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UConn Recruiting Speculation

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GenoWept

GenoWept

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This is a thread to discuss known players of interest and other potential recruits. This thread is different from the monthly recruiting thread in that thread drifts and posters discussing their hopes on who comes to UConn aren’t allowed there. While this thread has more latitude, it’s still about the recruits, how they might fit into the team, who you wish to see come, deeper discussion about their skill sets, recent performances etc.
  • No transfer talk EVER (see the rules tacked at the top of the board)
  • No discussion of who is staying/going (discussion to this will result in the thread being shut down by the admins)
 
GenoWept said:


This is HUGE!! She is a player I really want! What all have you seen of Lara Somfai’s game that you liked, didn’t like? Do you think she’d be a good fit?
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A post group of Ice, Jana, Leah Macy (hopefully), and Lara (hopefully) would be great
 
Hayven said:
A post group of Ice, Jana, Leah Macy (hopefully), and Lara (hopefully) would be great
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Potentially add in Sarah Strong with that group too (not as a post player, but she undoubtedly will be helpful for rebounding and taking it strong to the rim). I always think big wings do well at UConn, and I just think Lara would fit right in and make an immediate impact.
 
I saw a couple of posts in the previous version of this thread that were kind of down on Sarah Strong because she's not a big post player. I believe that she is the #1 ranked player in the class for a good reason and deserves it. I certainly hope that she picks UConn and I believe that she will make a big impact wherever she goes. At UConn, she will not be playing in the post, but she will still be able to bang with the big bodies down low (she did a lot of that in High school). She can also score at all three levels. She has very good handles, vision, and passing abilities. She is a very willing passer. She has great fundamentals (due to her parents pedigrees). She seems like a really good,grounded kid and should be a good teammate and willing learner. This sounds like a UConn player to me. I just hope that she chooses our team. I have been following her online for about 5 years and from the first time that I saw her, I knew that she was the best prospect in the class for UConn.
 
KCD said:
I saw a couple of posts in the previous version of this thread that were kind of down on Sarah Strong because she's not a big post player. I believe that she is the #1 ranked player in the class for a good reason and deserves it. I certainly hope that she picks UConn and I believe that she will make a big impact wherever she goes. At UConn, she will not be playing in the post, but she will still be able to bang with the big bodies down low (she did a lot of that in High school). She can also score at all three levels. She has very good handles, vision, and passing abilities. She is a very willing passer. She has great fundamentals (due to her parents pedigrees). She seems like a really good,grounded kid and should be a good teammate and willing learner. This sounds like a UConn player to me. I just hope that she chooses our team. I have been following her online for about 5 years and from the first time that I saw her, I knew that she was the best prospect in the class for UConn.
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Sarah is a very similar player to Shea Ralph, and both players have many things in common beyond just playing skills.
 
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CONN78SEJ said:
Sarah is a very similar player to Shea Ralph, and both players have many things in common beyond just playing skills.
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In temperament and basketball smarts, yes- but physically, Sarah is much bigger, and I think Sarah is a better shooter too. Her outside shot is really good- can't lay off of her or she'll nail the 3-pointer.
 
KCD said:
I saw a couple of posts in the previous version of this thread that were kind of down on Sarah Strong because she's not a big post player. I believe that she is the #1 ranked player in the class for a good reason and deserves it. I certainly hope that she picks UConn and I believe that she will make a big impact wherever she goes. At UConn, she will not be playing in the post, but she will still be able to bang with the big bodies down low (she did a lot of that in High school). She can also score at all three levels. She has very good handles, vision, and passing abilities. She is a very willing passer. She has great fundamentals (due to her parents pedigrees). She seems like a really good,grounded kid and should be a good teammate and willing learner. This sounds like a UConn player to me. I just hope that she chooses our team. I have been following her online for about 5 years and from the first time that I saw her, I knew that she was the best prospect in the class for UConn.
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I have been hopeful that Sarah has been waiting for AE to declare for the W before she finally commits to Storrs. Now that that has happened, we'll see if my Hope's become reality!
 
Despite all the wishful thinking, endless hope and tea leaf reading, unless she shows up at Gampel this weekend, Husky Nation should prepare ourselves for big disappointment when Sarah Strong finally commits.
 
