2025 Recruiting

[Volfan2012]

 

[glv98]

Speaks to the scary increasing power of the SEC that 4 of Chavez's top 6 are in the conference. Look at Oklahoma elbowing into big time recruiting. Mid pack SEC ain't going to be what it used to be.

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Not sure who this poster is and who they speak for, but yes obviously,tall wings and athletic bigs are the major need to finish the build out of this team for the future. I'm sure it will be the big portal push next spring.

 

[Hooper22]

Speaks to the scary increasing power of the SEC that 4 of Chavez's top 6 are in the conference. Look at Oklahoma elbowing into big time recruiting. Mid pack SEC ain't going to be what it used to be.


Not sure who this poster is and who they speak for, but yes obviously,tall wings and athletic bigs are the major need to finish the build out of this team for the future. I'm sure it will be the big portal push next spring.

The twins father.

 

[chuckiepoo]

The twins father.

Thank you for confirming. I’d guess that may be a valuable follow. We’ll see.

 

[37620VOL]

Candace Parker.

That’s it, she’s the last one. We haven’t had a truly good forward on BOTH ends since Candace.

I would say Glory Johnson, right after Candace chronologically. She was a #4 pick and ALL-SEC First Team x 2.

 

[madtownvol]

I would say Glory Johnson, right after Candace chronologically. She was a #4 pick and ALL-SEC First Team x 2.

Rickea wasn't chopped chicken live either.

 

[37620VOL]

Rickea wasn't chopped chicken live either.

Never thought of her as a 4, honestly; although an argument could be made that Puckett was the 3 and Jackson was the 4 in the starting lineup. When I think of 4s from last year it would be Striplin and Hollingshead. Key was the only true 5.

 

[VolBall09]

I assume for Chavez the draw is mostly proximity to home?

I thought she was from AZ for some reason. Did not realize she was a Lubbock local.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

New poster here. A former talent and scout consultant across sports. A writer as well. I live near the Memphis area. A few things caught my attention in this thread. This is the first thought. Coach Caldwell could not have imagined signing better fits to her system than Mia and Mya Pauldo. Their huge popularity off the court matches their skills. Two time state champions and elite prospects on a Top-10 Nationally Ranked team. I watched four of their victories in high school over five star guards in the 2023 - 2024 classes who signed with a pair of SEC & ACC schools. Think Allen Iverson, Kyrie, Fair, or Hidalgo as comparisons to their style of play. The way they train and their access to the best resources such as renowned trainers of pro athletes will also help them transition to the SEC. Tennessee landed a steal with getting both as a package deal.

 

[37620VOL]

@KnoxLikeUs As Hildalgo is my favorite non-LV player, that is music to my ears!

 

[DarkPhoenix]

@KnoxLikeUs As Hildalgo is my favorite non-LV player, that is music to my ears!

They are nothing like Hildalgo, and that’s all I’ll say.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

@KnoxLikeUs As Hildalgo is my favorite non-LV player, that is music to my ears!

I’ve seen a lot of high school sports and the comparison is valid. Mia has been ranked as low as #7 on Hoopgurlz. Hidalgo was #5. Mia is closer to #7 than her current #13 ranking. Mya injuries have caused her ranking to fall out of the Top 25. Hannah was a lot thinner in HS compared to her freshman year of college at ND. Getting stronger and adding some muscle to her frame led to a great freshman season. Ball handling, passing, and shooting those similarities jump out on film between Hidalgo and the Pauldo twins. Mia and Mya have played against and beat four five star guards already in high school. They will compete in the Overtime Select league in August showcasing teams with the top prospects in high school. Three years playing against the best and enduring great success can not be ignored. I believe the key is how much they train and use their resources prior to their freshman season at Tennessee. They are special.

 

[CannonVol80]

When considering the ranking services, especially ESPN, I prefer to look at where a player is at their respective/designated position. In the Pauldo twins case, Mia is the 3d ranked point guard and Mya is the 10th (despite being 49th overall). Not bad getting two top 10 PGs in one class, in my opinion.

