Hey everyone:
The ND WBB Recruiting Report has been updated to reflect developments and changes since late June.
Regarding ND, the major change in 2020 prospects was that the following four prospects have listed the Irish as finalists and are coming to ND for official visits (OV's) in September and October.
- Sept. 27-29 (UVA football weekend): Deja Kelly, Alasia Hayes.
- Oct. 11-13 (USC football weekend): Caitlin Clark, Maddy Westbeld and Alli Campbell (a verbal commitment who has not taken an OV).
The other major change for ND recruiting was that Niele Ivey resigned to join the Memphis Grizzlies coaching staff. ND has not announced a successor and MM has not explained who will take over as lead assistant on recruiting, as Niele was for many years. Don't think this will impact the Class of 2020 closing push that much because MM was the major player in late summer/early fall. However, it will be interesting to see who takes lead moving forward and what changes, if any, there are in direction.
As most know, ND examines a lot of prospects, which are then pared down (sometimes by the ND staff, sometimes by the player). We keep track of those that have, at least, expressed "mutual interest" to use MM's phrase. So, I've examined what schools those that have moved on from ND list as finalists (where applicable).
Lastly, one of the major topics of conversation on the Bench during the summer was the need to get a forward to take Dani Patterson's place. That didn't happen during the transfer process and -- at least that we're aware of -- there are no further 2020 forward prospects coming to campus (thus far).
Of course, ND has a verbal commitment from Nat Marshall...all 6'5" of her. And Mik Vaughn and Dani Cosgrove will both have two years of eligibility at that time. So maybe MM is looking at forwards or wings.
My very recent take has to do with the growth of Maddy Westbeld's interior game: maybe there's a thought of playing her at the high post, as opposed to a wing.
In any case, take a look at the 2020s, the 2021s (which have one or two new names) and a few 2022's.
The time to pay attention to is September 9th, when MM and staff can leave campus to make contact with prospects. Expect/hope for Home Visits.
Best,
Dillon
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Greetings, Benchers:
Welcome to the 2019 late summer, "fall" semester edition of the ND Women's Basketball Recruiting Update. This primarily focuses on the team's efforts to land high-school prospects from the Class of 2020, but will also examine efforts to find players who graduate from high school in 2021 and, in some instances, 2022.
For those new to the Bench, the update is brought up to speed, edited, etc., every so often to keep regular readers/posters on top of what Coach McGraw and her staff are doing. To do that ...
- We rely on input from Benchers, publications, blogs and outside information; even posters from other sites. We try to verify claims, so it does not become a rumor board. However, we're open to gleaning information from various media down to "I saw this coach/player at this game or on campus..."
- We try to include up-to-date ratings of Hoopgurlz and Prospects Nation. If I'm off, just drop a note that I've missed an HG or PN redo.
- Same goes for recent developments and heights (assuming growth!). We tend to use national team listings and/or informed local descriptions.
WHAT RECRUITING PERIOD IS THE NCAA IN? WHAT CAN COACHES DO?
Until September 9th, The NCAA WBB is still primarily in a QUIET period, during which a college coach may have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents only on the college's campus. No in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts or evaluations may be made during the Quiet Period.
From Sept. 9th until Sept. 29th, there is a CONTACT period, when it is permissible for authorized athletics department staff members to make in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts and evaluations. This is in addition to the On-campus activities detailed in the Quiet Period.
Official Visits Are Scheduled
As such, high School seniors can take official visits (OV's) to college campuses. OV's are paid for by the college and an athlete can take up to five of them. As of this writing, ND has four OV's scheduled for the fall:
- Sept. 27-29 (UVA football weekend): Deja Kelly, Alasia Hayes.
- Oct. 11-13 (USC football weekend): Caitlin Clark, Maddy Westbeld and Alli Campbell (a verbal commitment who has not taken an OV).
