Social Media Snooping: Iriafen and Fudd in 2021; Some '22ers

Social Media Snooping: Iriafen and Fudd in 2021; Some '22ers
by dillon77 (2020-06-10 18:01:09)
Edited on 2020-06-10 18:23:42

Post Reply Return to McGraw's Bench

Now that the new coaching staff members are reasonably well (re)entrenched at ND, I decided to look at a combination of following/follower lists to see what players that Ivey, Owens, Mabrey & Washington are following on twitter.

KIKI IRIAFEN
Perhaps the most interesting was Kiki Iriafen, a 6'2" forward from Harvard-Westlake H.S., who is rated #9 on the 2021 prospect list by Hoopgurlz.

Niele follows her on Instagram. Coincidentally, DaBall on The Boneyard tipped Orangutan and I off to an instagram story that shows her working out with one Marina Mabrey.

Iriafen, whom own MPG likes, was recently named co-MVP this season in the Mission League in the Los Angeles region.

Some comments on her game:
- "Athletic front court prospect plays with finesse and power in the key; superior length cleans the glass, elevates over defenders in the key with soft touch on jump shot; superb in transition game; quick-leaper, a defensive presence in the paint; impacts as a high major prospect in the class of 2021." (Dan Olson, Hoopgurlz)

- "She does most of her damage in the paint. I think she is in ways similar to Brianna Turner; maybe not as polished as Turner was in HS, but similar ceiling, and has the hops, finesse, rise above game that Turner has." (DaBall, contributor to the Boneyard, whose assessments I like.)

- "What I've seen and read about her makes me think she'd be an excellent complement to Nat Marshall." (Dillon's druthers).

Some other points on Iriafen:

- That's an instagram story post below, which will disappear soon, so take a look see.
- There apparently is mutual interest with Stanford, UConn, Baylor and Stanford.
- Harvard-Westlake is one of the top private schools in California, let alone LA, and sends it's graduates to quite the array of top (private) colleges. ND is not listed as one of the faves (Stanford is), but -- hey -- let's throw hoops into the equation.
- Plus, the concept of playing with Miles has hopefully got to be a lure to any player, particularly a forward who is looking for an entry pass.

AZZI FUDD
The only other top Hoopgurlz prospect not committed is, of course, the number #1 player, Azzi Fudd.

Niele is following both Azzi and her dad, Tim Fudd, which is not a surprise since she probably initiated this relationship "back in the day." Remember, Fudd came to "Nielefest" in 2017!

UConn, for many internet recruiting fans, is still the presumed favorite; so much so that Boneyarders are starting to freak out about any mention thereof. This is driven primarily/partially by the fact that good friend Paige Bueckers is going there.

I'd give UConn a slight edge, primarily because Fudd has been been there so often. But, the Fudds are no stranger to Notre Dame, either, and it's not as if Azzi and Sam don't know and/or like each other. (Remember, Azzi went to Sam's commitment announcement ceremony.)

Plus, the signing of Olivia Miles is an interesting one: Miles is a true PG who could make it her life's mission to set up Fudd, as well as Citron, Campbell, Sam, etc. Bueckers is listed as a pg, but she also slips into the combo mode.

2022 PROSPECTS

Here are four names that ND coaches are following:

- Lauren Betts, the 6'7" center from Colorado (#1 in HG). CO (Carole Owens) saw her play in Chile with the U.S. National team and has been following her, as was Beth Cunningham.
- Timea Gardiner, the 6'2" forward from Utah (#6 HG). CO and Niele are following her. Gardiner reminds me a bit of Naz Hillmon, the forward at Michigan who ND was interested in for awhile. Gardiner was both a pounder and jump shooter in Chile.
- KK Bransford, 5'10" guard from Cincinnati (#9). This is one tough guard, who -- surprise -- also played on that team in Chile. Came off the bench and offered a different game than Verhulst, Citron, etc.: She goes to the hoop. Hard. And draws fouls. (Sound familiar?).
- Acacia Hayes, 5'7" PG from Tennessee (#45). Michaela has been in touch with this Hayes sister, the 4th hoopster in the family. She's strictly a lead guard, unlike Alasia, who played combo guard in HS.
No idea what's going on here given older sis, Katlyn G. playing lead for a year and, oh yeah, Ms. Miles.

- While I don't see lots of social media interaction, we do know that Niele Ivey has offered Ayanna Patterson, the very tall wing from Fr. Wayne area (#3 HG). Patterson is a wing so she could match up with an Iriafen and Gardiner, easily.

- Co (Coquese) is also following 2022's Sa'Mya Smith from Texas (#15), a 6'4" combo forward. I've never quite heard that term before, but would guess she can play both inside and outside, rebound and shoot the mid-range J. Box out and pass? I'm guessing Co knew her during her year at Oklahoma, but if she thinks she's worth pursuing for ND, keep it going.

Click here for link at https://www.instagram.com/stories/kikiiriafen/23282045880750

BTW, All of This Has Been Added To the Recruiting Update...

...since the vast majority of the action for 2021 is either behind us and/or limited by the Coronavirus, there are not huge amounts of information coming in at once (like who coaches saw at an AAU event).

So, I'm just adding in information on a commitment and changing the date.
If you don't recognize the date or see it updated, there's something new. I'll usually drop a short note on what's going in....

I am glad to see that ND is showing serious interest in Kiki

Iriafen. ND will have to come from behind to win her commitment, but it is good to see that Niele is pursuing the type of strong/athletic forwards that ND will need to add, especially for 2022. Kiki for 2021 would be a bonus.

Thank you for taking the time to confirm these connections. Niele seems to be focused on recruiting a core group that will combine skill, toughness, and athleticism. If successful with a couple of the forwards on this list, there are some good times ahead as ND builds toward another series of Final Four appearances.

Great snooping.

Nice news on Kiki Iriafen. I really like the "quick-leaper" part. That's Jackiesque.

On Timea Gardiner, is there anyone who doesn't remind you a bit of Naz Hillmon? 😀

Good stuff, thanks.

Terrific info...thanks very much *

Great Job and Info Dillon Alot of Positives to Hang

onto. I agree with you about Kiki being a quick-leaper. She is going to be
giving away height against many players. She is going to have to use her
smarts, leaping ability and strength. Love this type of player.

SEG/Chief

MPG and I Sigh After Every Improvement the Naz Makes....

...I think she was collateral damage to the push for Aliyah Boston and Laeticia Amihere. Amihere's knee went "poof" but the push was kept on and attention drifted elsewhere.

Hillmon is not quite "positionless" in the Stewie/EDD sense of the word, but she is kind of a "combo forward," which I saw used for Sa'Myah Smith: a person that can do typical forward things like rebound, defend and jump, while adding versatility to the offensive arsenal.

This was the allure of a Destiny Adams and is probably why Ayanna Patterson got an offer from Niele.

As a sophomore, she was very highly ranked

nationally in the overall Efficiency stat. You picked a winner.

And she came from Gilmour Academy, founded by the Brothers

of the Holy Cross. I wish I knew the recruiting story that resulted in her choosing Michigan. I believe that she was their leader in scoring and rebounding as a freshman coming off the bench.

As you say,

she led the team in points per game, rebounds per game, effective shooting percentage, offensive rebound percentage, and overall efficiency. Quite unusual for a freshman.