Jim
P.S. On Prospects Nation, they are the 3d and 8th ranked PGs respectively.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Mia is one of the best college prospects in her class regardless of position. People on the East Coast who I connect with and listen to their basketball analysis know what high level basketball skills look like. These young ballers are cut from the Iverson, Kyrie, Hidalgo, Zeigler, and Fair mold. Mya has been injured two straight offseasons so it has impacted her rankings. When healthy she plays with a lot of confidence and poise. Mia should be in the top 10 where she has been during two separate evaluation periods as the #7 & #8 overall player on Hoopgurlz Top 100. If they capitalize off of the resources and NIL exposure to manage their training regimen during this final year of high school before getting on campus at Tennessee they can bring a new element to Tennessee and the SEC

 

[LV renaissance]

With Chavez still considering Texas Tech but not us, it may not just be location. That Texas Gold is changing things in the NIL era for the Texas schools. News just out that TT just got the softball player of the year Canady from Stanford for 1.2 million dollars. I will sign off before making a TT joke.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

The other part of the conversation on this thread that caught my attention is the true center discussion. How many teams in D1 womens college basketball feature a good true center? Without hesitation I can only think of four teams Iowa State, Kansas State, UCLA, and Oklahoma. Two of those players are around 6’3 or 6’4. I believe Tennessee will be just fine with their natural 4s at 6’4 and 6’5 playing the 5 position in the new system on both ends of the floor. The depth added through the portal is SEC caliber talent.

 

[volbeast33]

With Chavez still considering Texas Tech but not us, it may not just be location. That Texas Gold is changing things in the NIL era for the Texas schools. News just out that TT just got the softball player of the year Canady from Stanford for 1.2 million dollars. I will sign off before making a TT joke.

I love womens softball but 1.2 million dollars…. that seems like a waste of resources.

 

[glv98]

I believe Tennessee will be just fine with their natural 4s at 6’4 and 6’5 playing the 5 position in the new system on both ends of the floor.

It's not really a "true center" I'm worried about. I realize how rare a mobile 6'5' or 6"6" is. I agree the natural 6"4"s and 6" 5"s are going to be asked to rebound and defend opposing posts. My worry is we have exactly 2 of them, Jill and Spearman. Then there's a couple of 6"2"s and that's it. After this season we'll be down to only one 6"4, one 6"2", and everyone else on the team 6"0 or under. They have to pick up some height in the portal.

 

[glv98]

Rickea wasn't chopped chicken live either.

Never thought of her as a 4, honestly; although an argument could be made that Puckett was the 3 and Jackson was the 4 in the starting lineup. When I think of 4s from last year it would be Striplin and Hollingshead. Key was the only true 5.

She thinks of herself as a 4. Curt Miller, and Kellie Harper, think she's a 3. https://www.reddit.com/r/wnba/comme...=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
Her future w the Sparks is definitely at 3 since they have Brink, Hamby, and Stevens. Which with a good point guard, could be a really nice W team.

Sorry for the off topic, it's summer so it's slow.

 

[chuckiepoo]

She thinks of herself as a 4. Curt Miller, and Kellie Harper, think she's a 3. https://www.reddit.com/r/wnba/comme...=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
Her future w the Sparks is definitely at 3 since they have Brink, Hamby, and Stevens. Which with a good point guard, could be a really nice W team.

Sorry for the off topic, it's summer so it's slow.

Not off topic. Discussing future roster needs is valid.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

It's not really a "true center" I'm worried about. I realize how rare a mobile 6'5' or 6"6" is. I agree the natural 6"4"s and 6" 5"s are going to be asked to rebound and defend opposing posts. My worry is we have exactly 2 of them, Jill and Spearman. Then there's a couple of 6"2"s and that's it. After this season we'll be down to only one 6"4, one 6"2", and everyone else on the team 6"0 or under. They have to pick up some height in the portal.

