Lady Vols Recruiting Info

#2,201
#2,201
Voldon18 said:
Chill, folks! The world isn't ending because one young lady made a decision to play with her sister at OSU. Holly still has options with spring signings, possible red shirting (it won't be Bash but Nia could use another year in the weight room) or stockpiling for the future with huge '16 and '17 classes.

We have the depth and talent this and next year to make a legit run at championship NINE! Holly has so many lineup combinations: tall ball, small ball, full-court blitz (Carter, Jackson and Jones on the court at the same time), offensive punch, etc. Diamond gives this team flexibility with her scoring prowess. She's a game changer. Don't you guys realize how incredible she looked in the opener considering her time away from "live" play.

Our sophomore class (Diamond, Mercedes, Kourtney, Jamie and Alexa) is the best in the country, so the heat was never on to sign anyone this year. Next year, definitely.

Holly was taught by the best ever, and she will not jeopardize her integrity to fall into the "promises, promises" trap to secure talent. She wants young ladies who will wear the Orange with pride and be willing to work hard for playing time. As a fan and alum, I fully support this philosophy.

Go Lady Vols!
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Next year there will be no Graves and no Moore. So the entire frontcourt will consist of Russell, Jones, Dunbar and Nared--and the last three are not strictly front-court players by any stretch, though one or two of them will be force to play more inside because of our lack of depth. Dunbar is a stretch (!) 4, and Jones and Nared are mostly swing players. We will have to play small a lot next year because you can't play Russell too much and risk her health.
 
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#2,202
#2,202
Is there interest from Sidney Cooks? She used to be the #2 player on Espn (she is now #9). We weren't one of the home visits she had in September. She had home visits from Michigan, Purdue, Pittsburg, Marquette, Florida, Wisconsin, Maryland, Penn State, Minnesota, and UCLA. None of those schools have really been any good except Maryland though. So maybe we came in late? But she is a 6' 4'' Forward so I would think we would be interested.
 
#2,203
#2,203
armchair said:
Next year there will be no Graves and no Moore. So the entire frontcourt will consist of Russell, Jones, Dunbar and Nared--and the last three are not strictly front-court players by any stretch, though one or two of them will be force to play more inside because of our lack of depth. Dunbar is a stretch (!) 4, and Jones and Nared are mostly swing players. We will have to play small a lot next year because you can't play Russell too much and risk her health.
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Unless some JUCOs come in, the LVs will be thin in the front court. I think Jasmine could thrive in the slot vacated by Graves. Not having a back-up for Mercedes is cause for concern. But, teams can have success in the small ball game and the LVs will be loaded at guard position.
 
#2,204
#2,204
LVJeff said:
How do you redshirt somebody that doesn't want to be redshirted?
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I don't think Graves would be receptive to a redshirt but I think they could talk Moore into it. Another year certainly wouldn't hurt her development for a potential pro career. We could go this year with Russell, Graves, Dunbar, and Jones. Next year we would have Russell, Moore, Dunbar, and Jones.

Hopefully they have some players in mind so this want happen but I think Moore likes Knoxville and wouldn't mind spending a couple more years in town.
 
#2,205
#2,205
armchair said:
Next year there will be no Graves and no Moore. So the entire frontcourt will consist of Russell, Jones, Dunbar and Nared--and the last three are not strictly front-court players by any stretch, though one or two of them will be force to play more inside because of our lack of depth. Dunbar is a stretch (!) 4, and Jones and Nared are mostly swing players. We will have to play small a lot next year because you can't play Russell too much and risk her health.
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Jones is a swing player in size only. She has very few perimeter skills and she should've been playing at PF her whole time at UT.
 
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#2,206
#2,206
I was able to find some information on potential Juco post prospects.

There seem to be only two with height who made the Juco All-American list last year as freshmen. One on the 10 member All American team and one as an honorable mention. Both are listed at 6'3".

Kristina King Gulf Coast State College
All-American team

GCSC Gulls

If you check out the article you will find that this young lady had a relatively impressive list of schools recruiting her and is apparently an excellent student.

Caylinne Martin McLennan Community College
Honorable mention

McLennan Highlassies

I haven't been able to find any information on this young lady, other than playing stats.

I haven't found anything that suggests either young lady has committed to another school and they are both on their respective JC roster this year.

Jim
 
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#2,208
#2,208
volcrazy89 said:
Jones is a swing player in size only. She has very few perimeter skills and she should've been playing at PF her whole time at UT.
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I agree and think we wasted her talents trying to coach her into playing on the wing instead of coaching her to play downlow/on the block. I think having her redshirt last year and not picking up a Post this year (or last) helps us and her because now she could potentially start at the 4 when graves leave and be an advantage for us. He has a knack for rebounding and has a very high motor (reminds me of Rebukkah Brunson for Minnesota) and could be a secret weapon for us the next couple of seasons!
 
