A pretty good interview with Jolette Law. I believe it's about 50 minutes in she mentions they aren't really looking to add anyone in the portal and no one is expected to leave.
2024-2025 WBB Team (2022-present)
- Thread starter TN-Gamecock
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Please excuse my meandering
Possibly two of the best pure athletes in the Staley era are Doniyah Cliney and Laeticia Amihere. Their basketball skills never quite caught up or got in sync with their athleticism.
I believe you can make the case that Fulwiley, Watkins and even Raven are in that elite class, even surpassing them. Also as bigs are just a different animal, Cardoso was the most athletic post in the country.
Next year those 3 should hands down make the SEC all defensive team, but MAYBE one will.
This team and next year’s shoot very well, play D, run the court and are superbly conditioned. Everyone but Sakima could play 30-35 minutes if needed. They also have that I want to get better drive. Chloe has already been talking about I gotta hit the weights. Tessa has said I have to become a much better ball handler to progress my game.
I think you will see Chloe look much more chiseled next season. I believe you see TeHina, Tessa and Adhel lose significant weight/reshape their bodies in the offseason.
I don’t really care who went where in the Portal, especially in conference. We return a Final Four team and got Joyce, Maddie and Adhel.
Possibly two of the best pure athletes in the Staley era are Doniyah Cliney and Laeticia Amihere. Their basketball skills never quite caught up or got in sync with their athleticism.
I believe you can make the case that Fulwiley, Watkins and even Raven are in that elite class, even surpassing them. Also as bigs are just a different animal, Cardoso was the most athletic post in the country.
Next year those 3 should hands down make the SEC all defensive team, but MAYBE one will.
This team and next year’s shoot very well, play D, run the court and are superbly conditioned. Everyone but Sakima could play 30-35 minutes if needed. They also have that I want to get better drive. Chloe has already been talking about I gotta hit the weights. Tessa has said I have to become a much better ball handler to progress my game.
I think you will see Chloe look much more chiseled next season. I believe you see TeHina, Tessa and Adhel lose significant weight/reshape their bodies in the offseason.
I don’t really care who went where in the Portal, especially in conference. We return a Final Four team and got Joyce, Maddie and Adhel.
My meandering reply:
"Next year those 3 should hands down make the SEC all defensive team, but MAYBE one will." Given their recent pub, I am thinking at least two make it and Watkins I would project is DPOY. The thing about Raven is that she seems to rise to the occasion against the best guards, like Clark. She gets a lot of rebounds for a point guard, but probably will not get the sheer number of rebounds and blocks some might look for, however.
"I believe you see TeHina, Tessa and Adhel lose significant weight/reshape their bodies in the offseason." I think Tessa had a head start on this during the season this year. IMHO, part of her progression was ramping up conditioning and maybe dropping a few lbs. Not a lot, but enough to make a difference. Would like to see TeHina work on her ball-handling skills and passing. Improvements in these areas might improve us 4-6 points in offense/defense differential. TBH, it got to the point (pun) that I was worried about who was running the team when Raven went out.
BTW, I checked the team stats to make sure I was at least close on PaoPao's turnovers. She was second on the team behind Fulwiliey. PaoPao also played the second most minutes behind Raven.
ONE OTHER VERY IMPORTANT STAT: Kamilla Carodoso led the team in three point field goal % at 100.00%.
There was no official stat line for most broken hearted opponents but I'm pretty sure KC would have led that one, too.
Please explain this to me?? You are a fifth year player. You leave a top 20 team that has realistic chance to be top 16 and host. You go to a rebuilding
show at a program you would not even visit as a HS senior.Nobody on this team would be in the top 7 at Bama except possibly Tessa Miller.
Maybe she just wanted to play on State her senior year. Had to be a sweet NIL deal to boot. What is her WNBA possibility?Please explain this to me?? You are a fifth year player. You leave a top 20 team that has realistic chance to be top 16 and host. You go to a rebuilding
Nobody on this team would be in the top 7 at Bama except possibly Tessa Miller.
This might be her cash in moment.She's always struck me as a player who wants to take a lot of shots. As Alabama gets better, they may want her to share the ball more. At Clemson, that won't be a problem.Please explain this to me?? You are a fifth year player. You leave a top 20 team that has realistic chance to be top 16 and host. You go to a rebuilding
Nobody on this team would be in the top 7 at Bama except possibly Tessa Miller.
Why waste money on a 5th year senior to play for a team that won't make the tournament? A young player could have gained experience. Part of the foundation of a team that could be good in 3 years.Maybe she just wanted to play on State her senior year. Had to be a sweet NIL deal to boot. What is her WNBA possibility?
I honestly think the reason is they don't want to lose to Carolina by 80 points. They have to put a somewhat competitive team on the floor this coming season.
