2024 Recruiting Thread

To be fair, most of that position's players they've had to work with have not been elite, and many like Walker not true point guards.

Walker is not a true point guard? She's certainly not a shooting guard--not big enough for that role and doesn't shoot well enough for that role. That only leaves what she's been playing--PG.

You can't make players better than they naturally are. What you can do is emphasize the fundamentals and playing smart on the court. Harper should be in Jackson's kitchen, for example, for her sometimes half-hearted defense. She is arguably the best athlete on the team and yet she gets beat off the dribble like everyone else, because she doesn't get low enough when playing defense---the commitment is not fully there.

And with everyone, the fundamentals means making smart decisions: Take the open 7 foot jumper and don't try to dribble into traffic to get closer to the basket and lose the ball---as our players do a lot. Don't try to shoot the ball if you are well guarded, which we do a lot. Pass the ball. Know when to get the ball to a post player with good position--and the proper way to get her the ball (typically with a bounce pass)--don't try to lob it in there and watch it get deflected/stolen. If you're guarding someone who does not have the ball, know where the ball is so that you can help quickly if need be. This is another area of poor fundamentals by our team--bad help defense. I can't forget the recent game where Franklin was guarding someone in the paint and completely oblivious to the fact that the guard with the ball beat her Vol defender (how many times does that happen ever game--30?) and is going in for a layup. Franklin, who was no more than a few feet away, had no idea where the ball was. I don't mean to pick on her--as others make the same mistake and are slow to react and help, Etc. etc. etc. etc. We would be a minimum of 10-15 percent better if we played smarter basketball--which the good teams do. We've not been a smart BB team for a LONG time.
 
As much as I hate to admit it, turbovol makes some really excellent points about both our offensive and defensive fundamentals. Take the open 7-footer. Bounce passes to the post. Low stance on defense. Knowing where the ball is on help defense to prevent wide open layups. All accurate critiques.

I would add penetrating and kicking the ball out to open shooters and setting and using screens effectively. It's the "little" things (which actually are the MAJOR things) that make the difference in winning or losing winnable games.

I will also add that drilling the use of screens until the players are proficient in their use will have the added benefit of learning how to defend against them more effectively. Both offense and perimeter defense improve just from this one area of focus. Jmo.
 
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Walker is not a true point guard? She's certainly not a shooting guard--not big enough for that role and doesn't shoot well enough for that role. That only leaves what she's been playing--PG.

Her best role is a backup combo guard. She's good enough to provide spot minutes at either guard spot, not good enough to play starter minutes at either position for a legit team...
 
Big-time Recruit visiting tonight. No. 6 recruit, nation’s most exciting guard, Kiyomi McMiller visiting Tennessee

The Tennessee Lady Vols will be hosting a very special recruit tonight as 5-star phenom — and No. 6 recruit by ESPN — Kiyomi McMiller will be visiting Rocky Top tonight in their game against No. 1 South Carolina, multiple sources tell The Ball Out.

McMiller, in a word, is extraordinary. Her lightning speed, Kyrie Irving-esque handles, and nuclear scoring ability make her easily one of the hottest prospects in the country. McMiller is especially notable for becoming the first high school athlete to land a Jordan Brand NIL deal! She has already shown that she has the potential to be a game-changer and will be an incredible player at the college level.


Historic recruit, No. 6 Kiyomi McMiller, visiting Lady Vols

 
Big-time Recruit visiting tonight. No. 6 recruit, nation’s most exciting guard, Kiyomi McMiller visiting Tennessee

The Tennessee Lady Vols will be hosting a very special recruit tonight as 5-star phenom — and No. 6 recruit by ESPN — Kiyomi McMiller will be visiting Rocky Top tonight in their game against No. 1 South Carolina, multiple sources tell The Ball Out.

McMiller, in a word, is extraordinary. Her lightning speed, Kyrie Irving-esque handles, and nuclear scoring ability make her easily one of the hottest prospects in the country. McMiller is especially notable for becoming the first high school athlete to land a Jordan Brand NIL deal! She has already shown that she has the potential to be a game-changer and will be an incredible player at the college level.


Historic recruit, No. 6 Kiyomi McMiller, visiting Lady Vols


Per article:

“The Lady Vols have a lot of momentum on their side with the recent commitments of top-25 2025 recruit Nyla Brooks and No. 1 recruit in 2027 Finley Chastain, on top of posting their best SEC record since the 2014-15 season, and two players projected to go in the top-10 of this year’s WNBA Draft.”
 
