UConn Recruiting: Hits & Misses

[Charliebball]

Seems like it's time for a new recruiting thread as some of the info has bled into the transfer thread where it really doesn't belong.

Here's my first UConn miss and it's an interesting one:

Evina Westbrook (OR-2017) has announced she's cut her list to L'ville, UMD, ND, Oregon State, Rutgers, South Carolina, Tenn, USC, Washington.

Athletic off-guard with size in the back court, manufactures to the arc, delivers with consistency in transition; versatile defender, rebounds, handles and passes in transition; superb guard skills and the elite scoring guard in the 2017 class. (Olson)

Westbrook is the number three rated player in the Hoopgurlz 2017 class......................she is an off guard/wing in the 2017 with Megan Walker rated as number one........you'll note the same top ten list of teams in her final list with UConn, Baylor, Ohio State and Texas the missing power teams off her list..............I wonder how this effects MW's decision as I have also seen Westbrook listed as a wing player........

 

[trb123]

Who was the last elite scoring guard at UCONN?
Is there such a position in the team? Does not every elite UCONN guard play point to a reasonable extent if not exclusively?
Was this a tradition from 1985 or were there scoring guards in the past?
Has this requirement steered some elite guards away from UCONN?

 

[Charliebball]

Who was the last elite scoring guard at UCONN?
Is there such a position in the team? Does not every elite UCONN guard play point to a reasonable extent if not exclusively?
Was this a tradition from 1985 or were there scoring guards in the past?
Has this requirement steered some elite guards away from UCONN?

I can't speak to 1985...................I would assume that Crystal will play the point although she also also has the ability to be the shooting guard.........isn't KLS technically a shooting guard even though she is 6'3"? Walker at 6'1" could still be classified as a shooting/scoring guard in the UConn system if she ends up there...........

 

[UcMiami]

Who was the last elite scoring guard at UCONN?
Is there such a position in the team? Does not every elite UCONN guard play point to a reasonable extent if not exclusively?
Was this a tradition from 1985 or were there scoring guards in the past?
Has this requirement steered some elite guards away from UCONN?

In general Uconn doesn't recruit any players who aren't good and willing passers and there isn't a lot of distinction that they make between shooting guards and small forwards so it is a little difficult to really designate a 'shooting' guard. I think Bria and Kia are both slightly happier as off guards than pure point guards. I would also say that Uconn PGs generally are happy playing off guard as well - they are all expected to be good shooters and the ones that have struggled most have struggled as scorers - Swanier and Dixon.

 

[Charliebball]

OT:Sorry....................couldn't help it, one of my daughter's teammates...........

Bret McCormick Retweeted
Joe Fenelon ‏@NYGHoops Apr 29
2016 Ariana Chipolone 5'10 of NV/Old Tappan senior G/F has committed to Fordham. @BlueStarMedia1

 

[CL82]

Who was the last elite scoring guard at UCONN?
Is there such a position in the team?

Year Team GP Points FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2012-13 Connecticut 39 182 42.4 26.6 76.0 1.6 1.8 1.3 0.1 4.7
2013-14 Connecticut 40 400 57.5 41.8 76.8 3.4 4.9 2.7 0.2 10.0
2014-15 Connecticut 39 485 58.7 49.6 84.3 2.9 4.9 2.6 0.1 12.4
2015-16 Connecticut 37 465 55.7 43.1 89.4 2.5 5.5 2.6 0.2 12.6

 

[SCGamecock]

Seems like it's time for a new recruiting thread as some of the info has bled into the transfer thread where it really doesn't belong.

Here's my first UConn miss and it's an interesting one:

Evina Westbrook (OR-2017) has announced she's cut her list to L'ville, UMD, ND, Oregon State, Rutgers, South Carolina, Tenn, USC, Washington.

Athletic off-guard with size in the back court, manufactures to the arc, delivers with consistency in transition; versatile defender, rebounds, handles and passes in transition; superb guard skills and the elite scoring guard in the 2017 class. (Olson)

Westbrook is the number three rated player in the Hoopgurlz 2017 class.......she is an off guard/wing in the 2017 with Megan Walker rated as number one...you'll note the same top ten list of teams in her final list with UConn, Baylor, Ohio State and Texas the missing power teams off her list....I wonder how this effects MW's decision as I have also seen Westbrook listed as a wing player...

Is not being in it for Westbrook really a miss for UCONN though? With UCONN going after Megan Walker and already having Lexi Gordon and Andra Espinoza-Hunter on board, it kinda seems obvious that UCONN never really pursued Westbrook. You essentially already have two SG/Wing type players and have a good shot at landing a third. Going after Westbrook would be like going after the 4th of a similar make. Just judging by her list (all WBB powers), UCONN almost surely would've made her finals list had they seriously pursued her.

