2022 Recruits

[Rickster]

2022 recruits we know of that...

Have visited:
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs
Ruby Whitehorn
Justine Pissott (2) Committed

Have not visited yet:
KK Bransford (1)
Talaysia Cooper (5)
Flaujae Johnson (13)
Amiya Joyner (14)
Sa'myah Smith (9)
Ashlyn Watkins (4)

Revised to remove Ta'Niya. Wish her the best.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

at least she won't b a problem in the SEC

lol we might see her in the SEC mega conference that some ppl have in mind lmfaaooo

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

lol we might see her in the SEC mega conference that some ppl have in mind lmfaaooo

The ACC won't be going anywhere unless TN leaves for the ACC... more likely she will transfer home if she doesn't like it and Joni will gladly take her

 

[37620VOL]

@Rickster thanks for keeping that list updated. It's very helpful and appreciated.

 

[VolBall09]

Amen... Also don't look for athletes from certain AAU clubs to go here.

These college coaches get in these AAU coaches ear and some of these AAU coaches are plants to steer kids away from certain program.

So i think Coach Sam and Coach Joy will be busting up these circles soon enough.

When you have a recruiting coordinator not getting out there to squash rumors and do the dirty work it puts you behind the 8 ball and Imma just say it Goldwire was NOT pulling her weight or fully committed to working how you would expecting a person in her position here.

Seemed to be the case. I think her approach is to lay low and find the under the radar kids. Was hopeful for her but the results (or lack there of) spoke for themselves. We just weren’t making any headway on highly touted kids.

Tennessee is going to be in the conversation whether you like it or not. You don’t get to lay low if you’re part of Lady Vol basketball. Glad to have both Coach Sam and Coach Joy who seem confident and outgoing.

Results are the real recruiter so I’m praying for a solid season. A top 2 SEC finish and at least a Sweet 16 birth would go a long way. I know that might sound crazy to others, but Kellie herself has said they’re after championships. Nothing less. I’m not so naive to think we’re going to be a Final Four caliber team this year, but I think we’re going to be better than anticipated (again.)

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

So they send them to KY? lol doesn't make sense if you ask me

someone is anti-UGA at FBC lolll

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

someone is anti-UGA at FBC lolll

Right! AND TN i still have a feeling that's why Jaz left.

 

[VolBall09]

someone is anti-UGA at FBC lolll

I would be too. Personally don’t understand all the hype about Joni. She’s been there a while now and I’ve not been impressed. IMO she has done nothing with the players she’s gotten. Talented players that didn’t improve much at all. They play hard but none of them advanced much from Freshman to senior year.

I think Caliya Robinson was one of the most under utilized and underdeveloped players in recent memory. Still blows my mind she isn’t in the W, she had all the pieces to be great but was consistently mismanaged.

If not for the Covid rule change they would be looking at a really rough season. They benefitted possibly more than anyone SEC from the extra eligibility. Could bite them though as they may not utilize the younger players on the roster which will really set them back in the future. Something a lot of them haven’t considered I suspect.

You can’t continue to grow your program playing the same players who have leveled out.

If you look at their guards really they should have Barker and Chapman which would have made for a verrry long season. Chapman hardly contributed and Barker just isn’t on the right level. Barely scratches 20% from 3 and doesn’t have a great handle from what I’ve seen.

 

[djtee]

Other than a power forward four type elite players or maybe even center were fine for 2022. There is always the portal she could've got more than Dye if she had wanted to they were in there for the taking. I think she is totally satisfied with the roster for this season probably think she needs to add some inside help for 2022 as Key will be a senior. I think were still having to debate whether Emily is up to playing at the SEC level will find out this season. Green's last season so were needing inside players for the 2022 roster. Portal totally going to load up comes March of a lot of players that don't even know it yet. Sitting on the bench when you think you are a player becomes tedious very quickly.

If we have connections in New Jersey would should've been in on Tabatha Amaze terrific post in the 2022 class. I believe she is an elite post somebody will get a top player in her.

Good post Volfan2012: Remember i have been posting about her a while back Tabatha Amaze seen her this year and 2 years ago when her team won the NJ state championship. That team blew away every team in NJ that year Dominique Darius now Dominique Onu and Olivia Miles.