OVERALL LOOK AT PERSONNEL
ND has 10 players on the 2019-20 roster:
2 Graduate Students:
- 5'8" Point Guard Marta Sniezek, from Stanford (one year of elibility)
- 5'10" Guard Destinee Walker, from North Carolina. (one, possibly two, years of eligibility)
One Senior
- 5'10" Guard Kaitlin Cole (now a scholarship player)
2 Juniors
- 5'8" Guard Nicole Benz (non-scholarship walk-on player)
- 6'3" Center Mikayla Vaughn (probably has three years of eligibility)
3 Sophomores
- 6'3" Forward Danielle Cosgrove
- 5'10" Guard Katlyn Gilbert (has four years of eligibility)
- 5'10" Guard Abby Prohaska
2 Freshman
- 6'2" Forward Sam Brunelle
- 5'10" Guard Anaya Peoples
Dillon's Druthers:
- MM could recruit up to a total of four (4) or five (5) 2020 prospects, if she gets the right people (can't emphasize that enough). Assuming verbal commits Alli Campbell and Natalija Marshall honor their pledges, that leaves room for two (2) or three (3) more in the 2020 class.
Depending on Cole, Walker and Benz (walk on) do after this season, a five-person recruiting class in 2020 could result in having a 2020 opening-day roster size of anywhere from 11 to 14 players, although I'd bet on it being in the 12-13 range (knock on wood).
Campbell is regarded as an off guard, possibly a wing, so:
- point guard is a natural target;
- another post/big forward seems a necessity, given Dani Patterson's transfer; and,
- A wing or forward. Given the pursuit of Maddy Westbeld, who is 6'2", one could get a forward with range or a wing who can bang underneath, depending on how you look at it.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the team, by position.
POINT GUARDS/GUARDS
Context
In the fall of 2020, ND currently has no one on their roster who was recruited primarily as a point guard, so this is a position of strong interest.
Class of 2020 Point Guards of Interest:
- Caitlin Clark (#4 in HG, 7 in PN) 6’0” PG from Iowa who played on USA U16 & U19 teams. Very confident in her ability to run a team, yet look for her own shot. Top-notch talent. Has three finalists: Iowa, Iowa State and ND. She took a covert unofficial visit in June and will take an OV in early October with Westbeld and Campbell.
- Deja Kelly (#19 in HG, #31 in PN) 5'8" guard from Texas who initially committed to Texas in 7th grade(!), but reopened her search. HG's Dan Olson on Kelly "...manufactures, delivers off the dribble with smooth delivery in mid-range game; knocks down the jumper at the arc; savvy floor leader." Could also play off- or combo-guard. Taking OV in late September (UVA game).
- Alesia Hayes, 5'8" guard from Tennessee, one of three basketball playing guards (the other two play at Middle Tennessee St.) recently named her five finalists: ND, Michigan, Rutgers, North Carolina State and MTSU. Known as a feisty defender who likes to push the ball up the court, she will visit the same weekend as Kelly.
Other 2020 Point Guards:
- Keegan Sullivan (NR in HG, 25 PN), 6’0” from South Bend, who has several D1 offers/interest (S. Carolina, DePaul, etc.). Made several cuts at U.S. National Team U17 trials. Probably not in ND plans, but worth noting a local favorite on the board.
While Clark, Kelly and Hayes are listed as point guards, ND continues to have interest in all of them, which, perhaps, indicates ND's staff could be considering one of them as an off- or combo guard. This approach gives coverage and flexibility in recruiting and, down the line, game match-ups.
2020 Point Guards Who Went Elsewhere:
- Paige Bueckers (#1 in HoopGurlz (HG), #1 Prospects Nation (PN)), 5’11” guard from Minnesota. Athletic, fast, technically proficient and very creative offensively. Scores or passes off the drive. Can play PG, off- or combo- guard. Played on gold-medal-winning U.S. Nat'l. U17 team last July and 3x3 team in late summer, as well as U19 team this summer. ON APRIL 1ST, Bueckers committed to UCONN. Not a total surprise, but a bummer, nonetheless.
Class of 2021 Point Guards To Watch:
- Olivia Miles, (HG #2, PN #4). 5'10" pass-first PG who plays for Blair Prep in New Jersey and the Philly Belles in AAU (so MM knows her). Played well on U16 U.S. Basketball Team in the Americas Tournament in Chile.