I don't think she leaves the West Coast, but if she does.. SC (already visited campus and hosted at home, plus her parents LOVE Dawn), Tennessee (history of getting Pacific NW players), Notre Dame (home visit) and Maryland (always competitive in recruiting) have to feel the best. I'm obviously hoping she comes to SC, we need Wings.

 

[BISweet]

Who was the last elite scoring guard at UCONN?
Is there such a position in the team? Does not every elite UCONN guard play point to a reasonable extent if not exclusively?
Was this a tradition from 1985 or were there scoring guards in the past?
Has this requirement steered some elite guards away from UCONN?

Bria, Rene Montgomery, Sue Bird, Svetlana Abrosamova (sp), Kia, KLS, KML, and probably a dozen others who did not have a designator next to their names but were good to great ball handlers, passers, shooters--you can call them guards, point guards, or what they truly were--Basketball players (Geno's high praise for those the get it) You play for Geno and you are not 6-3 or taller you'd better be a basketball player.

 

[BISweet]

View attachment 13448
Year Team GP Points FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2012-13 Connecticut 39 182 42.4 26.6 76.0 1.6 1.8 1.3 0.1 4.7
2013-14 Connecticut 40 400 57.5 41.8 76.8 3.4 4.9 2.7 0.2 10.0
2014-15 Connecticut 39 485 58.7 49.6 84.3 2.9 4.9 2.6 0.1 12.4
2015-16 Connecticut 37 465 55.7 43.1 89.4 2.5 5.5 2.6 0.2 12.6

I am a Sue Bird lover---loved her from the moment she put on a Uconn uniform. Sue in my opinion always was the greatest point guard in the world. Then along came Moriah Jefferson--I'm not fickle, really I'm not. Moriah worked on me, I was seduced, and I now believe at this moment in history there is none better than Moriah Jefferson--forget the stats they only show part of the picture, you have to see her in action to truly appreciate the little buzz saw that CAN..

 

[UconnMark]

And little "buzzer beater" that often broke opponents hearts with a last second dagger!

 

[Charliebball]

Is not being in it for Westbrook really a miss for UCONN though? With UCONN going after Megan Walker and already having Lexi Gordon and Andra Espinoza-Hunter on board, it kinda seems obvious that UCONN never really pursued Westbrook. You essentially already have two SG/Wing type players and have a good shot at landing a third. Going after Westbrook would be like going after the 4th of a similar make. Just judging by her list (all WBB powers), UCONN almost surely would've made her finals list had they seriously pursued her.

I agree............my thought was more about what effect it would have on Megan Walker's decision....................would she be less likely to go to ND if ND already had Westbrook?

I suppose you could say that MW is also not needed with Gordon and AEH on board but her talent is so overwhelming that she creates her own spot on the floor..................Westbrook is much closer to MW in talent then the two UComnn commits as good as they are

 

[Charliebball]

Is not being in it for Westbrook really a miss for UCONN though? With UCONN going after Megan Walker and already having Lexi Gordon and Andra Espinoza-Hunter on board, it kinda seems obvious that UCONN never really pursued Westbrook. You essentially already have two SG/Wing type players and have a good shot at landing a third. Going after Westbrook would be like going after the 4th of a similar make. Just judging by her list (all WBB powers), UCONN almost surely would've made her finals list had they seriously pursued her.

I don't think she leaves the West Coast, but if she does.. SC (already visited campus and hosted at home, plus her parents LOVE Dawn), Tennessee (history of getting Pacific NW players), Notre Dame (home visit) and Maryland (always competitive in recruiting) have to feel the best. I'm obviously hoping she comes to SC, we need Wings.

This might make you feel a bit better about Westbrook

aoul‏@Raoul_000
Raoul Retweeted Raoul

Evina Westbrook has said location won't be factor in her choice; already visited L'ville, S.Car, & Tenn unofficially

 

[JS]

Is not being in it for Westbrook really a miss for UCONN though? With UCONN going after Megan Walker and already having Lexi Gordon and Andra Espinoza-Hunter on board, it kinda seems obvious that UCONN never really pursued Westbrook.

The number of players with UConn on their "list" in any given year is far greater than the number of players who actually have offers.

It seems any degree of interest or inquiry from a school can get that school on the player's list (of schools she's considering), and I think that's true of all the elite programs.

 

[Charliebball]

The number of players with UConn on their "list" in any given year is far greater than the number of players who actually have offers.

It seems any degree of interest or inquiry from a school can get that school on the player's list (of schools she's considering), and I think that's true of all the elite programs.

That's very true but I'm actually amazed how many really good players don't have UConn on their final edited list of schools, I guess it's pretty well known what is expected of a UConn recruit and only a chosen few are prepared to take the plunge.................

