I am so tired. So emotionally exhausted from reading. Stopping for the night. So I wanted to get back to that forgiving place in the universe where all is well with the world........recruiting teenage players for college sports. That desperate want, led me to see if our two Aussies can give us a real boost of hope for next year.....or not. So I went back and looked at the few short videos of their play that were posted months ago. And I also looked at those tweets from experts that we all know haven't ever been correct. Just to see if I could see anything that would change my opinion. Unfortunately, my conclusions from seeing those clips/tweets again didn't change my opinion much. I thing Isabell Palmer has some skills that will help...……..sooner than later but not sure if it is in year one. As for Ashlee, I think she will help as well..... later than sooner. Both these observations are ambiguous and vague......exactly what I needed and meant to say. I looked at the list of international players coming to the USA and was non-plused by the level of schools they would be playing with. That is revealing. That conclusion is that being ranked in the 20s or 30s internationally is not a very good determinator of success in college. Plus I drew on a worldly poet's observation ...... a respected high school coach who many times told me that if I thought I had a demanding career in corporate world, just try putting your head(or other end) on the line every day with 15-17 year old kids. I quit complaining about my job trials and tribulations after that wisdom. I don't know how in the world you can project what a teenager will become in college. You certainly miss on more than you hit......and makes hitting at the Mendoza Line in baseball seem comparatively wonderful. In my fair and biased opinion, if we get any significant contribution from either next year, I will count it as a blessing...……"count your many blessings, one by one". Reading that they will be having 19 year old team try-outs for the Australian team in May, gives me some hope that there will be some additional video of them playing. Then we'll have some summer topics to talk about. I feel better now.
Am I hearing you right, flash? You didn't think they looked all that good? I haven't seen any tape and have no clue what to expect.
I certainly didn’t say they were not good. Just guarded in my opinion. I think Palmer is a really good shooter, with a beautiful high arching shot when in the open. The only thing I don’t know is if she can get her shot off in college when teams know what’s coming. She handles the ball well and seems to have good court vision and is a willing passer and good basketball IQ. The competition is questionable and to be determined if her game translates well to the faster college game. It’s hard to tell if she has the quickness that is needed of a top notch point guard. Hope she does.....just too early to know. She could be an asset at the two guard as you can’t get too many shooters. As for, Ashley it appears she is willing to hustle and bang and is 6’-3” plus. Offensive skills are to be determined. First impression is she is a developmental big and will take a year or two or more to be a rotational player. One HUGE caveat....there is just too limited video of both to really know. Being on international teams and in the 19U tryouts says they are at least ok. I don’t believe either was heavily recruited by the big schools in USA plus both were late additions after Aston struck out with other recruits. That is a big factor for me. Maybe not giving them enough credit perhaps but just a lot of unknowns. If they are contributors next year it will be a mild and welcome surprise. I just don’t think you can count on it.
I wholeheartedly agree on Ashlee taking a season or 2 to develop but I'm a bit more optimistic on Isabel. While she may not have the great foot speed compared to Brooke and Sug, her change of pace and use of the hesitation dribble is pretty good in the clips I've seen. Those skills can really offset a defender's speed advantage. I don't think Destiny is the answer at backup PG - she seems to have some aversion to making post entry passes even when her teammate has the clear advantage. I was encouraged to see Joanne getting more time with the ball in her hands - in my opinion the only viable contingency at PG on the roster until Lashann is 100% healthy and Isabel has signed. I really hope the tryouts and draw fall the Longhorns' way so we get to see Isabel, Ashlee and Celeste match up in Thailand in July.
Thanks Flash and DFW for your observations. These kinds of posts add a lot to my enjoyment of the forum and I expect I have company.
I agree on her change of pace and hesitation dribble. I love to see players use those tactics. If you enjoy use of those skills, watch Doncic. He is amazing at combining those with his size and body position to get an advantage. It tells me a player simply knows the dynamics of the game and is just basketball smart. Good observation and let's watch for that in the summer clips of Palmer. There ARE examples of excellent Australian college players. Baylor has had both men's and women's player's that have excelled. Perhaps our two new Mates will be the next. Aston said it early and we all agreed for the entire year...……….after Higgs went down, she was searching for that back-up point guard. Littleton has to be commended for trying hard every time I have watched. However, that position was never adequately staffed this year. Sutton, Higgs, and Palmer sounds like a good rotation at point guard next year. Then the following year we should have 2 new point guards (Chevalier and ??) to compete with Palmer for time at the 1.