- Arina (Ari) Wiggins, (HG #26, #12 PN) 5’8” junior-to-be at Heritage Christian, Indianapolis, who has P5 offers. Very quick. Attended USJN Championships in Washington, D.C. and was cited by various evaluators. Attends ND home games. Got shout-outs for her play at Boo Williams 2019.
- Taylor Bigby, (#25 HG, #15 in PN) 5'11" soph at Centennial H.S. in Las Vegas, Nevada. While playing AAU Ball for Cal Sparks, ND coaches apparently checked her out at a Nike event. Louisville and others have offered. Her HS team won a Nevada state title.
GUARD/WING
Context:
Abby Prohaska, combo guard Katlyn Gilbert and incoming 2019 guard Anaya Peoples will be on board when practice starts, as might Desiree Walker. While many see Sam Brunelle as a Kat Westbeld-type high post, it's worth seeing how the Irish employ Sam in 2019-20.
2020 Player Committed to the Irish:
- Allison (Alli) Campbell (#20 HG, 26 PN). 6’1” guard whose Bellwood-Antis HS won 2018 &'19 Pa. state titles. Made final 18 of National u17 trials. Plays for Philly Belles in AAU ball and was cited as a key performer at Annual USJN Ntl. Championships. As of Sept. 13, 2018: COMMITTED TO NOTRE DAME, but will take an OV in October with Caitlin Clark and Maddy Westbeld.
Class of 2020 Players of Interest:
- Madeleine (Maddy) Westbeld (31 in HG, 24 in PN), 6’2” wing/forward from Ohio who favors outside game more than Kat, her high-post sister. Made cut to 45 at U.S. Nat'l. U17 trials.
2020 Guard/Wing Prospects Who Will Go Elsewhere:
- Sydney Parrish, (#11 in HG, 19 PN) 6’2” wing/forward from Hamilton Southeastern, Indiana. Was a semi-finalist for the USA Basketball’s U16 and U17 teams. Played at Annual USJN Nat'l. Championships and got a shout-out from Mark Lewis of Blue Star Media. Was not been mentioned in regards to ND, so no surprise when her Top 7 didn’t include ND. As of April 15th, VERBALLY COMMITTED TO OREGON.
- Priscilla Williams (#12 HG, #9 PN). 6'2" wing from Katy, Texas, now in Branson, Missouri. Very athletic, dynamic tall guard. ND took a look late in the game but didn't make finals: Florida State, Louisville, Syracuse, Mississippi State and Southern Methodist.
- Madison Hayes, (#25 in HG, 57 in PN) 6-0 G/W from East Hamilton HS, Ooltewah, TN. Added a bit later to the mix who is averaging 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.4 blocks and 3.1 steals. Her TGB team won the gold medal at this summer's 3x3 U18 Trials in Colorado, upsetting Sam Brunelle's team in the final. Recently named finalists that did not include Notre Dame.
- Maddie Burke (NR in HG, 45 in PN), 6’0” shooting guard from Pennsylvania who is another member of the Philly Belles. Good outside stroke. Not connected to ND in awhile. Announced commitment to Penn State.
Dillon's druthers:
There are a number of guards and multi-positioners (Brunelle) at ND already, Campbell is coming (and growing) and look who's available in 2021 (Fudd). Do you still go after a wing/forward, such as Maddy Westbeld? Or just take another best-available guard? Or wait until 2021?
Class of 2021 Players of Note:
- Azzi Fudd (#1 HG, #1 on PN), a 5’11” guard who is staring he junior year at. St. John’s College in Washington, D.C., the same school that Lindsay Allen attended.
-- Youngest player on the U.S. teams in Argentina and Europe.
-- Scored 30+ points many times, prompting coaching pilgrimages to D.C.
-- She and Cameron Brink became first women to attend Stephen Curry's Summer Camp. Won the three-point shoot-around.
-- Could be that she's just a good friend, but attended Brunelle's announcement in April and wore an ND T-Shirt. Played with Brunelle on Fairfax AAU team and U.S. Nat'l. U16 and U17 teams. But she is also very tight with Paige B., who is attending UConn.
