Given How Little Is Known About This Now Mutual Interest...
by dillon77 (2020-06-15 11:35:28)
Edited on 2020-06-15 11:36:58

In reply to: If Niele can bring Kiki to ND, that would be a significant  posted by MPG

Post Reply Return to McGraw's Bench

..this is a great development. No idea of when this relationship started -- (the video footage of Marina and Kiki may have happened before Marina was traded from LA Sparks to Dallas?) -- but the Irish seemed to have strengthened their relationship during the pandemic, which is saying something because that's entirely AV-based. Nice.

I'm certainly not aware if Kiki has ever been to the Bend and given that she's an LA-resident, I'd have to think she'd want to see the campus and South Bend. So, will this "finalist period" stay that way until the NCAA opens up campus visits? If so, that can only help ND. As charismatic as Niele is on phone and camera, she's even more so in person.

Yes, the Irish would have a full roster in 2021, but my gut is Niele is allowing everyone to start from scratch come practice. And then might do so again come Class of 2021.

This, along with the offer to Ayanna Patterson, is a good indication that Niele and staff know they need to continue to bolster the front court to match the talented guards and wings on the roster. Nat Marshall and Kat Westbeld (who sure seems like a high post) are a great start, but got to keep racking up the tall talent!



Just guessing the California schools probably lead. *
by 2Domer  (2020-06-15 14:18:41)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

I'd Guess So, Too, But It's a Chase Worth Being In...
by dillon77  (2020-06-15 15:21:36)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

..she's a very good player. And even if ND does not land her, it sends a good message and could set the Irish up for more successful courting of Lauren Betts, Timea Gardiner, Ayanna Patterson, etc., in 2022.

Patterson is a local product and Niele has given her an offer, which is great. And ND has watched Gardiner and Betts in Chile (CO was there), along with commits Miles and Citron. If ND could get one of those two, along with Patterson, that would be a super addition to Nat Marshall and Kat Westbeld.

You meant to write Patterson instead of Gardiner in the
by MPG  (2020-06-16 10:37:15)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

first sentence of your second paragraph. I view Gardiner as similar to Kiki as a low post player.