#2,209
#2,209
CannonVol80 said:
I was able to find some information on potential Juco post prospects.

There seem to be only two with height who made the Juco All-American list last year as freshmen. One on the 10 member All American team and one as an honorable mention. Both are listed at 6'3".

Kristina King Gulf Coast State College
All-American team

GCSC Gulls

If you check out the article you will find that this young lady had a relatively impressive list of schools recruiting her and is apparently an excellent student.

Caylinne Martin McLennan Community College
Honorable mention

McLennan Highlassies

I haven't been able to find any information on this young lady, other than playing stats.

I haven't found anything that suggests either young lady has committed to another school and they are both on their respective JC roster this year.

Jim
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I researched Kristina King also and would love to have her as a JUCO pick up who could help us! She's averaging 15pts and 12reb (I know its against inferior competition) she is extremely athletic and would do us well for a couple of seasons. I have faith in Holly and I believe we will be fine (If Mercedes stays healthy) because I think we have a team with a star (Diamond) and stars in the making (Cooper, Mercedes) and players who just want to win titles and play for the Lady Vols and return us to our rightful place amongst the greats in the game. A return to the final four (and if we can win at least 1 title) will prove to the world and parents that Holly can get it done and that their child will have a chance to be the best at UT again. Most of the players we are getting now are players who truly breathe our program and its history.
 
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#2,210
#2,210
mlindsay said:
I researched Kristina King also and would love to have her as a JUCO pick up who could help us! She's averaging 15pts and 12reb (I know its against inferior competition) she is extremely athletic and would do us well for a couple of seasons. I have faith in Holly and I believe we will be fine (If Mercedes stays healthy) because I think we have a team with a star (Diamond) and stars in the making (Cooper, Mercedes) and players who just want to win titles and play for the Lady Vols and return us to our rightful place amongst the greats in the game. A return to the final four (and if we can win at least 1 title) will prove to the world and parents that Holly can get it done and that their child will have a chance to be the best at UT again. Most of the players we are getting now are players who truly breathe our program and its history.
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Just as a side note here,Kristina King went to high school in Mehane,North Carolina,which is about 300 miles from Knoxville. Maybe close enough to consider the Lady Vols should the opportunity arise.
 
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#2,211
#2,211
#2,213
#2,213
mcannon1 said:
Eternati Willock from Canada. Hoopgurlz #33. 97 grade
I like the "rebounder deluxe" comment.
2016, undeclared. Only 6'2" but still, might be able to spell Mercedes in a year or two.

USJN-July 2014: Explosive mid-post game attacks rim with high-motor effort; active on glass; developing faceup game; mobile in uptempo, defends out of area. (Olson)

USJN-July 2013: Quick and athletic interior game; versatile defender out of post; long frame, quick leaper, rebounder deluxe and active on glass; emerging offensive threat. (Olson)
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Looks like Kansas State just signed Willock, not that we were ever looking at her.
 
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#2,214
#2,214
In the Juco ranks the best post players this season are:

Cheridine Green Asa NY
Thais Oliviera Cantral Florida
Kristina King Gulf Coast State
Jhanice Stokes Denmark Tech


Green and King are the top two and the other two not far behind.

CherideneGreen-2010-U16-fiba.jpg


Cheridine Green




JLDPQEDXINCATNU.20130918183304.jpg



Kristina King



15-Thais_Oliveira.jpg



Thais Oliviera
 
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#2,218
#2,218
Volfan2012 said:
Green is the best of the three hopefully were trying to recruit her.
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No indication that we are. We are probably going to stand pat and go in 16 with the 10 we have. We will try to make do with stretch 4's and one true post. Our offensive scheme will have a lot of 4 out 1 in or 5 outs when Russell is not in the game. That probably means we try to speed up the tempo but not when Russell is in the game because she doesn't run well enough. It will be interesting to watch because our offensive scheme will have to change out of necessity.
 
#2,219
#2,219
I'm actually looking forward to only having 10 players on the roster next year with so few post options. This will force Holly to change her offensive philosophy. She won't be able to depend on the forced post play due to attrition. We'll have to play at a faster pace with more ball movement to find the open (soft) spots on the floor for shooting. Diamond and Te'a can excel in this system. Watch what UConn will do this years sans a dominating inside force. Diamond will play the Stewart role and Te'a the game-breaking pg position.

And we'll still have size with Mercedes when needed.

Holly is a better coach (this is not a knock, just a fact) when she doesn't have so many options to consider and too many players to keep happy. Let them run and definitely change the offensive pound-it-to-the-post philosophy to once and for all prove to the basketball world you can adapt to the modern game. You were a guard, Holly! Please rely on those gut instincts and stop worrying about being every player's fun big sis. You'll rule and rock the women's basketball when you do.
 
