Is this a commit (Finley Chastain)

[Majors]

Sound like potentially a really good get. Is this the youngest player to ever commit? Was Justine like 16? I noticed Justine in the pics of this kid's visit, nice move. Congratulations. However . . .

Most of the time I don't even open threads regarding recruiting players this young. It feels icky to even be keeping up with a 14 yr old! I realize its where recruiting is and like NIL, not going to change. In fact, I imagine outstanding 10 yr olds in the Upwards program will be getting letters of interest before this is over. LOL I probably feel this way bc I might be dead by the time she gets here, if she eventually gets here.

What does this actually mean? Can others still contact and recruit her? Can either side change their minds at will? When can she actually sign?

Most of all, while this is great, am I correct that as of right now, our next new player coming in is Brooks in 2 yrs? Call me nega, but to me the recruiting that deserves 3 threads is something that helps us in 4 months, not four years. I realize we can't recruit the portal before the portal happens, but we MUST bring in help immediately. I'm sure the staff is working hard on this at the same time working on the rather distant future.

Yes, she is still on the open market for others to recruit her/outbid and always a verbal is non-binding by both parties. She cannot sign until her SR year of High School.

 

[volnationnj]

It doesn't hurt the athlete either...

When a young girl commits to a nationally known program like TN they innately become a LVFL long before they arrive. It gives them comfort to know where that their work has been acknowledged and gives them added incentive to continue to grow.

I had many such young commits in Atlanta and even now...So I speak from experience not assumption

You coached 8th graders who committed to division 1 teams while still in 8th grade ?

 

[th2421]

We get our first #1 recruit since Mercedes Russell from the HS class of 2013 (and sure, the ratings will evolve over the next four years), and people still find a dozen ways to complain.

 

[Coach Jumper]

You coached 8th graders who committed to division 1 teams while still in 8th grade ?

verbals, yes

I had a 14U GA Pistol team in Atl with two girls over 6'2...Colleges know their not going to shrink and seek them out early

 

[glv98]

We get our first #1 recruit since Mercedes Russell from the HS class of 2013 (and sure, the ratings will evolve over the next four years), and people still find a dozen ways to complain.

I'm not complaining, just trying to understand it for what it is and put it into context. Have we really "got" a "#1 recruit?".

Everyone is certainly free to celebrate how they like. It just doesn't help me with my worry over next season at all.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

We get our first #1 recruit since Mercedes Russell from the HS class of 2013 (and sure, the ratings will evolve over the next four years), and people still find a dozen ways to complain.

Agree. Finley is already recognized as a top elite recruit, and was being recruited by many other Coaches. If she had chosen a different Coach and school, some here would have said that Coach is really on the ball. I’m thrilled she chose Kellie and the Lady Vols!

 

[Darth_Vol]

I'm not complaining, just trying to understand it for what it is and put it into context. Have we really "got" a "#1 recruit?".

Everyone is certainly free to celebrate how they like. It just doesn't help me with my worry over next season at all.

That's where I'm at. I mean it's great, but four years is an eternity in recruiting. A lot could be different by 2027, both with Chastain and this program.

And no, to my recollection I'm pretty sure Pat never took a commitment from an 8th grader...

 

[glv98]

That's where I'm at. I mean it's great, but four years is an eternity in recruiting. A lot could be different by 2027, both with Chastain and this program.

And no, to my recollection I'm pretty sure Pat never took a commitment from an 8th grader...

Yeah I figured Pat didn't, it wasn't a thing back then. Didn't know if Holly ever did.

I do agree that if anyone else had gotten this comitt we would have accused our staff of sleeping on it. It's a very good accomplishment. I just think there's way more pressing priorities, and I hope they do as well in the near term.

Not only is 4 yrs an eternity in recruiting, it's an eternity in the life of a 14 yr old. Ya'll ever have one of those?

 

[Majors]

Yeah I figured Pat didn't, it wasn't a thing back then. Didn't know if Holly ever did.

I do agree that if anyone else had gotten this comitt we would have accused our staff of sleeping on it. It's a very good accomplishment. I just think there's way more pressing priorities, and I hope they do as well in the near term.