They'll feel better only losing by 50.
I'm not going to lie -- I got excited when we scored against Clemson in Muschamp's first season to **only** lose by 49.
Good comparison. I've always maintained that Amihere is the only Gamecock basketball player--men or women--of whom it could be truly said she could guard 1 thru 5. Next year, we'll have TWO players on the roster who can guard 1 thru 5--Joyce and Watkins. Their ability to switch screens is going to give a dimension to the defense that will make it very effective, even if it might look different than what we've done in the past with bigger post players.
On the offensive end, she reminds me of A'ja. If the opposing team puts a bigger player on her, she'll use her athleticism and handle to beat them off the dribble. If they put a smaller player on her, she'll use her size to score over them.
In transition, however, especially from defense to offense, there is no former Gamecock player comparable. Not a big anyway. She handles the ball like a guard. And since she's beating the opposing teams' bigs down the floor, she usually finishes against smaller players.
I don't see how Edwards doesn't play 20 minutes or more a game this coming season. Watkins, at the very least, needs to play 20 minutes a game. Thankfully, they are both versatile enough to play the 4 or 5. That leaves 40 minutes a game to be distributed between Kitts, Feagin, Tac and Walker. I think for Chloe to play at the next level, she'll need to be versatile enough to be a 3 and a stretch 4. So maybe Kitts can get some minutes at the 3.
So, it makes sense why Jolette Law said we wouldn't be adding a player. An additional player would have a ripple effect on everyone's minutes. The challenge for Dawn is giving everyone enough minutes to keep this group together.
Watching Kitts training video lead me to the conclusion that she is improving her handle to play more on the wing. She has a beautiful shot and her ability to shoot opens up other opportunities for players to operate in the post.
Bree Hall does not have a true backup, so I think you will see some of the logjam get eased at her position. She will play 20-25 minutes a game with Tessa and Chloe splitting the other minutes
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Tessa and Hall are both listed at 6' 0". Tessa's D improved over the year.
Kitts is listed at 6' 2". Can she guard the 3 position? Can she extend her shooting range a few more feet? I think she can extend her range. She has nice form already. Can she get stronger to bang at the 4 position? Like this year, her playing time might be significantly affected by matchups with the opposition.
I would love to see Chloe some at the 3. I think she may be one of the most determined players on the team at getting better. If she and Dawn have discussed playing some at the 3, I have no doubt she will put in the work.
Tessa and Chloe look gangly and awkward defending on the perimeter. That said they still keep their feet moving and stay in front of who they are guarding. It’s not pretty but they understand D principles and angles. Both need to work on foot work and agility to improve.
Both need work with Molly; Tessa to reshape and Chloe strength. Both have already committed to improving ball handling. I think they can be good defenders on the perimeter unless we are playing a true 3 guard offense with very quick players
umm … maybe to have a chance at a Final Four in her final season, something that won’t happen if she flips to Tennessee. Vols fans, man. Still living like it’s 2008.
That is hilarious!! Tennessee poaches the Bama assistant and immediately 2 Bama starters go in the portal. And it looks like neither will go to Rocky Top
They continue to lose bigs, though.
Just hard to tell how any team is going to look until we can tally up all the comings and goings. Texas could land Beers. Or they could replace the exiting bigs with ones not quite as good as Beers. It seems like a lot of roster turnover to me either way. That's been an issue the entire time Vic's been at Texas.
Read somewhere that Barker was a potential portal target for Texas also but I just can't see a player that emotionally volatile and Vic making it work
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None of their pickups so far really move the needle for me
And she will have Williams and Johnson ahead of her…. Oh wait they are going to teach her to be a PG
Looking more and more like Mike Neighbors' final season
Vic has earned a reputation as a very difficult coach to play for and as not being a supportive coach. Close friend who has been in college athletics for almost 40 years says Mulkey and Schaefer are the two worst human beings in college WBB
I'm not mad at these group of guards, they could be of actual need instead of getting big names like last year. But Gilbert leaving Arizona due to bad culture to go to LSU is a choice.
It also confirms to me that LSU is never going to let Aneesah play the 3 to expand her game in preparation for the the WNBA.
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AZ losing Gilbert was a plus for that team, she is and was a problem for chemistry, she is on record saying defense is not her thing….notice AZ got better when she left.x.com
vxtwitter.com
I'm not mad at these group of guards, they could be of actual need instead of getting big names like last year. But Gilbert leaving Arizona due to bad culture to go to LSU is a choice.
It also confirms to me that LSU is never going to let Aneesah play the 3 to expand her game in preparation for the the WNBA.