IMG_1371.jpeg
Obviously this is a speculation thread and I’m not looking too far into this as evidence we’ve got a commitment from Sarah Strong. But did anyone see this clip of Geno from practice a couple days ago with his Boston Celtics sweatshirt on? It probably means nothing, but I could truly see Geno doing this on purpose as an inside joke with Sarah and her mom (Vice President of Team Operations for Boston Celtics). OR maybe Geno is just a Celtics fan lol
 
Conndog said:
In temperament and basketball smarts, yes- but physically, Sarah is much bigger, and I think Sarah is a better shooter too. Her outside shot is really good- can't lay off of her or she'll nail the 3-pointer.
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Don't disagree about a different body type, but do not knock Ralph's shooting percentages:
#9 on career field goal % at Uconn .579 and the only one in the top ten to never play as a post.
2# in free throws made and #9 in free throw % at .814
 
GenoWept said:
View attachment 98036Obviously this is a speculation thread and I’m not looking too far into this as evidence we’ve got a commitment from Sarah Strong. But did anyone see this clip of Geno from practice a couple days ago with his Boston Celtics sweatshirt on? It probably means nothing, but I could truly see Geno doing this on purpose as an inside joke with Sarah and her mom (Vice President of Team Operations for Boston Celtics). OR maybe Geno is just a Celtics fan lol
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He knows a lot of NBA players and coaches, too. Kemba Walker played for them 3 years ago
 
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GenoWept said:
Potentially add in Sarah Strong with that group too (not as a post player, but she undoubtedly will be helpful for rebounding and taking it strong to the rim). I always think big wings do well at UConn, and I just think Lara would fit right in and make an immediate impact.
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I agree she will definitely help on rebounding and scoring inside. I recall some prior posts referring to Sarah Strong as more of a perimeter player. She is a complete player. She is not a Wing. A Wing implies a SF/SG. Sarah is a combo SF/PF- not a SG. Along with being an excellent 3pt shooter she is also a terrific scorer inside. Below are highlights of Sarah going against 6'6 recruit Blanca Thomas going to UNC. Sarah scored 30 points. Note many of the highlights has her scoring inside. That's not a sg.

This is why some of us say Sarah would be such a perfect fit if she came to UCONN. She can score in an excellent manner both inside and out. She can rebound and pass very well also. That’s a perfect fit imo. For someone that goes against 6'6 and scored inside a lot vs that tall of a player well regarded as a reruit while going against #2 recruit Joyce Edwards and scores 31 points and has 19 rebounds - this sort of shows she is really, really really, really, really. really good (Iknwo soem hate to use the word great). We'd be fortunate to have her. :)

In terms of preference to speculate the type or player we need:
1-- Sarah Strong obviously 1.
2-- A 6'4 or taller experienced player that can score/defend/rebound ion the inside in a fastbreak environment/ being able to play fast.
3-- Any experienced player that is an efficient scorer at the 1-4 spots.
4-- Any new recruit from H/S that has the attributes of above.

Also -- very excited for our new recruits coming Allie and Morgan. Very fortunate to have them coming. :)They bring amazing individual skills. I just see our team as a fastbreak open floor team - and - I love it!!!! :):):)


 
UcMiami said:
;)Don't disagree about a different body type, but do not knock Ralph's shooting percentages:
#9 on career field goal % at Uconn .579 and the only one in the top ten to never play as a post.
2# in free throws made and #9 in free throw % at .814
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My favorite Husky. Quite a good shooter. As an aside, Sarah must hold the record for posts about a player whose future as a Husky is unknown. I don’t think Toomey comes close. There clearly is a need to eliminate the late signing period.;)
 
cohenzone said:
My favorite Husky. Quite a good shooter. As an aside, Sarah must hold the record for posts about a player whose future as a Husky is unknown. I don’t think Toomey comes close. There clearly is a need to eliminate the late signing period.;)
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I think the fact that we really didn’t know anything about her recruiting/top schools and the fact that we desperately could use a player like her has contributed to that. I am ready for all the speculation to be over (I won’t feel as bad if we end up getting her though lol).
 
hoophuskee said:
I agree she will definitely help on rebounding and scoring inside. I recall some prior posts referring to Sarah Strong as more of a perimeter player. She is a complete player. She is not a Wing. A Wing implies a SF/SG. Sarah is a combo SF/PF- not a SG. Along with being an excellent 3pt shooter she is also a terrific scorer inside. Below are highlights of Sarah going against 6'6 recruit Blanca Thomas going to UNC. Sarah scored 30 points. Note many of the highlights has her scoring inside. That's not a sg.

This is why some of us say Sarah would be such a perfect fit if she came to UCONN. She can score in an excellent manner both inside and out. She can rebound and pass very well also. That’s a perfect fit imo. For someone that goes against 6'6 and scored inside a lot vs that tall of a player well regarded as a reruit while going against #2 recruit Joyce Edwards and scores 31 points and has 19 rebounds - this sort of shows she is really, really really, really, really. really good (Iknwo soem hate to use the word great). We'd be fortunate to have her. :)

In terms of preference to speculate the type or player we need:
1-- Sarah Strong obviously 1.
2-- A 6'4 or taller experienced player that can score/defend/rebound ion the inside in a fastbreak environment/ being able to play fast.
3-- Any experienced player that is an efficient scorer at the 1-4 spots.
4-- Any new recruit from H/S that has the attributes of above.

