Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2025-26

[LadyVols_WBK]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. It remains a concern we aren’t on any list for elites in 2022 and to have not even offered some is puzzling. Curious your opinion on this..... Since KJH had a rough go of it in recruiting at her last P5 job, who is her connected, go to recruiter she has hired to make her TN result different?

Lacey Goldwire

 

[lfvol]

Lacey Goldwire

Do you see her connected to the elite player scene? If so, with whom in 22? In an earlier thread someone said she has a history of finding under the radar types that were successful at Iowa, etc. That’s fine but someone has to penetrate where the big time schools hunt or we have a low ceiling.

 

[VolBall09]

Do you see her connected to the elite player scene? If so, with whom in 22? In an earlier thread someone said she has a history of finding under the radar types that were successful at Iowa, etc. That’s fine but someone has to penetrate where the big time schools hunt or we have a low ceiling.

It is well known that Goldwire is very tight lipped when it comes to recruiting. Used to be “leaks” on here all the time from people who had an “in” with the Holly camp. That ended with the coaching change. As was evident with the 2021 recruits. Nobody had good intel. You’re not going to find out who she’s after in 2022 on here.

We likely aren’t going to know who she’s targeting until they are committed. A method I personally prefer. There is no reason to draw attention to who we are recruiting. That only increases competition.

We were able to get a commitment from Pissott before anyone knew she was even a Tennessee lean. That’s a good sign. An offer from Oregon means she’s an elite level shooter. Graves doesn’t mess around with anyone who can’t shoot the ball.

I personally don’t put much stock in rankings. Given the other schools that were interested in Pissott I would say Goldwire is right there, recruiting with the best.

 

[GameTime]

She brings in a girl that in some circles is compared to Breanna Stewart, and you're complaining....Calling that a low ceiling..... Incredibly naive of you...

Great post Volball...My reference is to the guy above your post that is so in love with rankings he doesn't even see how good the recruiting is here....

That's 3 big girls that shoot lights out....Striplin, Puckett, and Pissott will terrorize the courts.

 

[volnationnj]

She brings in a girl that in some circles is compared to Breanna Stewart, and you're complaining....Calling that a low ceiling. Incredible.

Come on now GT. I recognize hyperbole when I see it.
She's a very good recruit but who has compared her to Stewart ?

 

[lfvol]

She brings in a girl that in some circles is compared to Breanna Stewart, and you're complaining....Calling that a low ceiling. Incredible.

First, I never complained about this kid. The comment about a low ceiling is that evidence, including our own history, says that if you want to be a perennial final four contender, you have to land elite, top five level talent to go with the other pieces. I’m looking for evidence of that in 2022 and haven’t seen any.

 

[NeedOrange]

I'm sure he meant Kara Lawson.
Why he would type Walters is a mystery. With all his references of UConn women's basketball and their coach, maybe he is a closet Husky fan.

Look at where the 'L' is on your keyboard and where the 'W' is. It's not a fat finger/spell check issue. I truly believe it's muscle memory from spending so much time on The Boneyard.

 

[VolBall09]

Come on now GT. I recognize hyperbole when I see it.
She's a very good recruit but who has compared her to Stewart ?

That’s been mentioned by Justine herself in at least one interview. Sounds like other coaches/recruiters have been making that comparison. I believe the comparison came up because she was asked to play with the Philly Belles. The same AAU team Stewart played with. People were discussing the similarities with the deep range and surprising mobility for their size.

 

[lfvol]

It is well known that Goldwire is very tight lipped when it comes to recruiting. Used to be “leaks” on here all the time from people who had an “in” with the Holly camp. That ended with the coaching change. As was evident with the 2021 recruits. Nobody had good intel. You’re not going to find out who she’s after in 2022 on here.

We likely aren’t going to know who she’s targeting until they are committed. A method I personally prefer. There is no reason to draw attention to who we are recruiting. That only increases competition.

We were able to get a commitment from Pissott before anyone knew she was even a Tennessee lean. That’s a good sign. An offer from Oregon means she’s an elite level shooter. Graves doesn’t mess around with anyone who can’t shoot the ball.