Supposedly LSU is getting one more from the portal. Wonder who? People are speculating it could be the PF from Texas because she Smiyah Smith were high school teammates
It’s a big day for LSU, but they did not get better than us. Gilbert was the bad culture at Arizona. Team improved as soon as she left.x.com
I'm not mad at these group of guards, they could be of actual need instead of getting big names like last year. But Gilbert leaving Arizona due to bad culture to go to LSU is a choice.
It also confirms to me that LSU is never going to let Aneesah play the 3 to expand her game in preparation for the the WNBA.
Williams 32 mpg and Johnson 34 mpg are locked in at starters at the 2&3. That leaves Gilbert(28 minutes per game), Sheppard 20mpg Day-Wilson 30mpg, Poa 20 mpg, Wolfenbarger, and freshman Jada Richards for PG and backing up the 2&3. 5 players competing for PG with Wolfenbarger still there in the mix.
Everyone losing playing time within a culture thats not known for sharing. Can’t wait to see how that works out.
Also cue up the excuse machine…. So many new players and Smith coming back from injury….. it’s vital we play an easy OOC to learn who we at blah blah blah
Portal difference between DS and Kim
Over the last six years(including this cycle) we have brought in ONLY 4 players. (LSU brought in 4 this cycle and may not be through.)They all knew their role and place in the pecking order before they set foot on campus
Destiny Littleton
came in knowing she needed surgery and would sit a whole year to rehab. It was a new start for her and she would be backing up Zia. Was recruited by DS out of HS
Kamillia Cardoso
Was leaving ashow at Syracuse where 12 players left. She came knowing Boston was the cheese and she was the backup. Get developed for the future and be reunited with good friend Raven. Was recruited by us out of HS
Kierra Fletcher
Was brought in to play PG for one season. Role was to play but also be place holder, emergency policy, and mentor for Raven. Not recruited by us out of HS
TeHina Paopao
She played PG at Oregon with the program becoming ashow. We had desperate need for SG. Was told that was her position and that she would back up the PG in sub rotation. Was directly told before she even got to campus, get in better shape and be prepared to defend. Not recruited by us out of HS
Compare this to Mulkey. Now granted Mulkey had a depleted roster and was in total scramble mode to bring in talent.
Ladhazia Williams
Absolute success. Knew her role, and yes she was a Gamecock
Angel Reese
Absolute Success on the court but…..well there is all the other stuff and her game did not expand while there.
Alexis Morris
Big Success but not developed as a PG to make a WNBA roster. Does not have nice things to say, nor does Kateri Poole or Jasmine Carson
Kateri Poole
Need I say more
Ajae Petty
On the team when Mulkey arrived, got recruited over 2 years in a row and left. Never got developed at LSU. 16 and 10 this past season
Hannah Gusters
followed Mulkey from Baylor to be the star post player. Little used backup at LSU who got recruited over by LaDhazia and Angel. Never got developed. Transferred to OK State 15 and 5 this past year and in the portal
Esmery Martinez
Recruited out of WVU to come and be starting PF at LSU and bring your good buddy Jasmine Carson with you….OOPS we just signed Angel Reese. Never even made it on campus went to Arizona and was successful there.
Aneesah Morrow
Come here and be a part of a super team. I PROMISE you will play the 3 and we will develop you for that position in the WNBA. Great player but need I say more.
HVL
Honey of course you are already a great PG. We will make you an EVEN better PG. Be a part of a super team, win a national title and be a first round draft pick.
With the 3 she has just brought in at guard. They are all pitted against each other and Last Tear Poa AND Fr. Jada Richards to find the PG they need so badly. The 4 losers of that competition will be fighting for scraps of playing time, because the 2&3 are locked up by Johnson and Williams.
I think it is kind to say Mulkey over promises. But more accurately is duplicitous and does not have a good track record of developing talent past where they are when they arrive.
Over the last six years(including this cycle) we have brought in ONLY 4 players. (LSU brought in 4 this cycle and may not be through.)They all knew their role and place in the pecking order before they set foot on campus
Destiny Littleton
came in knowing she needed surgery and would sit a whole year to rehab. It was a new start for her and she would be backing up Zia. Was recruited by DS out of HS
Kamillia Cardoso
Was leaving a
show at Syracuse where 12 players left. She came knowing Boston was the cheese and she was the backup. Get developed for the future and be reunited with good friend Raven. Was recruited by us out of HSKierra Fletcher
Was brought in to play PG for one season. Role was to play but also be place holder, emergency policy, and mentor for Raven. Not recruited by us out of HS
TeHina Paopao
She played PG at Oregon with the program becoming a
show. We had desperate need for SG. Was told that was her position and that she would back up the PG in sub rotation. Was directly told before she even got to campus, get in better shape and be prepared to defend. Not recruited by us out of HSCompare this to Mulkey. Now granted Mulkey had a depleted roster and was in total scramble mode to bring in talent.
