2021 Recruiting - WBB

High school basketball: MHS star Aaliyah Moore builds toward bright future with Texas commitment

 

I guess my main surprise is that the previous coaching staff had almost secured her commitment. But then, as her comments made clear, it was really the school (and city) and not the coaches the primary reason she came.

 

I saw recent posts on other schools' message boards that Aaliyah had been close to verbally committing to the previous Texas staff. Not exactly sure when that might have been. Didn't realize she had made so many unofficial visits to Texas (especially since she is an out-of-state prospect); but, that was bigger than huge since campus visits of any kind aren't allowed during this pandemic.

Obviously, the previous staff(s) was not perfect. But, one thing they were very good at was building relationships with recruits and their families. They were very good (especially 2-4 years ago) at getting elite recruits across the country (Sabrina Ionescu, Megan Walker, Azzi Fudd, etc.) interested in Texas enough for them to take unofficial or official visits.

I know the previous staff had many flaws, but I think crediting them with an "assist" (pun intended) to Schaefer's staff in landing DeYona Gaston, Rori Harmon, and Aaliyah Moore is more than appropriate.

 

I'll say this... the current staff definitely inherited a better situation than the last two did. Add to that the current staff's proven record, and I think we have the next piece of our gradual ascension back to a perennial Top 5 in place.

KA and Co may have taken a step or two back the past couple of seasons, but they definitely took many steps forward prior to that. The overall body of work was one of progress. Whether or not that progress was as much as it should have been will always be a point of contention among some of us. But it was progress all the same. I'm appreciative of that.

 

Since speculation is a lot of what we do as it pertains to recruiting, and assuming we will only take one more 2021 senior (I'm just going for the minimum number right now for the sake of this discussion):

- Who is your "want" recruit ?

- Who is your "need" recruit ?

Our frontcourt seems to be in good shape for 2021 assuming no attrition (Collier - Sr.; Ebo - Jr./Sr.; Coleman - Soph.; Johnson - Soph.; Gaston - Soph.; Moore - Fr.). The 2021 senior class doesn't seem to have many true post players; and, as we know, post players who don't mind banging down low are very rare these days as it seems everyone wants to shoot perimeter jump shots or bring the ball up the court.

6'4 Maryam Dauda out of Arkansas seems like the only "Center" remaining out there who is highly regarded. She was offered by the prior Texas coaching staff; so, good news there. Don't think she's ever visited. So, know idea which schools are the frontrunners for her signature. I would say she is "need" recruit.

Greedily, I would love to get someone who excels at 3-point shooting (maybe that's already Paige Bradley's specialty); but, I'm not sure Vic recruits "specialists" as he demands a player be good at defense in order to see court time. Perhaps there are situational exceptions (at the end of a game when you substitute an offensive player for a defensive player at each side of the court). Perhaps we're set there (assuming newcomers like Karisma and Shay can prove they can knock down the long ball this coming season). Not sure if there's SG/W player out there with interest in Texas (from the previous staff) who is known as a pure shooter; but, that would be my "want" position/skill.

 

I have no idea where Miss State stood with her but Vic offered the #25 player in the 2021 class back in January, 6’ 6” center Clarice Akunwafo (Rolling Hills Prep - Inglewood, CA). Also has offers from Duke, UCLA, Michigan, Southern Cal and I assume Cal (visited).

ESPN scout:
Agile low-post prospect brings emerging offensive attack to the paint; defensive presence, alters shots, rebounds and initiates the fast break; mobile in uptempo game; brings off-the-charts potential. (Olson)

Her offense could use some work but you can’t coach that height/length. Seems to have good agility and mobility...

 

Recent tweet about her:

 

Cal a factor, it would seem:

 

I had no idea this existed to track Nigerian players:

 

Maryam Dauda also offered by Missouri, Arkansas, Baylor, Tennessee and UCLA.

Watching this clip...eerily reminiscent of Imani (build/moves).

 

From an article I read, she is really interested in Arkansas and had developed a strong relationship with Coach Mike Neighbors and the team. She wants to get playing time right away also.

 

She reminds me of Teira McGowan

 

Aaliyah’s commitment probably zeroed out what I thought were Texas’ slim chance to land Jersey Wolfenbarger and she ends up where I thought she would. I know she’s listed as a PG but I still think she ends up at the wing.

 

Coach Neighbors is building quite a program, as I feel almost certain he will also get Dauda.

 

I think they’ll be the program that will be the challenger to South Carolina in the future.

 

ASGR's rankings:

2.0 Update: Top 75 Players In Class Of 2021 Compiled By Bret McCormick Powered With ASGR Basketball Recruiting APP @UConnWBB | ASGR Basketball

 

Aaliyah #8 and Rori #9?

 

That's more like it. I am not saying rankings matter because they really don't at all but in the espn rankings Rori is ranked way to low and there is no way she is the 6th best pg in that class. She is top 3 for sure and deserves to be top 10-15 nationally. Again they don't matter but she needs respect put on her name!

 

I think so, too.

 

Challenger in the way MSU was, very competitive games but likely only winning every 3 years or so

 

Doubt it.

 

I don’t. With the talent steadily improving and his style of play I see them being the team in the conf to challenge South Carolina in the future.

 

Not sure if this is 4 PM Eastern or Central today; think it's Central being in OK.

 

His style of play is the main reason why I don’t see them as a challenge. Run and gun won’t work if you can’t rebound or play defense. His teams can score but they’ll never be a threat if they can’t defend and get stops. Also him landing Wolfenbarger, Eaton, and possibly Dauda doesn’t tip the meter in his favor the slightest, especially if SC lands Rivers and/or Feagin. He’s benefiting from landing talented in state player’s but Neighbors has to be able to pull players from all corners of the country to be able to compete with Dawn.

 

IMO his current style of play is what is because of the lack of overall talent that he’s had. Once he does get the above all on the court he’ll adjust his DDM/ style of play. And EVERY team in the sec outside of A&M has to get their talent from around the country because of the lack of natural recruiting bases which is why it made obvious sense for Vic to come to Texas.

 

Please don't hijack this thread arguing about South Carolina and SEC basketball teams.

 

Anyone having success listening to the OKC radio broadcast? I can't seem to find the right way to listen.

 

That’s always been his style though, even at Washington with Plum and Osahor. I won’t hijack this thread with a debate we’ll just have to agree to disagree. And every team recruits all over but only a few programs can recruit and land elite talent consistently. Miss St and Kentucky will be more of a threat than Arkansas.