2023 Recruiting - WBB

CreakyHorn said:
So, what's the scoop on her? Are we interested?
Click to expand...
Have no idea. When someone posts on social media that they took an "unofficial" visit, there's somewhat mutual interest. Considering there were players from all different ages/classes at the summer camps, not all of them receive the one-on-one attention from the coaching staff that comes with being on an unofficial visit.

This is the first time I've heard Kierra Merchant's name; haven't had time to do any research about her position, skills, state/national recruiting rankings, etc.
 
DFW_Horn said:
Boom…Vic gets his BIG

Click to expand...

Per her Twitter posts sort of felt like she was a pretty strong Longhorn lean. But I am a little surprised she committed this early and that she is not listed in the top 60 of the ESPN Hoopsgurlz Recruiting Rankings! I guess she had her mind made up but most recruits want to enjoy the process and take there official visits on the university dime. With her Texas commitment I’m sure her ranking will vastly improve on the next ESPN update later this year. She sure looks good in the video I’ve seen on her summer league team!
 
Ellis21d said:
Per her Twitter posts sort of felt like she was a pretty strong Longhorn lean. But I am a little surprised she committed this early and that she is not listed in the top 60 of the ESPN Hoopsgurlz Recruiting Rankings! I guess she had her mind made up but most recruits want to enjoy the process and take there official visits on the university dime. With her Texas commitment I’m sure her ranking will vastly improve on the next ESPN update later this year. She sure looks good in the video I’ve seen on her summer league team!
Click to expand...
She has drastically improved over the last year. She can be very good if she works on her mobility and conditioning which I am sure her trainer is working with her on. So much untapped potential and I can't wait to see where she is by her senior year. Great pickup for our first 2023 commit.
 
Last edited:
ESPN2 showing the Nike EYBL Championships. Cy Fair playing Cal Stars. Chance to see Gisella Maul, Rylee Grays, and Chloe Clardy play. The game is at halftime.
 
UTExinPDX said:
ESPN2 showing the Nike EYBL Championships. Cy Fair playing Cal Stars. Chance to see Gisella Maul, Rylee Grays, and Chloe Clardy play. The game is at halftime.
Click to expand...
Did you get a chance to watch the 16u game? It was essence vs Iowa attack?? That pg from Georgia who played on the essence team is the real deal!! Easily a top 3 player in her class. Our staff was at the games so I expect an offer to be sent out soon for her.
 
Jacob Johnson said:
Did you get a chance to watch the 16u game? It was essence vs Iowa attack?? That pg from Georgia who played on the essence team is the real deal!! Easily a top 3 player in her class. Our staff was at the games so I expect an offer to be sent out soon for her.
Click to expand...

I did not see that game.
 
I have to ask the question? How many open scholarship spots do we have open for the 2023 class? This makes the assumption we add Littlejohn-Buggs in the 2022 class and we already have Abbie Boutilier committed for the 2023 class. Does that leave one open spot to meet the scholarship limit of 15?
 
Ellis21d said:
I have to ask the question? How many open scholarship spots do we have open for the 2023 class? This makes the assumption we add Littlejohn-Buggs in the 2022 class and we already have Abbie Boutilier committed for the 2023 class. Does that leave one open spot to meet the scholarship limit of 15?
Click to expand...
Lazy way to find out that someone's done an excellent job of tracking is Raoul's:
Texas Women's Basketball Recruiting | WBB Blog
 
Jacob Johnson said:
She has drastically improved over the last year. She can be very good if she works on her mobility and conditioning which I am sure her trainer is working with her on. So much untapped potential and I can't wait to see where she is by her senior year. Great pickup for our first 2023 commit.
Click to expand...
Don't get me wrong, if Vic wants her, I want her.

A trainer can improve someone's conditioning, which is so important to play Vic's brand of BB. But can you improve a 6'9 woman's mobility?

I hope so, but I fear that "quickness" is in the genes. It makes me wonder if Vic is prepared to play a more traditional half-court defense when Abbie is on the floor. For the vast majority of opponents, Abbie's presence near the basket will compensate, but that may not be the way to go when playing the extremely athletic Top 10 teams.
 
Zig72 said:
Don't get me wrong, if Vic wants her, I want her.

A trainer can improve someone's conditioning, which is so important to play Vic's brand of BB. But can you improve a 6'9 woman's mobility?

I hope so, but I fear that "quickness" is in the genes. It makes me wonder if Vic is prepared to play a more traditional half-court defense when Abbie is on the floor. For the vast majority of opponents, Abbie's presence near the basket will compensate, but that may not be the way to go when playing the extremely athletic Top 10 teams.
Click to expand...
Word has it (from someone who observed her this summer) that Abbie gets up and down the floor pretty good especially for her size. Where she needs to improve is her footwork and quickness in the half court. That's not uncommon in players going from their first two years of high school into their last two. The transition from sophomore to junior is typically the most profound. She's only about 16 years old at this point. I expect she'll be much improved in those areas by the time she hits the 40 acres. Looking forward to watching her development over the next couple of years, and ultimately suiting up in the burnt orange!
 
Last edited:
DFW_Horn said:
I'm interested in seeing how a very offense-focused coach (Neighbors) fares in the long term against 3 top tier defensive coaches (Vic, Staley and Mulkey).
Click to expand...
You're reading my thoughts. It's a "fun" style of play that Neighbors deploys, but on those nights where shots just aren't falling (and that DOES happen) there's no defense to depend on. Subpar defensive development in players also doesn't translate so well at the next level. I'll take Vic's style any day... attacking aggressively on both sides of the ball. I'm anxious to see how our team looks now that the staff has brought in some more natural shooters/scorers.
 
brnkj said:
You're reading my thoughts. It's a "fun" style of play that Neighbors deploys, but on those nights where shots just aren't falling (and that DOES happen) there's no defense to depend on.
Click to expand...
As we saw when Arkansas fell in the first round to 13-seed Wright State of this last NCAA tourney. The hogs shot 34% from the floor (31.8% from 3).
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Weekly Prediction Contest

* Predict TEXAS-KENTUCKY *
Sat, Nov 23 • 2:30 PM on ABC

Recent Threads

Prediction Results Threads

2024 Schedules

Back
Top