– Won Naismith Award for best HS player of 2018-19, as a sophomore.
- Currently recuperating from an MCL injury and then will have surgery on her ACL, which will definitely affect her junior HS season.
- Payton Verhulst, (#9 HG, #10 PN), Bishop Miege H.S., Kansas. 6' guard who was one of the most exciting players on the u16 U.S. National Team playing in Chile. Long-range shooter who will also go to the hoop. Surprisingly good athlete...reminds me of Maddie Cable. Started with Olivia Miles and Sonia Citron. ND not offered as of yet.
- Sonia Citron, (#17 HG, PN) 6'1" Guard/Wing from Ursuline Academy, NY and Hudson Valley Elite 16 Gold. Will hit the three off the jab…Comfortable handling the ball to score off the bounce. Started on u16 U.S. Nat'l Team in Chile, with Olivia Miles. Efficient and seemingly did the right thing all the time. Offers have been pouting in since then.
- Shyanne Sellers (#36 - HG, NR - PN), 8'0" guard from Manchester Township, Ohio, who recently named ND as one of her finalists. All round off-guard who is known for ability to pull the trigger on her jumper from all ranges. Made first team, Division One in Ohio in 2019.
- Matyson Wilke (Not ranked in HG, PN Top 25 Lists, but is listed as #9 HG guard), a 5’10” guard from Beaver Dam, Wisc. Attended ND games. HG's Olson: "elevates on jumper, manufactures, delivers to the arc; a consistent jump shooter." Played at Boo Williams and her excellent outside shooting (58% from 3) was noted.
- Sydney Affolter, (#45 PN) 5'10" guard who plays for Marist H.S. in Chicago. Strong, sturdy build. Drives to hoop, plays defense and has a quick 3-pt. release. Has offer from P5 schools, Ivies and Marquette. Does not seem to be in mix now, but let's see what happens in with 2020's.
Class of 2022
- Camille Jackson, 5'8" Guard from Butler College Prep, Chicago. Ranked 3rd in Class by Blue Star. HG's Olson's description reads like a young Arike: "Athletic guard manufactures, rises on jumper in mid-range game; college-ready frame, rebounds at the guard position effectively, attacks in up-tempo; 3-point game opportunist." Attended ND-Louisville game.
(2020's Campbell, Parrish and Burke and 2021's Fudd and Wilke all attended the 10/27-28/17 unofficial group visit.)
FORWARDS/POSTS
Context
- In 2020-21, the Irish will have the following returning posts and forwards: Mikayla Vaughn, Danielle Cosgrove and Sam Brunelle.
2020 Players Who Have Committed to ND:
- Natalija Marshall (#35 HG, 16 PN), 6’5” forward from Christ the King H.S. in Queens, NYC. Attended Oct. '17 Unofficial Group Visit. Made several cuts at recent U.S. National U17 trials. Finalists were ND, Duke, Stanford, UConn, Texas, Tennessee, UCLA, Syracuse, South Carolina and Michigan.
-- MM attended her Christ-the-King HS vs St. John's College (Azzi Fudd) in D.C
– Niele was in NYC over the winter and thought to have seen a CTK game
- ND had home visit with Nat Marshall (NM) on March 11 (confirmed by NM)
– Marshall said she would take her Official Visits in April (citing ND and Stanford) and then make her mind up by late May. She did visit ND with her parents in mid-April.
- As of April 17, 2017: Natalija Marshall COMMITTED TO NOTRE DAME.
Possible Other 2020 Candidates at Forward:
- Maddy Westbeld.
Wait, didn't we have her at Wing? Yup. Still, word on the AAU circuit was that Maddy was developing her inside game and looking increasingly comfortable and proficient at it. Mark Lewis, of Blue Star Media, confirmed this growth with a report from Washington, D.C.:
"Madeline Westbeld – 2020 – 6-2 – Forward – Sports City U – Reaching a new level…Depth to her game is exceptional…Combination of size, strength, refined skills and awareness…Challenges defenders inside and out…Touch and range require closing out on the catch…Physically holding her own with posts carrying much more bulk…Contains her emotions on both good and bad plays…Stays focused when challenged…Confidence only magnifies the advance in her game."