Ladhazia Williams
Absolute success. Knew her role, and yes she was a Gamecock
Angel Reese
Absolute Success on the court but…..well there is all the other stuff and her game did not expand while there.
Alexis Morris
Big Success but not developed as a PG to make a WNBA roster. Does not have nice things to say, nor does Kateri Poole or Jasmine Carson
Kateri Poole
Need I say more
Ajae Petty
On the team when Mulkey arrived, got recruited over 2 years in a row and left. Never got developed at LSU. 16 and 10 this past season
Hannah Gusters
followed Mulkey from Baylor to be the star post player. Little used backup at LSU who got recruited over by LaDhazia and Angel. Never got developed. Transferred to OK State 15 and 5 this past year and in the portal
Esmery Martinez
Recruited out of WVU to come and be starting PF at LSU and bring your good buddy Jasmine Carson with you….OOPS we just signed Angel Reese. Never even made it on campus went to Arizona and was successful there.
Aneesah Morrow
Come here and be a part of a super team. I PROMISE you will play the 3 and we will develop you for that position in the WNBA. Great player but need I say more.
HVL
Honey of course you are already a great PG. We will make you an EVEN better PG. Be a part of a super team, win a national title and be a first round draft pick.
With the 3 she has just brought in at guard. They are all pitted against each other and Last Tear Poa AND Fr. Jada Richards to find the PG they need so badly. The 4 losers of that competition will be fighting for scraps of playing time, because the 2&3 are locked up by Johnson and Williams.
I think it is kind to say Mulkey over promises. But more accurately is duplicitous and does not have a good track record of developing talent past where they are when they arrive.
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Will be interesting if she changes her tune this year and actually plays her bench more in blowouts. And why do Amani Bartlett and Izzy Besseman stick around?Portal difference between DS and Kim
Over the last six years(including this cycle) we have brought in ONLY 4 players. (LSU brought in 4 this cycle and may not be through.)They all knew their role and place in the pecking order before they set foot on campus
Destiny Littleton
came in knowing she needed surgery and would sit a whole year to rehab. It was a new start for her and she would be backing up Zia. Was recruited by DS out of HS
Kamillia Cardoso
Was leaving a
Kierra Fletcher
Was brought in to play PG for one season. Role was to play but also be place holder, emergency policy, and mentor for Raven. Not recruited by us out of HS
TeHina Paopao
She played PG at Oregon with the program becoming a
Compare this to Mulkey. Now granted Mulkey had a depleted roster and was in total scramble mode to bring in talent.
Ladhazia Williams
Absolute success. Knew her role, and yes she was a Gamecock
Angel Reese
Absolute Success on the court but…..well there is all the other stuff and her game did not expand while there.
Alexis Morris
Big Success but not developed as a PG to make a WNBA roster. Does not have nice things to say, nor does Kateri Poole or Jasmine Carson
Kateri Poole
Need I say more
Ajae Petty
On the team when Mulkey arrived, got recruited over 2 years in a row and left. Never got developed at LSU. 16 and 10 this past season
Hannah Gusters
followed Mulkey from Baylor to be the star post player. Little used backup at LSU who got recruited over by LaDhazia and Angel. Never got developed. Transferred to OK State 15 and 5 this past year and in the portal
Esmery Martinez
Recruited out of WVU to come and be starting PF at LSU and bring your good buddy Jasmine Carson with you….OOPS we just signed Angel Reese. Never even made it on campus went to Arizona and was successful there.
Aneesah Morrow
Come here and be a part of a super team. I PROMISE you will play the 3 and we will develop you for that position in the WNBA. Great player but need I say more.
HVL
Honey of course you are already a great PG. We will make you an EVEN better PG. Be a part of a super team, win a national title and be a first round draft pick.
With the 3 she has just brought in at guard. They are all pitted against each other and Last Tear Poa AND Fr. Jada Richards to find the PG they need so badly. The 4 losers of that competition will be fighting for scraps of playing time, because the 2&3 are locked up by Johnson and Williams.
I think it is kind to say Mulkey over promises. But more accurately is duplicitous and does not have a good track record of developing talent past where they are when they arrive.
Besselman is a walkon, she is just enjoying the ride. Bartlett, would probably need to go down several levels to be able to play
From GamecockCentral's Chris Wellbaum...
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South Carolina women's basketball: How the Gamecocks ranked statistically
South Carolina set numerous individual and team records last season. Here’s how the undefeated season stacked up in program history.
I guess UT is getting no Bama players
She is the only one in the portal that piqued my interest. Don't see how we could turn her away if she likes it here....
It was reported she was listed as Do Not Contact, so she would have had to reach out to our coaches, if this report is true.
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