UConn General Team Recruiting Thread - Part 2 | Page 2 | The Boneyard

UConn General Team Recruiting Thread - Part 2

I’m not convinced we need a transfer. But it sounds like the current roster situation is favorable to a couple of one-year additions. This would still leave Geno room to recruit, 5 spots worth.

I’ve mentioned Aliyah Moore elsewhere. Donovyn Hunter looks like a promising offensive player familiar with a motion offense and used to being the third scorer. I’m not confident she’d be up for Geno’s defensive demands. That did not strike me as a prominent feature of TCU’s game plan.
 
If there is power forward out there that can rebound, has good hands and is a senior then this would be an awesome addition. The same can be said if there is a guard that can create. They don’t have to be stars. They just have to be great role players. Next years class is to good not to reload.
 
ConnMotors said:
If there is power forward out there that can rebound, has good hands and is a senior then this would be an awesome addition. The same can be said if there is a guard that can create. They don’t have to be stars. They just have to be great role players. Next years class is to good not to reload.
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Agree, but both very athletic and the guard has to be defensive minded as well and in the 6'1" range.
 
What is missing from the guards UConn already has? If they are going to sign a guard, she should be better than the ones they already have. Give the current guards a chance. Otherwise, why were they recruited? UConn brought in a post player no better than the no they had. Develop what you have. How do you think the current players feel about seeing reading about the team seeking players who play the same position they play when they have not yet been given what I call a fair chance. - Kelis, Morgan, Allie, Gandy, Jana.
 
donalddoowop said:
What is missing from the guards UConn already has? If they are going to sign a guard, she should be better than the ones they already have. Give the current guards a chance. Otherwise, why were they recruited? UConn brought in a post player no better than the no they had. Develop what you have. How do you think the current players feel about seeing reading about the team seeking players who play the same position they play when they have not yet been given what I call a fair chance. - Kelis, Morgan, Allie, Gandy, Jana.
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A guard that can score off the dribble. UCONN plays a motion offense, which is successful, but their biggest flaw this tournament was that no one could get any separation without a screen. If their defender recovered quickly, the play was a bust. If the 3 ball is not falling, the offense is terrible.
 
jedmu001 said:
A guard that can score off the dribble. UCONN plays a motion offense, which is successful, but their biggest flaw this tournament was that no one could get any separation without a screen. If their defender recovered quickly, the play was a bust. If the 3 ball is not falling, the offense is terrible.
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I made a similar post regarding the need for another player that can get to the rim off the bounce and finish through traffic or get fouled. The team needed another consistent scorer when outside shots weren't falling. I had hoped that Serah Williams would be a strong threat who routinely posted a double-double and opened up the perimeter but she had "Roberto Duran Fists of Stone." I have similar hopes for Olivia in the post, but I think that a portal player, whether guard or forward, is the most likely solution.
 
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Jordan Lee is really the only player that interests me so far because I think she represents a clear and obvious “upgrade.”

I think the team could use more shooting and more shot creating ability. Lee is at least more shooting.

I am scared about taking a big out of the portal because Serah Williams (never) and Dorka Juhasz (year 2) have convinced me that it takes longer for bigs to acclimate.
 
donalddoowop said:
What is missing from the guards UConn already has? If they are going to sign a guard, she should be better than the ones they already have. Give the current guards a chance. Otherwise, why were they recruited? UConn brought in a post player no better than the no they had. Develop what you have. How do you think the current players feel about seeing reading about the team seeking players who play the same position they play when they have not yet been given what I call a fair chance. - Kelis, Morgan, Allie, Gandy, Jana.
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Even though you may be correct with what you are saying however I have to disagree. The Class of 2027 is loaded with talent. Geno and staff can haul in 3-5 top 10 players. Kelis, Morgan, Jovana and Olivia are young and still raw players. They will develop, learn the system and play. This is why it would benefit the team to bring in a guard and a post player. They do not need to he 5 star players. They just need to be team players that only have a year of eligibility left. The portal will be open for a while longer. I’m sure that other players will continue to jump in.
 
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darrell said:
Coach Cardoza is now following Donovyn Hunter (TCU).

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Appears to be pretty quick and athletic but I'm not sure that another big guard is really needed unless Morgan is not going to be 100% next season.......looking for a big forward to help Sara with rebounding responsibilities.....
 
donalddoowop said:
What is missing from the guards UConn already has? If they are going to sign a guard, she should be better than the ones they already have. Give the current guards a chance. Otherwise, why were they recruited? UConn brought in a post player no better than the no they had. Develop what you have. How do you think the current players feel about seeing reading about the team seeking players who play the same position they play when they have not yet been given what I call a fair chance. - Kelis, Morgan, Allie, Gandy, Jana.
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Other posters have done a good job of explaining whats missing from this group.

Everyone knows that when kids are recruited by UConn Geno doesn't promise them minutes or starts, they need to be earned. How do you know the players you named haven't been given a "fair chance"? Is it possible that other players earned their minutes because they performed better in practice and games?