 

[lfvol]

I will also say this ... Kellie may have lost out on a recruit or 2 this cycle because she will NOT promise starting spots or playing time. So, she has been reported as pulling some offers..,

If you can get elite kids great. I just hope we aren’t expecting kids to act like it’s 1992. We are doing the selling if we are getting top kids. Your approach has to work.

 

[djtee]

Jada Brown. Don`t know much about her never seen her play

 

[lfvol]

Seemed to be the case. I think her approach is to lay low and find the under the radar kids. Was hopeful for her but the results (or lack there of) spoke for themselves. We just weren’t making any headway on highly touted kids.

Tennessee is going to be in the conversation whether you like it or not. You don’t get to lay low if you’re part of Lady Vol basketball. Glad to have both Coach Sam and Coach Joy who seem confident and outgoing.

Results are the real recruiter so I’m praying for a solid season. A top 2 SEC finish and at least a Sweet 16 birth would go a long way. I know that might sound crazy to others, but Kellie herself has said they’re after championships. Nothing less. I’m not so naive to think we’re going to be a Final Four caliber team this year, but I think we’re going to be better than anticipated (again.)

Glad we moved on. If you do not have favorable relationships with the elite AAU coaches, good luck whether that is how you want it to be or not. Look at Barnes utilizing Maze influence and now his freshly hired assistant connection in TX for Wallace.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

If you can get elite kids great. I just hope we aren’t expecting to act like it’s 1992. We are doing the selling if we are getting top kids. Your approach has to work.

Not being rude but what does this mean? Should kellie promise athletes playing time? I think Kellie hiring a social media person for the team and hiring who she hired is a different approach and adaption but i'm not with promising playing time at all. That's just me. Then you start breaking other rules and then you end up with penalties. Just seems like a slippery slope...

But again i may have misunderstood what you were saying ... I also believe TN can't show up but has to change stuff to attract the top talent. One of those things is letting some of these coaches know that the negative smearing is done and address them on it.

Again this isn't meant to be rude but clarify and also get your point of view. I appreciate your posts

 

[Tyree02]

at least she won't b a problem in the SEC

I just saw where Florida State and Clemson recently have reached out to the SEC according to breaking news over on Twitter. The SEC is gonna be crazy if they allow those two to come. Honestly, they don't bring in the numbers that Texas and Oklahoma will bring in. Clemson, maybe?

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

The ACC won't be going anywhere unless TN leaves for the ACC... more likely she will transfer home if she doesn't like it and Joni will gladly take her

wow

 

[lfvol]

Not being rude but what does this mean? Should kellie promise athletes playing time? I think Kellie hiring a social media person for the team and hiring who she hired is a different approach and adaption but i'm not with promising playing time at all. That's just me. Then you start breaking other rules and then you end up with penalties. Just seems like a slippery slope...

But again i may have misunderstood what you were saying ... I also believe TN can't show up but has to change stuff to attract the top talent. One of those things is letting some of these coaches know that the negative smearing is done and address them on it.

Again this isn't meant to be rude but clarify and also get your point of view. I appreciate your posts

I agree with everything you wrote here. I was primarily reacting to the comment about pulling offers which sounds like a petty reaction because that’s not how we think it should be or how it used to be. I’m not saying we are petty btw before someone gets upset. Kids, or usually those around them, may look for assurances. It is up to the staff to sell them it’s there if they prove they deserve it. And as importantly, you have to be willing to start freshmen so you can point to that with future recruits. I’d look for that opportunity even if others earn the most minutes or starts as you go along.

 

[mlindsay]

I agree with everything you wrote here. I was primarily reacting to the comment about pulling offers which sounds like a petty reaction because that’s not how we think it should be or how it used to be. I’m not saying we are petty btw before someone gets upset. Kids, or usually those around them, may look for assurances. It is up to the staff to sell them it’s there if they prove they deserve it. And as importantly, you have to be willing to start freshmen so you can point to that with future recruits. I’d look for that opportunity even if others earn the most minutes or starts as you go along.