Even worse! I have an appointment Monday😂😂😂
My sister is an optician. She stays on my behind to keep my prescription current, as well as to sell me frames. She really can’t stand smudges (the typical state of being for my specs) and snatches my glasses and goes through the process with cleaner and micro clothe. I’m getting the hang of keeping them clean…after twenty years…
 
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Big-time Recruit visiting tonight. No. 6 recruit, nation’s most exciting guard, Kiyomi McMiller visiting Tennessee

The Tennessee Lady Vols will be hosting a very special recruit tonight as 5-star phenom — and No. 6 recruit by ESPN — Kiyomi McMiller will be visiting Rocky Top tonight in their game against No. 1 South Carolina, multiple sources tell The Ball Out.

McMiller, in a word, is extraordinary. Her lightning speed, Kyrie Irving-esque handles, and nuclear scoring ability make her easily one of the hottest prospects in the country. McMiller is especially notable for becoming the first high school athlete to land a Jordan Brand NIL deal! She has already shown that she has the potential to be a game-changer and will be an incredible player at the college level.


Historic recruit, No. 6 Kiyomi McMiller, visiting Lady Vols


I suppose she is looking at both programs tonight….
Jordan Brand Secures NIL Deal With 5-Star PG Kiyomi McMiller
“McMiller is currently undeclared. However, the South Carolina Gamecocks, a powerhouse program in NCAA women’s basketball, started recruiting her in 2022.”

Big opportunity tonight for the program to make her feel that TBA is the place to showcase….
 
I suppose she is looking at both programs tonight….
Jordan Brand Secures NIL Deal With 5-Star PG Kiyomi McMiller
“McMiller is currently undeclared. However, the South Carolina Gamecocks, a powerhouse program in NCAA women’s basketball, started recruiting her in 2022.”

Big opportunity tonight for the program to make her feel that TBA is the place to showcase….
The team coming out in Jordan kicks would be a nice touch… 😎
 
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Big-time Recruit visiting tonight. No. 6 recruit, nation’s most exciting guard, Kiyomi McMiller visiting Tennessee

The Tennessee Lady Vols will be hosting a very special recruit tonight as 5-star phenom — and No. 6 recruit by ESPN — Kiyomi McMiller will be visiting Rocky Top tonight in their game against No. 1 South Carolina, multiple sources tell The Ball Out.

McMiller, in a word, is extraordinary. Her lightning speed, Kyrie Irving-esque handles, and nuclear scoring ability make her easily one of the hottest prospects in the country. McMiller is especially notable for becoming the first high school athlete to land a Jordan Brand NIL deal! She has already shown that she has the potential to be a game-changer and will be an incredible player at the college level.


Historic recruit, No. 6 Kiyomi McMiller, visiting Lady Vols


Not a fan of her release or her size but we need a scorer so hell come on down at this point anything is better than no one.
 
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So, we are courting a 2024 point guard from New Jersey. Does that mean #1 2024 point guard from Tennessee Jaloni Cambridge isn't interested in Tennessee? I've read that repeatedly, but not from anyone with inside knowledge. Gosh I wish we'd make a real deep run in the NCAA tournament. It would help recruiting SO much.
 
So, we are courting a 2024 point guard from New Jersey. Does that mean #1 2024 point guard from Tennessee Jaloni Cambridge isn't interested in Tennessee? I've read that repeatedly, but not from anyone with inside knowledge. Gosh I wish we'd make a real deep run in the NCAA tournament. It would help recruiting SO much.

We are not getting #1 Jaloni Cambridge or #6 Kiyomi Mcmiller (90% she came to TN just to watch South Varolina) kinda kill 2 bird w one stone kinda thing
I may be wrong but I would bet at this point neither kid will have TN in their top 5 which will be coming out soon
From the looks of things and social media I don't see one kid in the 2024 class that we have offered that will commit to us
And if we don't make a BIG run in the tournament we'll just put a nail right in that coffin
 
So, we are courting a 2024 point guard from New Jersey. Does that mean #1 2024 point guard from Tennessee Jaloni Cambridge isn't interested in Tennessee? I've read that repeatedly, but not from anyone with inside knowledge. Gosh I wish we'd make a real deep run in the NCAA tournament. It would help recruiting SO much.
Many with “inside knowledge” has u just don’t listen
 
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