Incoming transfers would have to compete for minutes the same as the current players. The players who practice the hardest, give the most energy, learn the system, hit shots will play. That's the UConn way.
 
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husky98 said:
Other posters have done a good job of explaining whats missing from this group.

Everyone knows that when kids are recruited by UConn Geno doesn't promise them minutes or starts, they need to be earned. How do you know the players you named haven't been given a "fair chance"? Is it possible that other players earned their minutes because they performed better in practice and games?

Incoming transfers would have to compete for minutes the same as the current players. The players who practice the hardest, give the most energy, learn the system, hit shots will play. That's the UConn way.
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Kelis has played only sparingly as a freshman and like many UConn freshmen needs a chance in her sophomore season to earn that time. Morgan showed she can play but her injury has hindered her. She has earned a right to be given another chance. Gandy did not play at all and was not expected to. Will she be recruited over before she gets a real chance. The players I named all chose UConn because they wanted to play there. Does that not give them the right to have an opportunity to show what they can do after one season? UConn players earn playing time at practice but to me, it seems a player should also earn playing time by the way they play in games. IMO, there were players last season who should have lost some of that playing time judging by the way they played in games. Think what you want, I think what I want.
 
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Stagnant said:
If we don’t bring anyone in via the portal… are we maximizing the Sarah years?

Maybe Popovic is just that good? But I don’t see her helping with rebounding and athleticism.
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Jovana and rebounding? (I don't think so!) Athleticism and Jovana: yes!!!! To answer the questions (?... above); one has only is paraphrase "ESPN'S GAMEDAY":
"Let's go to the videotape!" == i.e. Go to the multiple "Jovana"
threads/video highlights (on the BONEYARD) and view this MARVELOUS talent!
Note, from a WORLD Vs USA WBB internet site:
Jovana Popova: 5' 9.5", 143 #, Standing reach: 7'5", Wingspan: 5'9",
Hand length: 8 ", Hand width: 7". ALSO: Manyacka, Vukosa, Okeke, and
Eve Long are also listed with their physical "stats". Of interest was "world" player
Kathy Emma Otto: 6' 1.5" with an 8' 4.5" "standing reach" = could that
be true? POI Eve Long: 6'3" reportedly had an 8'2" standing reach. For
comparison: "the Big O" was measured as 6'4", 225 # with a standing
reach of 8' 4" and a "wingspan" of 6'6", a Hand Length of 8.5" and
a Hand Width of 8.75". INTERESTING STUFF, NO?
 
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My opinion is Skylar Forbes checks the boxes for what is needed and would fit well. I worry that getting a portal player that cannot adapt to sharing the ball, playing aggressive D and being all about the common good is not what is wanted. In these times, maximizing NIL and showcasing what you can bring are undeniably part of the equation for kids having WNBA aspirations. I trust Geno & staff to get what they believe they need to make it to the final game of 2027. My opinion is more is needed than what the roster has today win versus the USC, SC, and a few select others who will add talent that make the difference, and I think we need to add a front court talent and a playmaking guard who can score off the dribble. Maybe Jovana Popova is the answer to the latter. Team chemistry and a look to the top players available in the next recruiting cycle are also important to consider.
 
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donalddoowop said:
What is missing from the guards UConn already has? If they are going to sign a guard, she should be better than the ones they already have. Give the current guards a chance. Otherwise, why were they recruited? UConn brought in a post player no better than the no they had. Develop what you have. How do you think the current players feel about seeing reading about the team seeking players who play the same position they play when they have not yet been given what I call a fair chance. - Kelis, Morgan, Allie, Gandy, Jana.
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This is D1 basketball not High School guys. If you get recruited to this high profile program you must produce ! We just can't settle on a player maybe improving. We are at a level of basketball that we must take any high level players that may be better than what we have to stay on top and challenge for a championship every year. We have very good players but we need an elite point guard and an athletic mobile big. We have a great center coming in but we need more to compete with the South Carolina's and LSU's and Texas . These programs keep getting better players every year to beat Uconn. Uconn needs to recruit players to counter what they are getting. I don't care for Staley but i give her credit for her recruiting top talent.
 
tower1 said:
This is D1 basketball not High School guys. If you get recruited to this high profile program you must produce ! We just can't settle on a player maybe improving. We are at a level of basketball that we must take any high level players that may be better than what we have to stay on top and challenge for a championship every year. We have very good players but we need an elite point guard and an athletic mobile big. We have a great center coming in but we need more to compete with the South Carolina's and LSU's and Texas . These programs keep getting better players every year to beat Uconn. Uconn needs to recruit players to counter what they are getting. I don't care for Staley but i give her credit for her recruiting top talent.
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So, you are saying that Geno does not recruit top talent? Besides Gandy and Kelis who I believe was underrated, every player on the team is a top talent. If they bring in someone who is better, that makes sense. Otherwise, it does not.
 