 

[malevocalist#]

Seems like it's time for a new recruiting thread as some of the info has bled into the transfer thread where it really doesn't belong.

Here's my first UConn miss and it's an interesting one:

Evina Westbrook (OR-2017) has announced she's cut her list to L'ville, UMD, ND, Oregon State, Rutgers, South Carolina, Tenn, USC, Washington.

Athletic off-guard with size in the back court, manufactures to the arc, delivers with consistency in transition; versatile defender, rebounds, handles and passes in transition; superb guard skills and the elite scoring guard in the 2017 class. (Olson)

Westbrook is the number three rated player in the Hoopgurlz 2017 class.......she is an off guard/wing in the 2017 with Megan Walker rated as number one...you'll note the same top ten list of teams in her final list with UConn, Baylor, Ohio State and Texas the missing power teams off her list....I wonder how this effects MW's decision as I have also seen Westbrook listed as a wing player...

I don't remember Uconn ever being on her list at all. Hmmmm

 

[malevocalist#]

I agree..my thought was more about what effect it would have on Megan Walker's decision.....would she be less likely to go to ND if ND already had Westbrook?

I suppose you could say that MW is also not needed with Gordon and AEH on board but her talent is so overwhelming that she creates her own spot on the floor...Westbrook is much closer to MW in talent then the two UComnn commits as good as they are

Huh?

 

[Boreifs]

Who was the last elite scoring guard at UCONN?
Is there such a position in the team? Does not every elite UCONN guard play point to a reasonable extent if not exclusively?
Was this a tradition from 1985 or were there scoring guards in the past?
Has this requirement steered some elite guards away from UCONN?

I would say Kaleena was an elite scoring guard. Gene has always stated that the three position in his offense is a guard, not a forward. In a high-low post offense, that is always the case. If you want to argue that she was defensively challenged against an opponent's shooting guard, I won't argue with you, but she is not a forward.

 

[Charliebball]

Huh?

Westbrook was not listed becausr she was a UConn miss................the question was whether her signing would effect Megan Walker's eventual signing......................LG and AEH are fine players but Westbrook is on a whole different level as is Walker

 

[Orangutan]

I don't think she leaves the West Coast, but if she does.. SC (already visited campus and hosted at home, plus her parents LOVE Dawn), Tennessee (history of getting Pacific NW players), Notre Dame (home visit) and Maryland (always competitive in recruiting) have to feel the best. I'm obviously hoping she comes to SC, we need Wings.

I just want either Walker or Westbrook for ND. Is that too much to ask?

Everyone on this board besides Dillon and 'Choke: "Yes!"

 

[Charliebball]

I just want either Walker or Westbrook for ND. Is that too much to ask?Everyone on this board besides Dillon and 'Choke: "Yes!"

OK..................you can have Westbrook if we get Walker, deal?

 

[SCGamecock]

You can have Walker... if we take Westbrook. Deal?


I only wish it were this easy.

 

[Charliebball]

You can have Walker... if we take Westbrook. Deal?


I only wish it were this easy.

Well if it was that easy what the hell would we have to complain about??

 

[Charliebball]

Not worried about these two teams stealing my girl Christyn!!!!!!

Raoul ‏@Raoul_000 2m2 minutes ago
WBB: Christyn Williams, 5-10 G, Central Arkansas Christian (AR-2018) — latest offers: Houston and Rutgers; she has about two dozen now.

 

[malevocalist#]

Westbrook was not listed becausr she was a UConn miss......the question was whether her signing would effect Megan Walker's eventual signing.......LG and AEH are fine players but Westbrook is on a whole different level as is Walker

I hear what your saying but I never look at another top recruit effecting the signing of another. And I do know at times it does happen. But in this case?

See the 2012 & 2015 class of Uconn. Or the class Sue Bird was in ( can't remember the year). They were loaded with multiple top recruits at the top...Even when talented players already existed at Uconn.

I think if WALKER wants to come she is coming regardless of who else comes or not. That's just my opinion.

I mean the scholarships are there, am I wrong?

 

[Charliebball]

I hear what your saying but I never look at another top recruit effecting the signing of another. And I do know at times it does happen. But in this case?

See the 2012 & 2015 class of Uconn. Or the class Sue Bird was in ( can't remember the year). They were loaded with multiple top recruits at the top...Even when talented players already existed at Uconn.

I think if WALKER wants to come she is coming regardless of who else comes or not. That's just my opinion.

I mean the scholarships are there, am I wrong?

Ahhhhhh.................... but look at what just happened with Ms. Stevens...........I would think her transfer to UConn could have a major impact on MW's attitude towards joining the Huskies...........what was a weakness in the front court is now a strength that should be very appealing to MW............let's hope anyway.....................................