Also -- very excited for our new recruits coming Allie and Morgan. Very fortunate to have them coming. :)They bring amazing individual skills. I just see our team as a fastbreak open floor team - and - I love it!!!! :):):)


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Just a great video of Sarah Strong.... as a player and in the post-game interview.
I was SO impressed by Sarah's defense against Bianca (6'6"). Sarah kept her arms/hands
straight up. Maybe giving up a couple of points, but Bianca did have 4 inches on her...
AVOID THE FOULS.... very smart... she plays within herself.
 
Conndog said:
In temperament and basketball smarts, yes- but physically, Sarah is much bigger, and I think Sarah is a better shooter too. Her outside shot is really good- can't lay off of her or she'll nail the 3-pointer.
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When I said they had other things in common, I meant that it’s uncanny that both Sarah and Shea grew up as basketball stars in North Carolina, and were subjected to a contentious recruiting battle, both were the NPOY coming out of high school, and both girls mothers were very famous college basketball stars in their own right, from North Carolina.
 
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UcMiami said:
Don't disagree about a different body type, but do not knock Ralph's shooting percentages:
#9 on career field goal % at Uconn .579 and the only one in the top ten to never play as a post.
2# in free throws made and #9 in free throw % at .814
Expand ...
Wow, I didn't recall Shea shooting so well! Weren't most of her shots closer to the basket, on drives for example, and not as many from outside? Glad she was a Husky, she had a blazing competitive flame.
 
Sheah will probably hold a record forever, number of ACL torned, 7 or something between HS, College and Springfield Spririts
 
But I still can't see a way to compare Sarah to Sheah, that seems strange to me - Their mothers excelled in BB, that's all they have in common for me
 
From France said:
But I still can't see a way to compare Sarah to Sheah, that seems strange to me - Their mothers excelled in BB, that's all they have in common for me
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Probably Maya Moore or Asjha Jones would be better comparisons.
 
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PvP said:
I have been hopeful that Sarah has been waiting for AE to declare for the W before she finally commits to Storrs. Now that that has happened, we'll see if my Hope's become reality!
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I hope that Aaliyah's decision was a factor for Sarah, both the certainty a spot was available, and the improved probability of starting from day one with Aaliyah moving on. If that is true then we should hear from Sarah very soon IMO. On the other hand if Aaliyah's decision was not a big factor, or if we aren't really the first choice, then the decision could drag on much longer.

As a result the longer it goes the less confident I become. The other contenders may not be in the same position, and Sarah can do what she wants, but we are on a tight timetable here. Absent other developments we have one spot for Sarah or a big in the portal, or possibly Emely.

Players have declared and are being recruited right now from the portal. The worst case scenario for us would be Sarah's decision goes much longer, we don't get her, and the portal big alternatives have already picked where they are going, so I hope to hear one way or the other very soon.
 
I can't understand Sarah not declaring, is it she can't choose, is it a family thing or else, I don't know, but the 2025 recruting has already started when the lone top 100 in 2024 and the first has yet to decide , it must be a nightmare for her to announce
 
I wonder if I’m the only one who has grown weary of the Sarah Strong drama. Got to believe there are many others. Getting way too much attention on numerous threads. Let’s move on To someone who really wants to be a Husky.
 
From France said:
I can't understand Sarah not declaring, is it she can't choose, is it a family thing or else, I don't know, but the 2025 recruting has already started when the lone top 100 in 2024 and the first has yet to decide , it must be a nightmare for her to announce
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At this point I would imagine she's waiting for the signing period April 17-May 15, when the tournament hoopla will have died down, and the portal will be closed (on May 1, I think). That way her announcement won't have to compete for attention with anything else.
 
So we have one opening available for next season. Hopefully; that spot will be filled by Sarah Strong. My apologies but I’m sure who posts the graph that shows the year by year breakdown. Even with Nika and Aaliyah leaving there is still a lot on uncertainty in the years to come. That’s all because of the injuries sustained by six players prior and through the season.

We say thank you to Nika and Aaliyah. Welcome Allie and Morgan. Then hopefully Sarah. And, if not whomever Geno decides to bring in if anyone. The following year we again say good bye to Aubrey and to Amari. This is where things get complicated. Paige technically still has a Covid year. Azzi and Caroline have injury years. Do they use them? Kelis and can’t remember the young ladies that’s a post enter the program. Will there be room for any others.

The following year is when things really open up. Paige, Azzi, Caroline will be in the WNBA. The only true senior is Ines. Am so looking forward to see whom Geno can get in that loaded class of players.
 
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