honesty Scott-Grayson for almost 2 years now. Coombs and AEH are more 2 guards than PG. In the 2019 class UCONN has expressed interest in Yasmeen Chang & Zia Cooke as potential replacements for Crystal at PG. The 2020 class is also knee deep with PGs ( Lith, Clark, Bueckers, Andrews, Paopao). Of course Crystal graduates before the class of 2020 comes on campus so a freshmen PG would have to be a major contributor on day 1. Sign me up for the Bueckers camp all day.