WBB recruiting for the future

[hawkshawn]

This is the first week the coaches have been able to get out on the road to watch AAU since the beginning of the shut down and the next few weeks will be pretty active on the AAU front. Abby Emmert Stamp is in Indianapolis for the USJN Premier Showcase and Raina Harmon is in Louisville for TFN's Run 4 Roses Classic. Jan Jensen traveled somewhere but I'm not sure where yet (maybe the Mill City Invitational in Minneapolis?) and I believe Lisa Bluder is in Des Moines for the Battle of the Best tourney. All Iowa Attack is hosting that one so someone on this forum might be able to confirm if she's there.

I'll try to get together a list of teams/prospects that coaches are/might be watching over the course of the week.

 

[hawkbuck70]

This is the first week the coaches have been able to get out on the road to watch AAU since the beginning of the shut down and the next few weeks will be pretty active on the AAU front. Abby Emmert Stamp is in Indianapolis for the USJN Premier Showcase and Raina Harmon is in Louisville for TFN's Run 4 Roses Classic. Jan Jensen traveled somewhere but I'm not sure where yet (maybe the Mill City Invitational in Minneapolis?) and I believe Lisa Bluder is in Des Moines for the Battle of the Best tourney. All Iowa Attack is hosting that one so someone on this forum might be able to confirm if she's there.

I'll try to get together a list of teams/prospects that coaches are/might be watching over the course of the week,

Lisa is in Des Moines. Geno too.

 

[crstuff]

Geno is in Iowa? Woah...

 

[hawkshawn]

This is the first week the coaches have been able to get out on the road to watch AAU since the beginning of the shut down and the next few weeks will be pretty active on the AAU front. Abby Emmert Stamp is in Indianapolis for the USJN Premier Showcase and Raina Harmon is in Louisville for TFN's Run 4 Roses Classic. Jan Jensen traveled somewhere but I'm not sure where yet (maybe the Mill City Invitational in Minneapolis?) and I believe Lisa Bluder is in Des Moines for the Battle of the Best tourney. All Iowa Attack is hosting that one so someone on this forum might be able to confirm if she's there.

I'll try to get together a list of teams/prospects that coaches are/might be watching over the course of the week.

Here’s what I’ve got so far. I’ll add to this post as the week goes on.

Battle of the Best (Lisa Bluder, Jan Jensen, Abby Emmert Stamp)

All Iowa Attack 11th EYBL (Bluder, Jensen, Stamp confirmed at games): Hannah Stuelke (2022 F - commit), Jada Gyamfi (2022 F -commit), Taylor McCabe (2022 G - commit), Sahara Williams (2023 F - offer), Halli Poock (2023 PG - no offer)

All Iowa Attack 10th EYBL (Bluder confirmed at game): Callie Levin (2024 G -offer), Journey Houston (2025 G/F - no offer)

Colorado Premier (Bluder confirmed at game): Maggie Mendelson (2023 6’5” C w/ offer - #21 in her class, probably a long shot since she is an elite volleyball prospect and apparently is looking into playing both in college), Marya Hudgins (2022 G - no offer)

Cy Select Wolves 2022: Audi Crooks (2023 C - offer)

Pure Prep Adidas 16U (Bluder and Jensen at game): Jenica Raine (2026 G - offer)

Elite Basketball (Nebraska) 9th (Bluder & Stamp confirmed at games. I think Jensen was too.): Britt Prince (2024 PG - offer)

Mill City Invitational (Jan Jensen)

Minnesota Fury 2024 UAA: Olivia Olson (2024 PG - offer)

Wisconsin Flight Elite U16 UAA: Julianna Ouimette (2023 G - no offer)

Run 4 The Roses Classic (Raina Harmon)

2022 Wolverinas (Illinois): Katy Eidle (2023 G - offer), Emily Fisher (2023 G - offer)

2022 Bradley Beal Elite: Saniah Tyler (2022 PG - offer)

The Cut - Louisville (Raina Harmon)

Sports City U (Ohio): Amiyah Reynolds (2023 F - offer)

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

Here’s what I’ve got so far. I’ll add to this post as the week goes on.

Battle of the Best (Lisa Bluder)

All Iowa Attack 11th EYBL: Hannah Stuelke (2022 F - commit), Jada Gyamfi (2022 F -commit), Taylor McCabe (2022 G - commit), Sahara Williams (2023 F - offer), Halli Poock (2023 PG - no offer)

All Iowa Attack 10th EYBL: Callie Levin (2024 G -offer), Journey Houston (2025 G/F - no offer)

Colorado Premier: Maggie Mendelson (2023 6’5” C w/ offer - #21 in her class, probably a long shot since she is an elite volleyball prospect and apparently is looking into playing both in college), Marya Hudgins (2022 G - no offer)

Pure Prep Adidas 16U: Jenica Lewis (2026 G - offer)

I'm going to guess Geno is there (at least in part) for Lewis. I believe she's considered one of the top players in her class, and in this YouTube video, she mentions here dream school is UConn.