I personally don’t put much stock in rankings. Given the other schools that were interested in Pissott I would say Goldwire is right there, recruiting with the best.

Thanks for the comments. I’ll disagree on two points.

Top five or even top ten players don’t commit without anyone knowing we are on them. It just doesn’t happen in today’s world that others do not know who the kids are considering and usually what offers they have. I suppose it’s possible for lesser recruited players but not the elite. I’m just looking for us to be showing up on a few top kids list.

Two, the idea that you don’t put much stock in rankings which every coach will also repeat ignores that the top programs routinely get the highest ranked recruits. It’s especially true with top three recruits. UConn and USC ought to be ample evidence. That is what TN used to do.

 

[NeedOrange]

Do you see her connected to the elite player scene? If so, with whom in 22? In an earlier thread someone said she has a history of finding under the radar types that were successful at Iowa, etc. That’s fine but someone has to penetrate where the big time schools hunt or we have a low ceiling.

Tennessee is a finalist for KK Bransford (Blue Star #4), also in on Kaylin Gilbert (HG #18), Annaya Patterson (Blue Star #6, HG #3), Grace Van Slooten (blue Star #23, HG #16), Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (Blue Star #29), Amina Mohammed (HG #49), Cotie McMahon (Blue Star #29), Sa'Myah Smith (Blue Star #18), Zayanna Walker (HG #20)

 

[GameTime]

Thanks for the comments. I’ll disagree on two points.

Top five or even top ten players don’t commit without anyone knowing we are on them. It just doesn’t happen in today’s world that others do not know who the kids are considering and usually what offers they have. I suppose it’s possible for lesser recruited players but not the elite. I’m just looking for us to be showing up on a few top kids list.

Two, the idea that you don’t put much stock in rankings which every coach will also repeat ignores that the top programs routinely get the highest ranked recruits. It’s especially true with top three recruits. UConn and USC ought to be ample evidence. That is what TN used to do.

UConn and SC has plenty of room for your allegiance...

 

[NeedOrange]

Thanks for the comments. I’ll disagree on two points.

Top five or even top ten players don’t commit without anyone knowing we are on them. It just doesn’t happen in today’s world that others do not know who the kids are considering and usually what offers they have. I suppose it’s possible for lesser recruited players but not the elite. I’m just looking for us to be showing up on a few top kids list.

Two, the idea that you don’t put much stock in rankings which every coach will also repeat ignores that the top programs routinely get the highest ranked recruits. It’s especially true with top three recruits. UConn and USC ought to be ample evidence. That is what TN used to do.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

But if you look at Hoopgurlz and go by their ranking she fell to #27 although Blue star girls report has her at #4 we still aren’t in on any highly ranked players

i’m sure the quality of schools recruiting her doesn’t matter either 7 of the 12 schools have a national title with another 2 making multiple final fours but ya know the schools don’t matter just rankings

 

[VolBall09]

Thanks for the comments. I’ll disagree on two points.

Top five or even top ten players don’t commit without anyone knowing we are on them. It just doesn’t happen in today’s world that others do not know who the kids are considering and usually what offers they have. I suppose it’s possible for lesser recruited players but not the elite. I’m just looking for us to be showing up on a few top kids list.

Two, the idea that you don’t put much stock in rankings which every coach will also repeat ignores that the top programs routinely get the highest ranked recruits. It’s especially true with top three recruits. UConn and USC ought to be ample evidence. That is what TN used to do.

It does if they commit before their junior season. I have no doubt Justine is going to end up being a “top 10” player in her class.

I still don’t care about recruiting sites. As you just saw with the Hoopgurlz shake up they are incredibly subjective. They changed who was doing their content and some of the players changed by 30+ spots. Literally a joke lol. And as I have pointed out, it is not unusual to see players like Gustafson ranked outside the top 50 who have stellar careers.

If you wanna talk about top 3 players let’s talk about Rellah Booth and Joyner Holmes. They were 3/1 and 2/2 respectively in their classes. Clearly there was an issue there.