Not only is 4 yrs an eternity in recruiting, it's an eternity in the life of a 14 yr old. Ya'll ever have one of those?

If LSU or UConn got this kid, more than likely this site would mock the program and say how an 8th grader does not need offers.

 

[glv98]

If LSU or UConn got this kid, more than likely this site would mock the program and say how an 8th grader does not need offers.

An 8th grader doesn't need offers, and a high school recruit does not need thousands in NIL money before ever playing a game. Things are wildly out of control and you wonder where its all headed. But I guess it is what it is.

 

[Majors]

An 8th grader doesn't need offers, and a high school recruit does not need thousands in NIL money before ever playing a game. Things are wildly out of control and you wonder where its all headed. But I guess it is what it is.

The reason why softball has their rule in place. To protect the kid and the integrity of the recruiting process. All cascaded when Florida offered a 6th grader and a 7th grader and got commitments. The 6th grader is now trying to find a home as 2024 recruit as it has not been an easy journey on and off the field since. The 7th grader signed last November with Florida (mom ran track at Florida and dad is Jayson Williams aka White Chocolate PG for Florida).

 

[PRG]

I'm not complaining, just trying to understand it for what it is and put it into context. Have we really "got" a "#1 recruit?".

Everyone is certainly free to celebrate how they like. It just doesn't help me with my worry over next season at all.

Most posters know I follow recruiting pretty closely ….. The further out (years) you go the less reliable the rankings will be! The reasons are obvious. However, a recruit being mentioned early is a GOOD INDICATOR of future potential!

A good example is Kamilla Karadosa for South Carolina! Early on her teammates were getting more recognition and she was never mentioned until her Sophomore summer going into her junior year ? I believe I am right about this ? But she finished being #5 , #6 , ranked player! Keep in mind …. She was always 6’6” post and we had Mercedes but she was doing stupid things that Kamilla’s skill level was better than Mercedes ! Like keeping the rebound high and not bringing the ball down so the Munchkins could take it away from you …,,

Now for this newest verbal….. . Her being mentioned as a #1 in her class (ALREADY).
Will she end up the top recruit for 2027 ? I wonder about Hassell in Clarksville? At 6’3” and playing up in her high school team for the THIRD YEAR playing high school ball…. Already scoring over a thousand points and she is not even in High School yet !!!! MOST PLAYERS NEVER REACH THIS RECORD! Surely this recruit will move into a top ten in this same class as our recruits verbal As for our verbal recruit ….. She may not end up as THE NUMBER ONE in her class , but there is a history of most recruits not falling out of a top ten recruit! JMO

THIS IS A GOOD VERBAL….: Can we keep her like Justine? Time will tell

 

[Darth_Vol]

If LSU or UConn got this kid, more than likely this site would mock the program and say how an 8th grader does not need offers.

This is 100% accurate. Not every poster, but I've definitely seen other coaches derided here for this exact situation...

 

[GLRedux]

That's where I'm at. I mean it's great, but four years is an eternity in recruiting. A lot could be different by 2027, both with Chastain and this program.

And no, to my recollection I'm pretty sure Pat never took a commitment from an 8th grader...

In 2005 I believe Pat took a commitment from point guard Lauren Avant when she was 14. Avant transferred before her sophomore season to Rhodes College, a division III school in her hometown of Memphis. Pat vowed to never take a commitment from another player that young and she never did.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I listened to VolBros most recent edition. They were quoting scouts who say this young lady is a generational talent, not just a #1 for the year, but maybe the best recruit in 20 years.

 

[Voltopia]

This is social media today, folks. Young people can take to the internet as easily as anyone of any age, and that gives them the ability to speak far louder than they could in the past.

All that happened was this girl got an offer or some kind of understanding (it would seem), and was excited and posted on her Instagram to say she was going to go to Tennessee, and then some news sports outlet made a story about it on their website. And ... what ... this is bad? Is it? I don't think it is. I don't think the rules are the same anymore. And I think this kid, who everyone believes has amazing potential and talent, is apparently excited by the idea of playing at Tennessee. I for one am THRILLED.