 

[wneff]

Here’s what I’ve got so far. I’ll add to this post as the week goes on.

Battle of the Best (Lisa Bluder)

All Iowa Attack 11th EYBL: Hannah Stuelke (2022 F - commit), Jada Gyamfi (2022 F -commit), Taylor McCabe (2022 G - commit), Sahara Williams (2023 F - offer), Halli Poock (2023 PG - no offer)

All Iowa Attack 10th EYBL: Callie Levin (2024 G -offer), Journey Houston (2025 G/F - no offer)

Colorado Premier: Maggie Mendelson (2023 6’5” C w/ offer - #21 in her class, probably a long shot since she is an elite volleyball prospect and apparently is looking into playing both in college), Marya Hudgins (2022 G - no offer)

Cy Select Wolves 2022: Audi Crooks (2023 C - offer)

Pure Prep Adidas 16U: Jenica Lewis (2026 G - offer)

Elite Basketball (Nebraska) 9th: Britt Prince (2024 PG - offer)

Mill City Invitational (Jan Jensen)

Minnesota Fury 2024 UAA: Olivia Olson (2024 PG - offer)

Wisconsin Flight Elite U16 UAA - Julianna Ouimette (2023 G - no offer)

I saw highlights on Twitter of an AIA 11 game and didn't see McCabe anywhere. Is she playing this week?

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

I honestly don't get the Crooks interest. She appears to be a major project to me, whose only asset at this point is that she's huge. Yes, there's time to improve and such, but the speed of the college game will be WAY fast for her without major upgrade, and yes, you can't teach size. Admittedly only watching her at the state tournament, she was playing against seriously outclassed girls who simply couldn't compete with how big she is. Beyond that it wasn't very impressive.
Obviously coaches--ours included--see something that interests them, but I wonder how much of it is "she's a house; we'll figure something out".
Not trying to bash the kid and hope she works hard and can be successful, but just seems like a stretch to me.

 

[FrankBurns00]

Just keep Geno away from Britt Prince. Would love to see a backcourt of Prince and Olivia Olson! That would probably keep Lisa coaching for a few more years 😂

 

[huntermmm]

I'm going to guess Geno is there (at least in part) for Lewis. I believe she's considered one of the top players in her class, and in this YouTube video, she mentions here dream school is UConn.

The only thing we can do to get her is to pray to the basketball gods that she chooses to stay in her home state

 

[hawkshawn]

I saw highlights on Twitter of an AIA 11 game and didn't see McCabe anywhere. Is she playing this week?

Yeah, she is playing.

 

[huntermmm]

Just keep Geno away from Britt Prince. Would love to see a backcourt of Prince and Olivia Olson! That would probably keep Lisa coaching for a few more years 😂

Getting both Olivia Olson and Britt Prince would be fun. Who does everyone think we should try and get for Class of 2023?

 

[hawkshawn]

I honestly don't get the Crooks interest. She appears to be a major project to me, whose only asset at this point is that she's huge. Yes, there's time to improve and such, but the speed of the college game will be WAY fast for her without major upgrade, and yes, you can't teach size. Admittedly only watching her at the state tournament, she was playing against seriously outclassed girls who simply couldn't compete with how big she is. Beyond that it wasn't very impressive.
Obviously coaches--ours included--see something that interests them, but I wonder how much of it is "she's a house; we'll figure something out".
Not trying to bash the kid and hope she works hard and can be successful, but just seems like a stretch to me.

I had to find it but @jockos made a comparison to Brionna Jones from Maryland (Crooks has an offer from Maryland, FWIW). Incidentally, Jones just won the Eastern Conference player of the week in WNBA.

She does have a lot of work to do to get college ready, she knows that. I compare her game to former Maryland player & current WNBA player Brionna Jones. Very similar at the same stages of their playing careers & Brionna put in the work to get ready physically year after year. Brionna would just bury players under the basket, Gustafson even found herself there often when they played against her.

Molly Joyce is the PG for Garrigan I believe the other comment is asking about. She is a name to keep an eye on but right now probably not a high major player.

As an aside, doesn't anyone know if jockos is doing okay? They haven't posted on here in a while.