UT also had the #1 and #3 recruits from 2013 (Russell and a DeShields) and we still sucked thanks to Holly. I feel like we’re heading in a good direction and it has very little to do with how highly any of our new players have been ranked. Has way more to do with what upstanding and hardworking young women they seem to be.

 

[lfvol]

Tennessee is a finalist for KK Bransford (Blue Star #4), also in on Kaylin Gilbert (HG #18), Annaya Patterson (Blue Star #6, HG #3), Grace Van Slooten (blue Star #23, HG #16), Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (Blue Star #29), Amina Mohammed (HG #49), Cotie McMahon (Blue Star #29), Sa'Myah Smith (Blue Star #18), Zayanna Walker (HG #20)

Thanks, seeing Bransford and Patterson couched that way is encouraging.

 

[xtpsrh08123]

It’s a highlight film so of course she looks great but I think we all forget how talented she is.

Yeah and the highlights dont show for each bucket she made she followed it up with a turnover 90% of the time. She's always been a great scorer though !

 

[xtpsrh08123]

Important to remember that Lacey Goldwire is the recruiting coordinator. She has a proven history of brining in excellent, under the radar, recruits.

She played a huge part in the recent success Iowa has had. She brought in players like Kathleen Doyle and Megan Gustafson who went on to have stellar careers and play in the W. She aided Arkansas in attracting Dungee and Tolfree, two players who tore it up in their careers.

Have a feeling we will see some great things from Jordan Walker this season. Something tells me she is going to be the surprise of the year.

Doyle & Gustaffson ? Stellar careers in the W ? Really......

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

Doyle & Gustaffson ? Stellar careers in the W ? Really......

lol think VolBall09 meant stellar careers in College.

 

[xtpsrh08123]

lol think VolBall09 meant stellar careers in College.

I think its just the combo of Stellar & Gustafson that confuses me LOL

 

[VolBall09]

Doyle & Gustaffson ? Stellar careers in the W ? Really......

The way I worded that is a bit confusing. I mean they had stellar careers in college then went on to play in the W. I think they are maybe the only two Iowa players ever to make the WNBA and Goldwire played some part in both of their recruitment.

 

[VolBall09]

I think its just the combo of Stellar & Gustafson that confuses me LOL

Why though? She was a beast and the Naismith player of the year as a senior. She lead Iowa to the Elite 8 and they won the Big 10 which was very competitive that season. Her game doesn’t translate well to the pros, but that doesn’t completely discount what she did in college.

 

[Mr. Doo Wop]

The way I worded that is a bit confusing. I mean they had stellar careers in college then went on to play in the W. I think they are maybe the only two Iowa players ever to make the WNBA and Goldwire played some part in both of their recruitment.

I understood what you meant. You worded it correctly. Also, Gustafson was almost unstoppable in college. There have been a number of great college players who did not succeed in the pros, male and female.

 

[NeedOrange]

Here are some comment on Pissott from @Dillon77 posted on the boneyard. He is a respected poster. A Noter Dame alum who posts frequently on The 'Bench'. I believe he was commenting on another post regarding a VolNation post that Pissott was comparable to EDD and Stewie.

"I've seen Pissot a few times and absolutely love her outside stroke and pull-up jumper. Vol fans have an absolutely "money" outside shooter coming to Knoxville.

However, she doesn't have a fully developed inside game quite yet. If you combine Pissot and Destiny Adams's inside game -- who is going to UNC -- then you've got all the elements of Stewie and EDD. Adams is a great inside player and overall athlete who is working on her outside game.

Shows me just how good you have to be to merit the Stewie/EDD comparisons! "

 

[Darth_Vol]

Come on now GT. I recognize hyperbole when I see it.
She's a very good recruit but who has compared her to Stewart ?

Her dad of course! Also, she's 6'4" "in basketball shoes" just like you know who...

 

[Darth_Vol]

Thanks, seeing Bransford and Patterson couched that way is encouraging.

Yeah, how exciting to be one of 12 "finalists"! So Kellie has about an 8% chance? Clearly the concerns about recruiting were ill-founded...