I get your point. You are not wrong in the general sense yet I feel it would apply if this was men’s basketball but does not with women’s basketball. The Lady Vols have overall size. Some of those players you refer to as 6’2 or under have a good build. Look at the team practice picture from today. This team appears to be in formidable shape. Nobody is moving them easily at all. See the Puckett vs Kitts matchup this past season. I believe the roster is more balanced and certainly does not lack strength or length with the upgrades through the portal. Both Alyssa Latham and Favor Ayodele played the 4 and 5 in the ACC in a key role. Against a common opponent that Tennessee faced in Notre Dame both Latham and Ayodele recorded a double double. Another factor to consider, last season Jasmine Powell was the Lady Vols 2nd or 3rd best rebounder behind Rickea and Sara. Samara Spencer averages identical rebounding numbers as Powell while scoring double figures. The other four portal additions are outstanding rebounders in their respective positions. Every position on this team has depth now. Can’t look one year ahead in terms of needs on the roster with the portal, international, and now high school recruiting as a factor

 

[ttharp]

I get your point. You are not wrong in the general sense yet I feel it would apply if this was men’s basketball but does not with women’s basketball. The Lady Vols have overall size. Some of those players you refer to as 6’2 or under have a good build. Look at the team practice picture from today. This team appears to be in formidable shape. Nobody is moving them easily at all. See the Puckett vs Kitts matchup this past season. I believe the roster is more balanced and certainly does not lack strength or length with the upgrades through the portal. Both Alyssa Latham and Favor Ayodele played the 4 and 5 in the ACC in a key role. Against a common opponent that Tennessee faced in Notre Dame both Latham and Ayodele recorded a double double. Another factor to consider, last season Jasmine Powell was the Lady Vols 2nd or 3rd best rebounder behind Rickea and Sara. Samara Spencer averages identical rebounding numbers as Powell while scoring double figures. The other four portal additions are outstanding rebounders in their respective positions. Every position on this team has depth now. Can’t look one year ahead in terms of needs on the roster with the portal, international, and now high school recruiting as a factor

All of this.

Also, whenever Tamari Key (at 6’6) was healthy, she still wasn’t the teams best rebounder. Jordan Horston was. In the 21-22 season, for example, TK averaged a career high 8.1 rebounds. JH averaged a team best 9.4. Alexus Dye, who is 6’0, averaged 7.7.

The year before that, Rennia Davis was the best rebounder statistically.

TK’s greatest contribution was always rim protection. I think we have players who can fill that. We seem to have better perimeter defenders, which won’t put all the pressure on Zee and Jill to cover their mistakes. And I’m betting we’ll have better COACHING on that end

I’ll take an athletic, high motor 6-2-6-3 player over a taller player without one every day of the week.

 

[glv98]

I’ll take an athletic, high motor 6-2-6-3 player over a taller player without one every day of the week.

The secret to success is having taller players with the skills and motor. Not settling for either/or. I realize how hard those players are to find and I’m sure they’re looking hard. Still think that’s the missing element, esp after this year.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

All of this.

Also, whenever Tamari Key (at 6’6) was healthy, she still wasn’t the teams best rebounder. Jordan Horston was. In the 21-22 season, for example, TK averaged a career high 8.1 rebounds. JH averaged a team best 9.4. Alexus Dye, who is 6’0, averaged 7.7.

The year before that, Rennia Davis was the best rebounder statistically.

TK’s greatest contribution was always rim protection. I think we have players who can fill that. We seem to have better perimeter defenders, which won’t put all the pressure on Zee and Jill to cover their mistakes. And I’m betting we’ll have better COACHING on that end

I’ll take an athletic, high motor 6-2-6-3 player over a taller player without one every day of the week.

Good analysis right here. That type of athleticism is exactly the ability new players like Latham, Whitehorn, Cooper, and Spearman can match on the boards from the big guard, forward, and center positions. Jillian fits this new system as well and gets a fresh start. Favor Ayodele also is an underrated pickup. Can run and jump. I see players coming off the bench deeper in the rotation to eliminate a drop off in athleticism. Coach Caldwell and her staff recruited exceptionally well from the portal. They did not settle and landed five players that played in a major conference as starters that fit the new system. This was followed up by signing two elite high school prospects. It is not about height or lack thereof. Next year’s current roster projections of a lack of height will be obsolete by April. Meanwhile there is a buzz around this season. I am excited to watch them play, they built a complete team when people in sports today focus solely on big names. Think 2023-2024 Oregon State and NC State. Lady Vols will shock a lot of people.

 

[brittannica]