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

I had to find it but @jockos made a comparison to Brionna Jones from Maryland (Crooks has an offer from Maryland, FWIW). Incidentally, Jones just won the Eastern Conference player of the week in WNBA.

As an aside, doesn't anyone know if jockos is doing okay? They haven't posted on here in a while.

Hopefully for her sake she can do what needs to be done, and if she's a Hawk, she's successful as all-get-out. I don't know much about Ms Jones, but the comparison above seems accurate with what Ms Crooks would do.
Like I said, there are coaches all over who are interested so they see something, I just wonder if it's a willingness to take on the project because of the old "you can't teach size" adage. Just seems at this point, the college game would require the guards on her team to wait to start the offense until she got down the court.

 

[undersized_post]

Audi has incredible hands and touch around the rim. Rare.

 

[jockos]

I had to find it but @jockos made a comparison to Brionna Jones from Maryland (Crooks has an offer from Maryland, FWIW). Incidentally, Jones just won the Eastern Conference player of the week in WNBA.

As an aside, doesn't anyone know if jockos is doing okay? They haven't posted on here in a while.

I'm fine Hawkshawn. Had to have a medical procedure done but am starting to bounce back.

 

[BGHAWK]

At this point, I see no comparison between Crooks and Jones. That probably explains why I've never been asked to do any talent scouting for WB.

 

[kidnatural]

At this point, I see no comparison between Crooks and Jones. That probably explains why I've never been asked to do any talent scouting for WB.

I think a better comparison would be Danielle Adams from Texas A&M but Crooks is two inches taller. Adams was a first team All-American.

 

[cyberhawk]

I'm going to guess Geno is there (at least in part) for Lewis. I believe she's considered one of the top players in her class, and in this YouTube video, she mentions here dream school is UConn.

Jenica Lewis and Sarah Rambus highlight video…

 

[cyberhawk]

Callie Levine etal…

 

[hawkshawn]

Callie Levine etal…

View embedded media

I believe #1 is Peyton McCabe, Taylor McCabe’s little sister. She’s in the class of 2024 and just got an offer from Drake. I’m not sure if Iowa is involved at this point but she can really shoot it. It may depend on how tall she ends up getting.

 

[wneff]

Yeah, she is playing.

She had plenty of highlights in this game.

 

[DanHawkPella]

Audi has incredible hands and touch around the rim. Rare.

This. Extremely good hands and touch around the rim and hard to keep her from getting there. Open court transition a concern but a half court beast.

Had a daughter play for CY Select and another play against Audi, and my fellow AAU coach has a daughter in CY and has seen her a lot.

 

[JEDN]

I still don’t totally understand why Halli Poock doesn’t have major offers, although one poster suggested she has attitude issues. Also Sahara Williams from Waterloo (No. 32) looks like a big time player.

 

[Marble Rock Hawk]

Here’s what I’ve got so far. I’ll add to this post as the week goes on.

Battle of the Best (Lisa Bluder)

All Iowa Attack 11th EYBL (Bluder confirmed at game): Hannah Stuelke (2022 F - commit), Jada Gyamfi (2022 F -commit), Taylor McCabe (2022 G - commit), Sahara Williams (2023 F - offer), Halli Poock (2023 PG - no offer)

All Iowa Attack 10th EYBL (Bluder confirmed at game): Callie Levin (2024 G -offer), Journey Houston (2025 G/F - no offer)

Colorado Premier (Bluder confirmed at game): Maggie Mendelson (2023 6’5” C w/ offer - #21 in her class, probably a long shot since she is an elite volleyball prospect and apparently is looking into playing both in college), Marya Hudgins (2022 G - no offer)

Cy Select Wolves 2022: Audi Crooks (2023 C - offer)

Pure Prep Adidas 16U: Jenica Lewis (2026 G - offer)

Elite Basketball (Nebraska) 9th: Britt Prince (2024 PG - offer)

Mill City Invitational (Jan Jensen)

Minnesota Fury 2024 UAA: Olivia Olson (2024 PG - offer)

Wisconsin Flight Elite U16 UAA - Julianna Ouimette (2023 G - no offer)

The All Iowa Attack 11th team will be playing in the Nike Tournament of Champions in Chicago from July 10th-12th. Do we know which, if any, Iowa coaches will be in attendance?

 

[91hawki]

I honestly don't get the Crooks interest. She appears to be a major project to me, whose only asset at this point is that she's huge. Yes, there's time to improve and such, but the speed of the college game will be WAY fast for her without major upgrade, and yes, you can't teach size. Admittedly only watching her at the state tournament, she was playing against seriously outclassed girls who simply couldn't compete with how big she is. Beyond that it wasn't very impressive.
Obviously coaches--ours included--see something that interests them, but I wonder how much of it is "she's a house; we'll figure something out".
Not trying to bash the kid and hope she works hard and can be successful, but just seems like a stretch to me.

