2019 Recruiting - WBB

Apparently, in-home visits for the class of 2019 don't begin until March 1, 2018. So, it might be a while (assuming we get no word of offers or verbal commitments) until we know who the staff is really targeting.

As I've noted before, I expect us to sign a small class for 2019 (unless some true elites want to come) and focus more with a larger class in 2020 (where the in-state talent appears to be deeper).

That being said, as much as Joyner and Rellah may want to be play SF, I still think we are lacking a true small forward; even on our current roster; Ariel is someone who I believe will slide over to SF to start the season, especially with Joyner being out. This will allow us to basically play with 3 guards most of the time.

For next season, we still won't have a true SF (with a combination of ideal size, quickness, and shooting) on the roster; if we get Christyn Williams, I think she could help at that position. Audrey Warren will definitely a help there, although a bit undersized. Waiting to see if Jada Underwood finds a home at SF. Obviously, previous commitments like Shae Routt and Lolo Davenport definitely had the size to fill a void at SF.

Have seen nothing to indicate that Liz Scott is interested in us; she did not attend our summer camp. She did visit A&M a couple of months ago.

So, at the moment, I think SF is a big need for the 2019 class. But, maybe our coaching staff has a different opinion, and knows their player personnel better than I do.

 

Here's a Tweet from Liz Scott. I believe that's Liz giving the "Hook 'em"

 

Celeste Taylor of the Philly Belles visited unofficially:

 

Always nice to see parents on these visits. She’s probably a bit young to have played with her but the Philly Belles were Mide’s club team.

 

A couple of weeks ago, a poster (a Texas Ex) on Orangebloods.com posted that he was bringing his daughter from New York for an unofficial visit to Texas. It might be Celeste.

Hoopgurlz ranks her #14 overall, while PropsectNation ranks her #54. She is listed at about 5'10 or 5'11; she seems to be around 6'0 standing next to Tina, but perhaps it is the hair.

 

Is there any information out there on whether
Samantha Brunelle has scheduled a visit this year to the campus? I like her game. Think it would fit well with what Coach KA is doing.

 

I thought she had stopped by campus sometime this spring or summer.
At any rate, she visited Louisville on the 21st and Kentucky on the 22nd. Busy schedule for unofficial visits this month. Be nice to get another one.
http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/20992176/top-2019-basketball-prospect-samantha-brunelle-uses-star-power-help-houston-kids-impacted-hurricane-Harvey

 

If Clarkson is consistent with tweeting out who has offered her, then I don't Texas has yet as she hasn't tweeted about it. But, you can add A&M to offers from Miss. State and LSU:

 

I don't know if it's just my thinking, but I hope we don't lose out on some great players by always being a finalist for the #1 ranked player (always out of state), and losing that battle year after year.

 

I get what you are saying, but for 2019, I don't see an alternative. Other than Louisville commit Nyah Green, it is not clear if a Top 5 national player will hail from Texas. And Top 5 - Top 10 is the new normal here. We know we'll have a minimum of 5 ships, so 3 or 4 of those have to go somewhere.

It's still early, the rankings will evolve, so who knows who will be #1 in the Spring. This will be a fascinating and challenging year for Texas recruiting. As Mooo mentioned above, maybe we should be super-selective this year and go all out in the 20 class.

 

For those keeping track of recruits and their visits, Raoul has this update on Brunelle and Clark. I think Texas has shown interest in both.

 

Let's be real; it is extremely tough going against UConn in recruiting. They have Geno's pedigree and all those championships to battle. If an out-of-state recruit has dreamed about going to UConn (like Christyn Williams has, IMO), and family pays their own way for an unofficial visit (that warrants a flight), then chances are they will end up at UConn. Could be the same for an in-state recruit, but at least we have different factors in our favor (such as kids wanting to stay in Texas).

Coach Aston is a fighter and competitor; she is not afraid to battle for a national recruit, which I admire. She is very much like Jerritt Elliott in that respect. Mack Brown, toward the end of his time at Texas, just started "settling" for the recruits who were willing to commit early; he did not want to battle for them; that is why the talent level on his football squads began to plummet.

On the other hand, you sometimes have to just take your hat out of the race if all signs point to a recruit being destined to go elsewhere. Put your time and efforts into a battle that is not so skewed (toward a school like UConn).

 

Our coaching staff is recruiting at a very elite level the last 2-3 classes. They will continue to recruit the best players who show an interest in Texas, fill needs, and want to compete. If our summer camp was any indication, there are bunch of in-state underclassmen who are interested in Texas.

It's difficult to assume everyone on the roster will stay healthy, and remain on the roster for four years. So many things affect the roster each season.

For 2019, I'm as anxious as anyone to see who is on our radar. Would I love to get the kid from Canada and Samantha Brunelle from Virginia? You bet. But, we will be battling UConn and Notre Dame for them, among other schools who are closer geographically.

IMO, our biggest need is a true SF with elite size, quickness, and shooting ability. I would be okay even if said recruit was 6'0 or so instead of the elite 6'2 height. That could be the one spot on the 2019-20 roster where a true freshman could come in and win that starting position based on our lack of true SF depth. So, we have that need to convey to said recruits. In-state, doesn't look like there is that player available, unless you consider Nyah Green (Louisville commitment) as already mentioned.

