2021 Recruiting - WBB

Moore junior, Aaliyah Moore, looking forward to next step at Texas - BVM Sports US

Can't read this enough:

Moore is so physically imposing in the paint that she sometimes goes by “Lady LeBron.”


Watching old film of Tamika Catchings stands out to me. I'd like to see more GBB reference female players when asked about whose film they watch to improve their game because the style of play between the men's and women's game is significant. It's happening more often recently so that's a bit encouraging.

I really can't wait to see Aaliyah in the burnt orange.
 
When my youngest daughter was playing AAU and high school basketball, we used to go watch Catchings in the Sandra Meadows tournament when she played for Duncanville. She was simply amazing. At that time what stood out was her explosion, athleticism and speed. Her fundamentals and footwork were great too. I wondered at the time, what was I seeing? Turned out she was a generational talent. Moore having Catchings as a role model has to be good.
 
Aaliyah all over the floor - jumping passing lanes, dishing, rebounding and finishing against contact. Very smooth, especially at 6’ 3”.

 
She brings game Horns havent had. I can’t think of any recent player to compare her to. Has the kind of game needed to compete for championships. Excited.
 
Strength and conditioning coaches Andrea Hudy and Zack Zillner started following Kyndall Hunter on twitter; hoping that's another good sign.
 
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Second time in recent memory a player with family ties to Texas ends up at TCU. Previous was Jerrod Heard’s younger sister, Lauren, who I do not think was offered by Texas. Ending up leading the horned toads in scoring (18.4 ppg) this past season. Good luck to Paige (when they aren’t playing the Longhorns).

 
Excerpt from an article about Moore HS players committed to play in college:

Moore, a 6-foot-3 forward, averaged 21.7 points and 11.1 rebounds per game as a junior. That earned her the Gatorade Oklahoma Girls Basketball Player of the Year award. Rated as the No. 7 recruit in ESPN’s HoopGurlz Class of 2021 rankings, Moore chose Texas over offers from UCLA, Florida State, Notre Dame, Syracuse and South Carolina.

The close proximity to family in Oklahoma and the opportunity to pursue a sportscasting career with the Longhorn Network were selling points that pushed Texas over the top.

“It just felt like home,” Moore said.

“They have all types of opportunities for me. Academics was a big thing and my family being close. I love the coaches. They’re great leaders that can help me reach my goals.”

“I also love the players that are there. Each one of them are like my sisters,” she added. “I think we can do so many great things together.”

The Longhorns are getting a five-star talent that continues to expand her game. Moore shot 36 percent from three-point range this past season on more than 80 attempts.

“One thing that I would describe myself as is very versatile,” Moore said. “I’ve worked on that since my freshman year. My ball handling has improved, my three-point shot, my midrange. I still have so much more growth and that’s what makes me so excited for the future.”
 
On Instaagram, Coach Lovato started following Kiki Iriafen out of California. This is surprising as Iriafen recently released a final 5 of Stanford, UCLA, Baylor, Notre Dame, and UConn.
 
On Instaagram, Coach Lovato started following Kiki Iriafen out of California. This is surprising as Iriafen recently released a final 5 of Stanford, UCLA, Baylor, Notre Dame, and UConn.
I’m starting to think Coach Lovato, in her role as recruiting coordinator, is the ‘wide net’ being cast. Based on what I’ve read of his process, the assistants evaluate/funnel prospects and Vic then has final say. Not saying it doesn’t mean anything but I’d say it’s a sign things are getting serious when Jackson-Durrett and/or Harris get involved.

All that being said, her ESPN scouting report lists her as the #9 overall prospect and #4 Forward (Aaliyah is #3). While Aaliyah seems like a hybrid 3/4 leaning toward a 4, Iriafen might be a hybrid 3/4 leaning toward a 3.

Kiki:
“Athletic front court prospect plays with finesse and power in the key; superior length cleans the glass, elevates over defenders in the key with soft touch on jump shot; superb in transition game; quick-leaper, a defensive presence in the paint; impacts as a high major prospect in the class of 2021.”

Aaliyah:
“Versatile front court performer powers through defenders in the key, consistently delivers results vs. contact; mismatch producer brings quick attack off the dribble, gets to the rim with interior footwork complemented by face up game in the key; physical, dominant and efficient; a power-5 prospect in the class of 2021.”
 
I’m starting to think Coach Lovato, in her role as recruiting coordinator, is the ‘wide net’ being cast. Based on what I’ve read of his process, the assistants evaluate/funnel prospects and Vic then has final say. Not saying it doesn’t mean anything but I’d say it’s a sign things are getting serious when Jackson-Durrett and/or Harris get involved.

All that being said, her ESPN scouting report lists her as the #9 overall prospect and #4 Forward (Aaliyah is #3). While Aaliyah seems like a hybrid 3/4 leaning toward a 4, Iriafen might be a hybrid 3/4 leaning toward a 3.

Kiki:
“Athletic front court prospect plays with finesse and power in the key; superior length cleans the glass, elevates over defenders in the key with soft touch on jump shot; superb in transition game; quick-leaper, a defensive presence in the paint; impacts as a high major prospect in the class of 2021.”

Aaliyah:
“Versatile front court performer powers through defenders in the key, consistently delivers results vs. contact; mismatch producer brings quick attack off the dribble, gets to the rim with interior footwork complemented by face up game in the key; physical, dominant and efficient; a power-5 prospect in the class of 2021.”
I agree with Lovato being the Texas coach who starts the recruiting process, so to speak.

My comments were more about finding it odd that Lovato starts following a recruit on IG weeks after said recruit released her final list of 5 schools, with Texas not being one of them. So, either she is very late to the party, or perhaps there could be mutual interest despite her list of a final five. Either way, seems too little too late to me. On the other hand, we have no idea of this staff's relationship with Iriafen (if any) while at MSU. So, lots of unknowns.

Obviously, I'm the one who posted about her following Iriafen. I just wanted to make it clear that the timing seemed pretty unusual, and very late in the game with the signing period scheduled to begin in November.
 
If Kyndall Hunter would just hurry up and announce her verbal commitment to Texas, all would be good in the world . . . :p


She said she wants to wait until she is able to take visits which at this point may be a while. Timeline was maybe next spring or summer but I wouldn't be surprised if she commits sometime this year since nobody is going on a visit anytime soon.
 

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