I disagree

Super soft touch and plays very nimble for her size

Why wouldn’t we want a 6’3 post who will surely get stronger and offer a physical presence in the pist

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

I disagree

Super soft touch and plays very nimble for her size

Why wouldn’t we want a 6’3 post who will surely get stronger and offer a physical presence in the pist

I haven't watched enough of Crooks to have a fully formed opinion on her game, but Monika's game is an example of why tremendous skill in one area doesn't necessarily make a player can't-miss.

Monika is a great scoring post. She's one of the best players in the country at scoring around the low block. She also has a nice jump shot to complement her post skills. But she isn't a good rebounder (last year was an improvement, but she still isn't good), and she's a bad defender. Having a 5 that is a bad defender makes it really hard to have a good team defense, no matter the scheme.

For those more familiar with her game, I'd love to hear your thoughts about: 1) Crooks' ability to run the floor. Can she fit into our up-tempo style or would we have to change our style some when she's on the floor? 2) Will she be able to rebound well at the college level? Size can be a big help, but what about her positioning? Does she aggressively pursue the ball or rely on her size to grab boards? And perhaps most importantly: 3) How does she look on defense? Is she mobile enough to protect the rim? Can she matchup well enough with athletic 5s?

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

I haven't watched enough of Crooks to have a fully formed opinion on her game, but Monika's game is an example of why tremendous skill in one area doesn't necessarily make a player can't-miss.

Monika is a great scoring post. She's one of the best players in the country at scoring around the low block. She also has a nice jump shot to complement her post skills. But she isn't a good rebounder (last year was an improvement, but she still isn't good), and she's a bad defender. Having a 5 that is a bad defender makes it really hard to have a good team defense, no matter the scheme.

For those more familiar with her game, I'd love to hear your thoughts about: 1) Crooks' ability to run the floor. Can she fit into our up-tempo style or would we have to change our style some when she's on the floor? 2) Will she be able to rebound well at the college level? Size can be a big help, but what about her positioning? Does she aggressively pursue the ball or rely on her size to grab boards? And perhaps most importantly: 3) How does she look on defense? Is she mobile enough to protect the rim? Can she matchup well enough with athletic 5s?

All of that last paragraph is exactly what my 'concern' would be. She does have great touch around the rim, but after that.....
There is a lot of time for the work to be put in, and like I said, I admit many coaches are interested so they see the potential. But we've seen, plenty, what athleticism in the post can do as you point out, and I think your third point would be a major issue. JMHO

 

[fish1hawk]

Even with that Monica is too good and makes us better.

 

[LinusPF]

All of that last paragraph is exactly what my 'concern' would be. She does have great touch around the rim, but after that.....
There is a lot of time for the work to be put in, and like I said, I admit many coaches are interested so they see the potential. But we've seen, plenty, what athleticism in the post can do as you point out, and I think your third point would be a major issue. JMHO

In Jan Jensen I trust.

 

[huntermmm]

 

[huntermmm]

 

[hawkshawn]

The Tournament of Champions AAU event started in Chicago today. Bluder was watching the Gym Rats 17U from Indiana, I'm assuming to watch 2023 G Ashlynn Shade (ESPN's #5 overall w/ offer) and 2024 G Chloe Spreen (ESPN's #21 overall).

Bluder was on hand to watch the All Iowa Attack 11th EYBL Elite team on Sunday afternoon. That team obviously has the 3 2022 commits (Hannah Stuelke, Jada Gyamfi, and Taylor McCabe) as well as Sahara Williams (2023 F - offer) and Hali Poock (2023 PG - no offer)

Jan Jensen is also in Chicago and was watching 2023 G Katy Eidle (w/ offer) and the Wolverinas (Illinois). Bluder also caught the Wolverinas 2nd game. Bluder and Jensen were both at their game Sunday morning.

Jenson was also watching All Iowa Attack 10th EYBL Elite, which has Callie Levin (2024 G - offer), Journey Houston (2025 G/F - no offer), and Aili Tanke (2024 G - no offer). Bluder was at their 2nd game as well as their Sunday afternoon game with Raina Harmon.

Both Jensen and Stamp caught different North Tartan 13s Nike games, watching Maddyn Greenway (2026 - no offer although I’m guessing it’s only a matter of time)

Abby Stamp was there as well watching Cy Select and Audi Crooks (2023 C - offer)

The Girls Under Armor Association (GUAA) has their 2nd session in Indianapolis as well. Raina Harmon was there watching Olivia Olson (2024 G - offer) and the Minnesota Fury 2024 team.