#2,220
#2,220
Voldon18 said:
I'm actually looking forward to only having 10 players on the roster next year with so few post options. This will force Holly to change her offensive philosophy. She won't be able to depend on the forced post play due to attrition. We'll have to play at a faster pace with more ball movement to find the open (soft) spots on the floor for shooting. Diamond and Te'a can excel in this system. Watch what UConn will do this years sans a dominating inside force. Diamond will play the Stewart role and Te'a the game-breaking pg position.

And we'll still have size with Mercedes when needed.

Holly is a better coach (this is not a knock, just a fact) when she doesn't have so many options to consider and too many players to keep happy. Let them run and definitely change the offensive pound-it-to-the-post philosophy to once and for all prove to the basketball world you can adapt to the modern game. You were a guard, Holly! Please rely on those gut instincts and stop worrying about being every player's fun big sis. You'll rule and rock the women's basketball when you do.
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I didn't look at it that way. You may be on to something.
 
#2,221
#2,221
Voldon18 said:
I'm actually looking forward to only having 10 players on the roster next year with so few post options. This will force Holly to change her offensive philosophy. She won't be able to depend on the forced post play due to attrition. We'll have to play at a faster pace with more ball movement to find the open (soft) spots on the floor for shooting. Diamond and Te'a can excel in this system. Watch what UConn will do this years sans a dominating inside force. Diamond will play the Stewart role and Te'a the game-breaking pg position.

And we'll still have size with Mercedes when needed.

Holly is a better coach (this is not a knock, just a fact) when she doesn't have so many options to consider and too many players to keep happy. Let them run and definitely change the offensive pound-it-to-the-post philosophy to once and for all prove to the basketball world you can adapt to the modern game. You were a guard, Holly! Please rely on those gut instincts and stop worrying about being every player's fun big sis. You'll rule and rock the women's basketball when you do.
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However, two good bigs from a JC will not hurt. Russell will need to take a rest and possibly get in foul trouble, nice to have a credible replacement on the bench.
 
#2,222
#2,222
I have a question, there are 8 remaining post players left unsigned, including the 6'9" post from New Jersey. Most are three stars, do we just not recruit anything less than a 4 star? Some of these girls have talent or they would not have 3 stars. Look at teams like Syracuse, Cal, and other programs have recruited some very good 3 stars. Some of these girls are rated 3 stars because they do not play AAU ball or very few AAU games.
 
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#2,223
#2,223
teacherdean said:
I have a question, there are 8 remaining post players left unsigned, including the 6'9" post from New Jersey. Most are three stars, do we just not recruit anything less than a 4 star? Some of these girls have talent or they would not have 3 stars. Look at teams like Syracuse, Cal, and other programs have recruited some very good 3 stars. Some of these girls are rated 3 stars because they do not play AAU ball or very few AAU games.
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I don't think we recruit 3 stars because I don't think our coaching staff can coach 3 stars (imo)! Holly is trying to live off of Pats reputation and think she can recruit as Pat did but she hasn't proven herself to be the winner Pat was and it is hurting us somewhat in recruiting. Winning would help but many of the players we are getting are top 25 to 50 talent that has an established skill set, players who are not top 50 (Moore) hasn't produced under Holly and has yet to look like they have been developed. I think in a year like this you go hard after a Post because what harm will it cause? Even if the 6'9" post can't produced offensively having her be able to backup Russell for 2 years and then start 2 (she should be capable of starting after playing behind Russell) is a plus but for the likes of me I can't figure out why we haven't reached out/went hard after her
 
#2,224
#2,224
mlindsay said:
I don't think we recruit 3 stars because I don't think our coaching staff can coach 3 stars (imo)! Holly is trying to live off of Pats reputation and think she can recruit as Pat did but she hasn't proven herself to be the winner Pat was and it is hurting us somewhat in recruiting. Winning would help but many of the players we are getting are top 25 to 50 talent that has an established skill set, players who are not top 50 (Moore) hasn't produced under Holly and has yet to look like they have been developed. I think in a year like this you go hard after a Post because what harm will it cause? Even if the 6'9" post can't produced offensively having her be able to backup Russell for 2 years and then start 2 (she should be capable of starting after playing behind Russell) is a plus but for the likes of me I can't figure out why we haven't reached out/went hard after her
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Thanks for the explanation. It is almost like we are too arrogant to realize that the top post for the last three years have not chosen the Lady Vols for some reason. Even the best JC post bypassed us for UK. We need to swallow our pride and go for at least one good 4 or 3 star with upsides. If we can't develop them, then bring in someone who can. There are other programs that seem to have the ability to develop players. You can not invent height but you should be able to teach and develop it. At this point we are way to picky when we cannot afford that luxury. No matter what we think, eventually the inability to recruit your needs will affect a team in a negative way. It is a good chance that will happen this year if Graves and Russell get in foul trouble or one of them is injured.
 
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