I don't think pulling an offer when a players integrity is at question is a problem. If I am reaching out to you constantly and can not get a hold of you or anyone in your circle, I take it that you are no longer interested in my program and I move on.

 

[Volfan2012]

Not being rude but what does this mean? Should kellie promise athletes playing time? I think Kellie hiring a social media person for the team and hiring who she hired is a different approach and adaption but i'm not with promising playing time at all. That's just me. Then you start breaking other rules and then you end up with penalties. Just seems like a slippery slope...

But again i may have misunderstood what you were saying ... I also believe TN can't show up but has to change stuff to attract the top talent. One of those things is letting some of these coaches know that the negative smearing is done and address them on it.

Again this isn't meant to be rude but clarify and also get your point of view. I appreciate your posts

Is it possible she pulled the offers because the players insisted on playing time and thus there was no reason to pursue further. There had to be a reason for pulling an offer and that would be one logical reason could be others.

 

[lfvol]

Is it possible she pulled the offers because the players insisted on playing time and thus there was no reason to pursue further. There had to be a reason for pulling an offer and that would be one logical reason could be others.

Lots of things are possible. It’s probably not worth discussing the issue here as it is relatively trivial. Just saying that you can always stop calling and following a recruit if you don’t like what you are seeing. But what is to be gained by “pulling offers” if as explained it was over desire for playing time assurances. Coaches have long memories and those around recruits are always wanting to get as much assurance as possible. That’s not going to be a concern for a top five kid. But it can be for others. Good recruiters sell their opportunity and have proof as backup.

 

[LadyOrange]

I will also say this ... Kellie may have lost out on a recruit or 2 this cycle because she will NOT promise starting spots or playing time. So, she has been reported as pulling some offers..,

Glad for this. ALL players have to earn time on the floor.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

wow

Inevitable.

 

[mlindsay]

Lots of things are possible. It’s probably not worth discussing the issue here as it is relatively trivial. Just saying that you can always stop calling and following a recruit if you don’t like what you are seeing. But what is to be gained by “pulling offers” if as explained it was over desire for playing time assurances. Coaches have long memories and those around recruits are always wanting to get as much assurance as possible. That’s not going to be a concern for a top five kid. But it can be for others. Good recruiters sell their opportunity and have proof as backup.

Geno and many other coaches pull offers all the time and no one questions it. Many offers are on conditions being met. If you haven't met one of the conditions or are no longer meeting the conditions, I can pull my offer. Just so happened that her offer being pulled was reported and I doubt if anyone from our program reported the offer being pulled.

 

[LadyOrange]

Is it possible she pulled the offers because the players insisted on playing time and thus there was no reason to pursue further. There had to be a reason for pulling an offer and that would be one logical reason could be others.

I think offers are pulled when the coaches have solid evidence that a player will not be a good fit for the Lady Vols culture. Can you imagine Westbrook getting away with her s$it with Pat? I remember Pat laying down the law with Peggy Evans who was a phenomenal player but her presence on the team was disruptive and Pat also got fed up with her refusal to respect Pat’s expertise as a coach. Pat kicked her to the curb. Geno got in on the smear campaign long ago. He told recruits’ parents that their daughters would become lesbians if they played at UT. That was just one of his strategies. He also said things about Tara Vanderveer and some other coaches and Pat called him out by ending the series with UConn. She didn’t go into specifics publicly because she feared damage to women’s basketball as a whole. Rhyne Howard, a few other players who think more of themselves than they really are have the ears of recruits and because they don’t like us, do a pretty good job of influencing young recruits who have little if any knowledge of women’s college basketball history, especially Lady Vols history. What I like about Kellie is that she won’t put up with that crap and has a smile on her face while doing it. She’s not a saint, I’m sure, but she has an integrity that is impeccable. Recruits and their parents who want that integrity are who we want.

 

[Rickster]

I must have missed something. Has Kellie been pulling offers back? From whom?

 

[lvocd]

The good news is the fact that so many universities are jockeying to be a part of the SEC should end the debate about which conference is the best in the land.

The bad news is that soon the conference could be so crowded it leaves no room on schedules for non-conference opponents. I always enjoy our out-of-conference games, so I'm feeling a little anxious about how all this will shake out.