2020 Point Guard committed to Oregon

There Is An Odd, Interesting Symmetry to ND, Oregon and....

..the 2020 Recruiting Class.

First, while Oregon is often known as the Sabrina Ionescu show, Maite Cazorla often brought the ball up and Ionescu would move to off guard. This is somewhat similar to ND's approach last year when Marina, Jackie and Arike (primarily on the break) would bring the ball upcourt.

As such, Oregon is looking for ball-handling guards. PaoPao is certainly a good one, but Caitlin Clark, Deja Kelly and -- don't forget this one -- Hailey Van Lith are also on Coach Kelly Graves' recruiting list.

ND is also looking at multiple ball-handling guards, including Clark and Kelly and will already have a number of guards who have handle the #1: Jordan Nixon, Anaya Peoples and Katlyn Gilbert.

So, both teams don't mind/like having a back-court in which multiple guards have handles and can take over the flow.

Another similarity: the players who have committed/being targeted so far.

- a point guard: PaoPao for Oregon; Clark/Kelly for the Irish
- a tall guard who could play the #2 or #3: Parrish for Oregon; Campbell for the Irish
- a tall, versatile forward: 6'-4" Angela Dugalic for Oregon; 6'-5" Nat Marshall for the Irish.

Interestingly, Oregon (and UCLA) are -- along with the Irish -- in the hunt for Kylee Watson, the forward who is coming to South Bend in June for an official visit (OV).

If Van Lith had committed to the Ducks, I'd be doing a jig. But, I wouldn't be surprised if Graves continues to push for one more of these guards in the belief that they're combo guards. Paige Bueckers sees herself as a combo guard. I'm not sure how Clark characterizes herself but I'm sure she can play #1 or #2 (or combo). And Van Lith is a scorer.

Stay tuned....and hope the Irish stay in touch with their prime targets: a few years agao, who would've thought Oregon (and Stanford) would become two of our major rivals for prospects (displacing Duke).

Van Lith ?

Is ND recruiting her ? I understand they may prefer other Guards more, but it is hard to believe they would not want to keep her as an option, especially since Bueckers chose UConn.

If ND Is, They're Doing A Really Covert Job Of It....

...have not seen any mention of trips to/from state of Washington. UConn, Baylor, the Oregons. That's not to say they have not seen her at various functions, but looks like the focus was/is on Bueckers, Clark and Kelly.

I would love to have Clark come to ND. However ..

she has many other choices to review. I will say that she would seem to be a perfect fit with the recruits we have coming in.

Clark

I am not sure if being a PG at Oregon is important to Clark. What I have
read, just get her on the court. Do not think it would be important
if 1 or 2. Besides Graves is a very laid back coach. Unless Oregon has
another high charging guard coming in. This could be to Oregons benefit.
Just feed her the ball.

SEG/Chief

Hope so *

I would think this helps NDWBB *