I was very unhappy with the PG play this year and just a light quibble that at the start of the year, we had in theory 3 PGs. One injury and one instant transfer later, we had 1 PG.
We are thin at the true PG spot, that's for sure. I don't really think Chasity was ever intended to be a true PG for us; I recall Coach A saying that we signed Chasity for her shooting ability. Sug has been fabulous for us this year; no doubt our best player on the court, and absolutely deserving of being named First Team All Big 12. Both Raegan Pebly and Bill Fennelly were extremely complimentary of her play. We've put a lot on her shoulders this season, and she delivered for us; so grateful to have her on our roster. She's the perfect example of a team player who despite being highly-ranked on recruiting lists, waited her turn and is now benefitting from all that she has learned the last 3 years at Texas. We're a totally different team when she is not on the floor; but, have to be careful not to wear her out physically. With Destiny, she's not a true PG, as we all know. And, in high school, although she dribbled the ball up the court, her job was not to distribute and pass the ball; it was to shoot and score for her team. Hats off to her for helping the team in any way she can when her number is called. With Lashann back next year, she'll be able to spell Sug at PG for few minutes here and there. But, once they both graduate one year from now, we will be very young and inexperienced at PG for several years.
Which makes it even more important for Joanne and Isabel to get some meaningful minutes next season at that position. I am happy that Joanne has been more minutes late in the season. Her shooting is not where it needs to be but her ballhandling and defense are pretty good.
There’s a tweet of the Purdue men’s basketball coach Matt Painter talking about recruiting/ rankings of players that many on here have talked about. And what he said applies to Texas women’s basketball and recruiting over the last couple of years. I don’t know how to post it on here but his thoughts are right on the money IMO.
I am still not sure of Taylor’s role next year .....as well as ultimate role as an upperclassman. She said prior to enrolling she was not a point guard. In high school she was a scorer. Didn’t see that this year. I loved her hustle and she gave it her all. Wonderful attitude. I think she will see a huge jump in all facets in year two. Will continue to compete at all guard spots. I’m pulling for her in any role she can grab. I just can’t tell you what that is right now.
well, if Joanne is not a PG, then that means that Isabel is likely to be our third option next season behind Sug & LaShanna and would be the only returning PG after next season. Probably why the coaches are looking at two PGs for 2020.
Yep, that's exactly what Karen Aston has said, but I think that even the top 20 might be more than you are really sure about.
Of course...and quite a few top 20 recruits that didn't pan out as well as expected, with some who weren't even in the rankings who turned out to be really great.
Not all top recruits make top players. I've seen some not pan out at pretty much every top program... some more than others. There have also been sleepers that were coached up into star players. But while excuses are proactively being made for the writing on the wall be reminded that those top programs got there by developing what they had into contenders, and stayed there by attracting the top talent because of their proven ability to develop and contend. You don't build a PERRENIAL power without the players.
I have seen many international players compete in the US college system and in tournaments abroad, and the Australians have some great talent coming out of their country. Just look at Kristy Wallace from Baylor, Allanah Smith from Stanford, Tiana Mangakahia from Syracuse,and the list can keep going.... I think these Aussies will come and surprise all of us and will be a great addition to Texas. I can see Isabel and Celeste adding some much needed support in the guard position, especially with Danni leaving.
I agree that there have been some wonderful Aussie players. Wallace was for sure one. Aaron Bruce was another recent one for the Baylor men. The big one is Liz Cambage that played for the Dallas Wings last year. She was All-WNBA for several years, then chose not to play a few years and came back last year. Cambage was dominating...…...I remember she scored 50+ points once last year. For sure Australia has produced some good-uns, just not a lot.
How could anybody forget L Jackson? Forgetting perhaps the best women's player ever is sadly part of getting old. Or not. I have to confess that I have just never have been a fan of the WNBA or similar. This has caused me to miss a ton of great basketball......like Lauren Jackson brings. I did watch a little of the Wings last year due to Cambage joining but will be hard pressed to watch with her not coming back and the point guard going to miss the season having a baby. Mea culpa.
Story from Australia on the upcoming FIBA U19 World Cup. Some nice things about Isabel and Ashlee included. Hopefully, they make the team and we will get a chance to see them play this summer. Wonder if Celeste will be selected to try out for the US U17 team? Gems squad named for camp ahead of Under 19 World Cup
an old story about Isabel (if Feb. 20 is old), posted by her dad on tweeter. Looks like we got a really good PG and individual. Rising star prepares for Longhorn longhaul
"with a move to the US in August." Have to admit I wish she was arriving in June like other freshman - especially for a PG - but she seems to be a mature, hard-working player.