If I were a middle school basketball player and Rick Barnes offered me a scholarship, you can bet my butt would be all over social media telling people I was going to be a Vol. Because I would be excited to be a Vol. Just like this young girl is apparently excited to be a Vol. I sure can relate to that feeling. It's a long way away, things can easily change, but so what? More of that. More kids who can change the game, talking or thinking about Tennessee. MORE, I SAY. And I also say we could do well to just SHOW SOME LOVE BACK and keep on trucking.

 

[Amb3096]

Sounds like potentially a really good get. Is this the youngest player to ever commit? Was Justine like 16? I noticed Justine in the pics of this kid's visit, nice move. Congratulations. However . . .

Most of the time I don't even open threads regarding recruiting players this young. It feels icky to even be keeping up with a 14 yr old! I realize its where recruiting is and like NIL, not going to change. In fact, I imagine outstanding 10 yr olds in the Upwards program will be getting letters of interest before this is over. LOL I probably feel this way bc I might be dead by the time she gets here, if she eventually gets here.

What does this actually mean? Can others still contact and recruit her? Can either side change their minds at will? When can she actually sign?

Most of all, while this is great, am I correct that as of right now, our next new player coming in is Brooks in 2 yrs? Call me nega, but to me the recruiting that deserves 3 threads is something that helps us in 4 months, not four years. I realize we can't recruit the portal before the portal happens, but we MUST bring in help immediately. I'm sure the staff is working hard on this at the same time working on the rather distant future.

Lauren Avant committed when she was very young too. Maybe 8th or 9th grade. Such a shame about her injuries.

 

[Voltopia]

Lauren Avant committed when she was very young too. Maybe 8th or 9th grade. Such a shame about her injuries.

Avant. McMahon. Clement just before the title game. Tennessee's fortunes with point guards has been ... well ... it's tough thinking about what could have been.

 

[madtownvol]

I'm not complaining, just trying to understand it for what it is and put it into context. Have we really "got" a "#1 recruit?".

Everyone is certainly free to celebrate how they like. It just doesn't help me with my worry over next season at all.

There is a history of very early verbal commits here and elsewhere. I think Sade Wiley-Gatewood had also been a very early commit. But we are several years away before Finley C. can sign a binding letter of intent. On her side, it makes life easy if she wants to avoid the recruiting madness down stream (and does not have second thoughts). I don't know how binding these verbals are on Tennessee. If it assures her a slot, regardless of what happens in the next few years (injuries etc), I can understand why a player might make the risk reducing hedge of an early commit.

I am not sure if these verbals have any real advantage for the LVs. Does it keep other programs from contacting her?

 

[glv98]

I am not sure if these verbals have any real advantage for the LVs. Does it keep other programs from contacting her

I asked that upthread and apparently she can still be recruited by others if she allows and either side can change their mind any time. So basically it's what both sides intend at this point. I guess mostly publicity? Nothing binding.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

If LSU or UConn got this kid, more than likely this site would mock the program and say how an 8th grader does not need offers.

Would they though? If this kid is as special as multiple sources are saying would we be mocking them? Times are changing and people better keep up or get left behind....

I wonder if people would laughed at any of those schools if Parker or Taurasi had committed that early? This is a serious question and not snark

 

[Majors]

Would they though? If this kid is as special as multiple sources are saying would we be mocking them? Times are changing and people better keep up or get left behind....

I wonder if people would laughed at any of those schools if Parker or Taurasi had committed that early? This is a serious question and not snark

Yes, because they are in 8th grade. And times aren’t changing, offers have been going out for a long time in all sports.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Yes, because they are in 8th grade. And times aren’t changing, offers have been going out for a long time in all sports.

It wasn’t that long ago there was a discussion regarding an understanding that Lailaa has a commitable offer by birth right.

 

[Lucy]

Thats great for the kid to be rewarded. She’s in 8th grade, no offers need to go out to kids in middle school in any sport.

Too early, too late, too hot, too cold! Is your porridge ever right!?!

 

[chuckiepoo]

Too early, too late, too hot, too cold! Is your porridge ever right!?!

…baby bear !