2020 Posts/Forwards Of Note Who Will Head Elsewhere
- Cameron Brink (#3 HG, 3 PN), a 6’4” stretch forward from Beaverton, Oregon, who led team to state championship. played on the U.S. National U17 Team. Rail thin, but mixes it up. As of Oct. 28, 2018: COMMITTED TO STANFORD.
- Angel Reese (#2 HG, 6 PN), 6’2” forward who plays for St. Frances Academy in Maryland. Reese announced 5 finalists: Maryland, South Carolina, Southern Cal, Syracuse and Tennessee. She'll make her choice by Nov. 2019.
- Hannah Gusters (#9 HG, 8 PN), a 6'5" center from DeSoto, Texas. Was a finalist at U.S. Nat'l. U17 Trials. Gusters took an "unofficial" to UConn and apparently left with an offer. As of May 20, COMMITTED TO BAYLOR.
- Kylee Watson (#17 HG, 17 PN), an agile 6'3" post from Mainland HS in NJ who was one of the attendees to Nielefest/Recruitapalooza. Has U.S. National Team experience and also plays for the Philly Belles.
-- Watson led Mainland to first NJ State sectional title in March
-- MM attended scrimmage of hers prior to HS season
-- Watson was scheduled to take an OV to ND this June, but announced her commitment to Oregon on May 22.
- Jayla Kelly (99 in HG or PN), 6'3" Post from Parkway Central HS (St. Louis metro area), Missouri. Averaged averaged 11 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game sophomore season. Athletic post who supplies defensive and rebounding presence. Attended Lehigh game at ND on Dec. 30, 2018. Recently announced finalists and ND was not among them.
Dillon's druthers:
- Having Marshall aboard is a good thing to have: I don't care how lithe she is, Nat is still 6'5" tall and she knows how to use it on defense and rebounding.
The Bench, rightfully, has been wondering what other 2020 forwards MM might be after to make up for the loss of Dani Patterson. The answer might be someone who initially was thought of as a wing: Maddy Westbeld. As Mark Lewis points out above, her game is starting resemble the forward on ND's national championship team: Kat Westbeld. But Maddy has better range. Both are 6'2". Working with Nat Marshall and Sam Brunelle could be a medium-sized way of attacking.
2021 Players To Keep Track Of:
- Amari DeBerry (#5 in HG, #3 in PN), a 6’5” forward starting at Williamsville South H.S. in New York. Another Blue Belle player. Made the U.S. National U16 Team. UConn has reportedly already offered and is a constant visitor. However, ND has seen high school, AAU games.
- Destiny Adams (#35 in HG, #18 in PN) 6-3' forward Manchester Twnshp. and Exodus NY AAU (same as N. Marshall). Had to get a Jersey girl in here! "USJN-April 2018: Athletic face-up-4 with off-the-charts potential; rebounds, handles and finishes plays coast-to-coast; superior length, wingspan, defends all 5 positions on the floor; knocks down the jumper to the arc; rebounds, outlets, executes in transition game; stretch-4 game with guard skills." (Dan Olson)
2022 Player To Keep Track Of:
- Maya Nnaji, (#8 HG, PN Not Rated Yet) 6'1' forward from Hopkins, Minnesota, who plays for the same high school as Paige Bueckers. Hoopgurlz describes her as a "Faceup-4 prospect with college-ready frame (who) brings offensive game attack to the arc...)" Brother will be a D-1 hoopster. Great genes.
- Ayanna Patterson, (#4 HG, PN Not Rated Yet) 6'3" forward from Homestead H.S. in Ft. Wayne. Has dunked in high school practice and averaged some 12.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots per game in her first year of varsity basketball. Already has offers from multiple D1 schools, including B1G. ND has shown interest.
- Mila Reynolds, 6'2" forward from Washington H.S. in South Bend, alma mater of Skylar Diggins. This sophomore, who already has an offer from DePaul, is a regular at ND home games and often seen on campus. Her defensive prowess and grit, despite a leg injury, was cited at Boo Williams '19.