So, for that SF spot, I think we have no choice but to go out of state.

 

2019 Taylor Jones and 2020 Hannah Gusters are on my wishlist:

 

For that SF position in 2019, I really would like to get Samantha Brunelle in the fold. At least at this point in time, she is still interested in Texas.

 

She has to be at the top of the list.

But, her family paid their way to Notre Dame this weekend from Virginia for an unofficial visit. That definitely indicates high interest. If she does the same for Texas sometime in the next few months, then it will prove we are serious contenders.

I realize she visited us in 2016 for our football game against Notre Dame, but don't think her family came with her as she just happened to be playing in a tourney in Houston the day before and her coach drove a bunch of players to Austin. For all we know, she loves Notre Dame and couldn't pass up the chance to watch their football team.

I know we showed interest in Hayley Jones from California; hopefully, she is considering us as she seems like she could fill our void for a true SF.

 

Blue Star Media pre-season player projections came out today. These projections extend out to the 2022 class so this info could have been posted on the 2019, 2020 or 2021 threads.

http://www.bluestarmedia.org/blue-star-media-pre-season-projections/

 

BlueStar's rankings are kind of a mix between Hoopgurlz and ProspectNation. No Taylor Jones or Jaden Owens for 2019. No Hannah Gusters for 2020.

I'm really intrigued by 2019 Celeste Taylor of NY. Glad she took an unofficial with her parents last month.

 

Taylor's recruitment is definitely one to keep an eye on. I've watched a few videos of her and she's smooth, athletic and has a great shot from all areas of the court. It also looks like she plays hard on defense.

 

Have you seen or read something specific about Jaden's interest in us? I recall a photo of her posted on here with her Cy-Fair teammates where she was wearing a Longhorn hoodie. Not sure if that was at our camp, or just a club photo.

Anxious to know where things stand with her.

 

Nothing definitive. Just assumptions based on her ties with current players/commits, social media activity and losing Brooke this year making a PG a likely take. I could be completely off base - that's why I hedged my statement.

 

It's been very quiet with Jaden Owens since she de-committed from SMU. It was also very quiet prior to her committing to SMU, so we shouldn't be all that surprised. At least we know that likes Texas enough to sport a Longhorn hoodie.

I do think her recruitment could be key in how things shake out with the 2020 class; nationally, it is the year of the PG as there are many ranked highly, including Irving's Sarah Andrews. And, of course, if Joanne Allen-Taylor is a combo guard, that could impact our future PG targets, as well.

 

I watched Owens as a freshman starting point guard for Plano West in the playoffs 2 years ago. She really stood out. West lost and she didnt handle it well late. The coach had to finally pull her aside and give her some tough love. Spirited, extremely competitive, a little hot-headed.....a lot to like in a freshman PG. If she has matured, and reigned some things in......she could be a great addition to any team.

 

Summer article on Celeste Taylor:

https://www.newsday.com/sports/high...-taylor-named-to-u16-national-team-1.13696581

 

2018 signing day was soo long ago. What’s the hold up for 2019 commits?

 

Can't put my finger on who our 2018 targets will be. I'm sure every program wants Brunelle and the player from Canada; but, I try not to include out-of-state players in my wishlist unless they have a connection to Texas, or visited Texas unofficially with their family. Regardless, I'm sure our staff will continue to recruit them as we were listed in each recruits' Top 12 or so.

The 2018 class had its share of decommitments, and we ended up with an incredible class, but no 6'0+ wing player. I think that should be a priority, but maybe height isn't everything to our coaching staff.

It's difficult to predict a 2019 class without trying to figure out how it meshes with the 2018 class, and/or the 2020 class.

My early wish list:

2019: Taylor Jones, Celeste Taylor, Jaden Owens
2020: Hannah Gusters, Deyona Gaston, Jordyn Meritt, Deja Kelly, Sarah Andrews

Yes, I'm greedy. In my list, that excludes players like Arkansas' 2020 Sasha Goforth, who very well could be coveted by our coaches. And, several more.

 

I wonder about Audrey. I have seen her listed from 5-9 to 5-11. And Jada will be available for two more years. I think we will probably see some smaller lineups in the backcourt in order to get our best guards on the court at the same time. One backcourt lineup I would like to see next season would be LaShann, Alecia and Chasity.

Still, at the same time, another 6 foot + wing would be nice to have, especially an elite player like Brunelle.

I am guessing that you are right about a small class next year. Taylor Jones, Samantha Brunelle and one other would make for a great class. I really don't care if they are from Texas or not.

 

I like your lists. For 2019, I'll add Liz Scott (6.0" Wing) and Haley Jones (6.1" Wing). I covet Amihere from Canada but our proximity to Canada isn't in our favor.

 

I don't really care which states the recruits reside in; but, our chances are much higher with in-state kids.

Doesn't seem like Liz Scott has given us a sniff (or vice versa). Things could change, but no reports that she ever visited us, but she has visited A&M and Baylor, I believe. She plays for the San Antonio club team that Na'Lyssa Smith played for, and coached by Clarissa Davis, I think.

 

Just based on points in box score, Gusters and Jones had underwhelming games Tuesday. Duncanville won by 2 points over Mansfield Timberview and Gusters had like 3 points. Jones had like 7 points for Dallas Christian.