Harmon also watched Kennise Johnson-Etienne (2023 PG - offer) and Example Sports Elite 2023 (IL)

I'll try to add to this post as I'm able to confirm more.

 

[huntermmm]

The headlines are an over-exaggeration of both players but they are some nice highlights

 

[trohrbeck]

Poock is skilled but very small. Has zero interest in guarding anyone at all…ever. Hate to call a kid lazy but indifferent would be the nicest way to describe her effort on defense. Seems like a Valley type kid to me.
Britt Prince is very good. Her teammate’s mother is the coach at Nebraska. If not a blue blood, Nebraska is the most likely landing spot. Although, I’d be shocked if she doesn’t end up at Stanford, UCONN, Maryland, etc.

 

[hawkbuck70]

The Tournament of Champions AAU event started in Chicago today. Bluder was watching the Gym Rats 17U from Indiana, I'm assuming to watch 2023 G Ashlynn Shade (ESPN's #5 overall w/ offer) and 2024 G Chloe Spreen (ESPN's #21 overall).

Bluder was on hand to watch the All Iowa Attack 11th EYBL Elite team on Sunday afternoon. That team obviously has the 3 2022 commits (Hannah Stuelke, Jada Gyamfi, and Taylor McCabe) as well as Sahara Williams (2023 F - offer) and Hali Poock (2023 PG - no offer)

Jan Jensen is also in Chicago and was watching 2023 G Katy Eidle (w/ offer) and the Wolverinas (Illinois). Bluder also caught the Wolverinas 2nd game. Bluder and Jensen were both at their game Sunday morning.

Jenson was also watching All Iowa Attack 10th EYBL Elite, which has Callie Levin (2024 G - offer), Journey Houston (2025 G/F - no offer), and Aili Tanke (2024 G - no offer). Bluder was at their 2nd game as well as their Sunday afternoon game with Raina Harmon.

Both Jensen and Stamp caught different North Tartan 13s Nike games, watching Maddyn Greenway (2026 - no offer although I’m guessing it’s only a matter of time)

Abby Stamp was there as well watching Cy Select and Audi Crooks (2023 C - offer)

The Girls Under Armor Association (GUAA) has their 2nd session in Indianapolis as well. Raina Harmon was there watching Olivia Olson (2024 G - offer) and the Minnesota Fury 2024 team.

Harmon also watched Kennise Johnson-Etienne (2023 PG - offer) and Example Sports Elite 2023 (IL)

I'll try to add to this post as I'm able to confirm more.

I hear 2024 Aili Tanke of All Iowa Attack 10th grade EYBL now has offer.

 

[nu2u]

Hopefully for her sake she can do what needs to be done, and if she's a Hawk, she's successful as all-get-out. I don't know much about Ms Jones, but the comparison above seems accurate with what Ms Crooks would do.
Like I said, there are coaches all over who are interested so they see something, I just wonder if it's a willingness to take on the project because of the old "you can't teach size" adage. Just seems at this point, the college game would require the guards on her team to wait to start the offense until she got down the court.

Crooks didn't appear to run way too slow in the film that I watched. Yeah, she is not going to win sprints in transition but there is potential to improve with conditioning. Garza improved significantly from freshman to upperclassman.

She is also a perfect candidate for the rec league sandbag play - instead of getting back to play defense ....not too far, short of half court.... when the opponent misses a shot your rebounding teammate can hurl a full court pass to you for an uncontested layup - good for 3 or 4 easy basket per game. Works every time!

 

[huntermmm]

I hear 2024 Aili Tanke of All Iowa Attack 10th grade EYBL now has offer.

 

[JEDN]

It is my understanding we are in great shape with Callie L. but know nothing about our status with Tanke.

 

[crstuff]

It is my understanding we are in great shape with Callie L. but know nothing about our status with Tanke.

Callie and Tanke are similar enough players. They're not likely to end up at the same school, agreeing to fight for the same minutes. Tanke to ISU...

 

[trohrbeck]

Tanke has been going to ISU games for the past couple years so I think she ends up there when/if offered. Levin is a really nice player. If given the choice between the two I'd take Tanke all day and twice on Sunday. Big, physical, and used to be a PG. Really good passer and improving as a shooter. Relentless work ethic from I've been told. Levin is a better shooter as it stands currently but I think Tanke gets teammates involved better. I've seen both of them play many times over the past few summers. And don't get me wrong, Levin is certainly insanely talented and worthy of the Iowa offer. She is legit. Just personal preference.