2026 Lady Vols Recruiting

#2,076
#2,076
I’m looking at recruitment exactly how Coach Caldwell tells us it’s going which is great.
I think often times everyone focuses entirely on each individual prospect decision without putting it in context the way Coach Caldwell explained it during SEC media day.
 
#2,077
#2,077
KnoxLikeUs said:
I’m looking at recruitment exactly how Coach Caldwell tells us it’s going which is great.
I think often times everyone focuses entirely on each individual prospect decision without putting it in context the way Coach Caldwell explained it during SEC media day.
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we have the #2 prospect in the country committed and still in the running for two more top tenner's...we're not hurting
 
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#2,078
#2,078
PRG said:
I don’t think so ? Our one commit did what most players don’t do and give a verbal early ! Most take several visits and then commit or even wait till signing period ! Or wait till others commit and then go where they want to go based on where others are going !

After the first signing period is over … then your statement maybe correct ? Ever since coach got to Knoxville I have been pleasantly surprised! We needed bigs and she got the best one … and maybe some more bigs to come ? So far so good …. The signing period is November! Then we will see? 🤷‍♂️
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#2,079
#2,079
lvocd said:
I have a different take. I mean, sure it seems great these kids get to have unlimited fun visits to "make sure" even after they've long-since decided where they want to commit to.

But these "Just Having Fun Tours" are a tremendous drain on recruiting resources, from financial to time. Recruits may feel entitled to be shown the times of their lives over and over and over again, but those who already know and are just having fun with endless visits at the also-rans are just costing money that could have gone to recruiting players who are actually seriously considering going there.

Personally, I think it was a mistake to give players unlimited official visits. Unlimited UNofficials? Sure! But don't just make a game of wasting programs' money just because you can.
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You can’t spend what you don’t have. We still have people who want to use these kids and give them peanuts in return for parts of their lives and time on earth. I say they are not given anything but are trying to compete for their commitment. Hate is a powerful demon and I say let the hate go.
 
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#2,080
#2,080
2026s offered by TN (# Hoopgurlz ranking):
* offer or reoffer by Kim posted

#9 Jaci Abii* to Notre Dame
#18 Kelsi Andrews to SC
#36 Leelee Bell* to OU
#10 Addison Bjorn not top 7
#37 Amari Byles not top 15
#8 Brihanna Crittendon*
#2 Oliviyah Edwards* to Tennessee!
#12 Autumn Fleary* to Duke
#16 Bella Flemings* to Duke
#25 Sanai Green* to Duke
#13 Maddyn Greenway to Kentucky
#1 Saniyah Hall to USC
#4 Kate Harpring* to N. Carolina
#7 Jayla Jackson to Maryland
#11 Trinity Jones
#29 Lola Lampley* to LSU
#24 Jenica Lewis not top 5
#62 Gabby Minus*
#38 Kamora Pruitt to NC State
#30 Bella Ragone to Notre Dame
#3 Olivia Vukosa* not top 7
#6 McKenna Woliczko* to Iowa
 
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#2,083
#2,083
Their class this year could finish in the Top 5 but last season Duke recruiting class wasn’t even in the Top 25.
I think they’ll struggle this season with that lackluster offense you referenced that struggles to score 50.
 
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#2,084
#2,084
KnoxLikeUs said:
Their class this year could finish in the Top 5 but last season Duke recruiting class wasn’t even in the Top 25.
I think they’ll struggle this season with that lackluster offense you referenced that struggles to score 50.
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Old school basketball is passe. You need sustained offense to win games. Having a great defense does not cut it if the other team scores a few more points than you even if that opponent is held to 55 points or fewer. I believe we have a great balance--great offense and a great defense. I look for the LVs to have a great season. GBO.
 
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#2,088
#2,088
KnoxLikeUs said:
No it don’t. Didn’t do much for Texas A&M. Duke won’t have many players play for Team USA.
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Huh, when was the Texas A&M coach the head Olympic Coach? Being an asst isn't considered the same thing.

I think it does quite a bit particularly in Lawson's case.
1. A lot of negative recruiting centers on Lawson's lack of coaching experience, so they can say she doesn't know what she is doing. However, if USA basketball is willing to give her the reigns, it is harder to make that argument worth much
Americup (a job given to the future Olympic coach) also helps combat the negative talking point that Lawson can't coach offense. Her team averaged more points per game than the previous 3 Americup teams. 91.3 (2025), 71.1 (2023), 88.8 (2021), 88.7 (2019) and 2 of those teams consisted of pros instead of college players.

2. I also think it helps NIL money quite a bit and that is an area where Duke has struggled a lot until very recently. Donors are more confident when they feel they are supporting something/someone big. And as much as we may not want to admit it, money is a huge factor in kids' decision making right now.
 
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#2,089
#2,089
I respect your opinion on the situation but for me the point stands. They(Duke) had a recruiting class not ranked in the Top 25 just over a year ago.
Currently, yes they have four Top 50 commits but no commits from players inside the Top 10. It’ll be interesting to see how many of these players in Duke class are named McDonald’s All-Americans.
 
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#2,091
#2,091
KnoxLikeUs said:
I respect your opinion on the situation but for me the point stands. They had a recruiting class not ranked in the Top 25 just over a year ago.
Currently, yes they have four Top 50 commits but no commits from players inside the Top 10. It’ll be interesting to see how many of these players in this class are named McDonald’s All-Americans.
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Recruiting is about getting the pieces you need. If Tenn gets no one else this cycle, is the recruiting cycle a failure? Not really, but their class won't be ranked just as Duke's '25 class wasn't. If you can't retain who you recruit (and you won't if you string top 5 classes year after year), then the rankings are meaningless ..what matters is getting and keeping what/who you need to win.

I also could careless about AA status. Players drafted and retained in the W is a much better metric. AA lists value volume way too much when you move past the top 5 players.
 
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#2,092
#2,092
How many years has Lawson been the head coach at Duke?

leeeda97 said:
Recruiting is about getting the pieces you need. If Tenn gets no one else this cycle, is the recruiting cycle a failure? Not really, but their class won't be ranked just as Duke's '25 class wasn't. If you can't retain who you recruit (and you won't if you string top 5 classes year after year), then the rankings are meaningless ..what matters is getting and keeping what/who you need to win.

I also could careless about AA status. Players drafted and retained in the W is a much better metric. AA lists value volume way too much when you move past the top 5 players.
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#2,100
#2,100
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