I really wouldn’t mind if we reached out to either Carys Baker or Skylar Forbes. Also I agree with Jordan Lee but I think that’s a little too far fetched unfortunately.
 
Sarah is going to be a Junior this upcoming basketball season. We all know that she is a generational talent like Paige that has started as a freshman. There are a handful of players that Geno and staff would want on the team. Who do you believe in the Class of 2027 is UConn’s most wanted and will start as a freshman?
 
ConnMotors said:
Sarah is going to be a Junior this upcoming basketball season. We all know that she is a generational talent like Paige that has started as a freshman. There are a handful of players that Geno and staff would want on the team. Who do you believe in the Class of 2027 is UConn’s most wanted and will start as a freshman?
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There are several I would want badly, but the start as a freshmen criteria would be a very high hurdle for even the top recruits at the 5 with Olivia, the 4 with Sarah, or the 3 with Blanca. Smith would probably start but would have to be better as a freshman than Kayleigh is as a senior. A SG would have to be better than Allie as a senior, the possibility of playing Blanca there, Jovanna as a soph, Kelis as a junior, or maybe even Morgan.
 
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ConnMotors said:
The 2027 class is loaded with talented players. Currently at the top is PG Kaleena Smith. Other players are #2 Ivanna Wilson Manyacka. She is a 6’2” guard or wing that can play multi positions. From all that I have read this young lady is Geno’s must must must get. Haylen Ayers is the #5 player on ESPNs Top 100 list. She is a 6’0” guard. At #6 is Jordyn Palmer a 6’1” wing. Eve Long is at #8 and is a 6’3” forward. From everything written on this board about her she is another must must get. Then there is #11 wing Lauren Hassell at 6’3”. At the top of the list in 2028 are #2 Sydney Douglas a 6’5” forward and #4 Ella Pepper a 6’4”tall wing.
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I was hoping the Geno and Staff would have gotten a commitment or two from a young lady mentioned above by now. This Class is full of talent and UConn needs to refill the roster. I bet that Geno would coach into his 80’s if he can sign a TASSK type of class here.
 
ConnMotors said:
I was hoping the Geno and Staff would have gotten a commitment or two from a young lady mentioned above by now. This Class is full of talent and UConn needs to refill the roster. I bet that Geno would coach into his 80’s if he can sign a TASSK type of class here.
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One could conjecture that he already has one or two of these up his sleeve, as with only 3 days to go, he appears not interested in anyone out of the portal.
 
ERWUC65 said:
One could conjecture that he already has one or two of these up his sleeve, as with only 3 days to go, he appears not interested in anyone out of the portal.
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I'm not sure if we can reach much of a conclusion on the portal at this point. Getting one or two of the top players is complicated because there isn't an easy path to significant playing time. Uconn usually keeps things pretty quiet, but we have had indications Morgan was following two guards that have already gone elsewhere. Sounds like there at least was interest in them, and if anything the need was more upfront.

Geno may not be interested in anyone, it's just that he still could be, and this year instead of going for the top players, he may have to wait for the dust to settle, and see who else is left that might be a good backup, or injury insurance.
 
So many funny comments in this thread. 😄

Sarah Strong is not "a post" - she can play there in a small ball lineup, but that is not (and never will be) her natural position.

Kelis has shown a strong willingness to shoot the ball. She has not shown a strong ability to make shots (other than Heckel-esque twisting, diving, hail mary, scoop shots). Putting her at SG is laughable with so many other options already on the roster.

Jana can shoot jumpers, but unless she learns how to hold onto the ball, stop picking up her first foul at the scorers table, and make 2-foot bunnies, she will be back to her 10 minutes of garbage time. Geno should make her carry a basketball from now until next October and have random people take swipes at it until she figures it out.

People forget Morgan C was getting regular minutes two seasons ago. She's like a transfer and should be in the rotation at forward.

Vukosa is this year's "she's the best center we've ever had and her jersey deserves to be hung in the rafters" over-hyped freshman (or in the case of Serah W, transfer). She's not a PF, although she does have good range. She's a post - a freshman post - she and Jana and Gandy can fight over back-up minutes next year.

We need:
  • A REAL post player who is a defensive stopper and take-no-prisoners rebounder. Dorka 2.0 would be fantastic.
  • A rotational SG/SF with 40%+ 3-point range to supplement Allie and Ash (who'd better fix her shooting issues FAST).
  • A backup PF for depth.
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
 
jeff30189 said:
Kelis has shown a strong willingness to shoot the ball. She has not shown a strong ability to make shots (other than Heckel-esque twisting, diving, hail mary, scoop shots). Putting her at SG is laughable with so many other options already on the roster.
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She is a 2 (commonly referred to as a SG). When UConn emptied the bench -- either K9 or KK remained on the floor to play the 1. Because Kelis is not a 1 (at least not yet).

She certainly isn't a 5. Or a 4. Or a 3. The only number on the court is remaining is 2.

IOW, I found your post humorous.
 
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