RSS
Another recruit may be headed this way
Shortly after getting off the phone with the father of UConn commit Breanna Stewart, I decided to do a little checking into the situation with Xylina McDaniel, who has recently appeared on UConn's recruiting radar.
Thanks to her extremely helpful AAU coach Roger Wiley, who set up a three-way call between me, McDaniel's high school coach Anne Long and him, the plan is for McDaniel to come up to UConn this weekend (weather permitting) along with her mother. If they can get up here, they will be in the stands when the Huskies host DePaul. If that falls through, there's a chance that she would be up here when UConn and Oklahoma play at the XL Center on Feb. 14. The problem with that game is that McDaniel's Spring Valley (S.C.) team has a crucial playoff game the following day and considering the weather we've been having this winter, that would be a huge risk of being unable to get back to play in a game that her team is counting on her.
If the McDaniels come up on Friday, it is looking pretty good weather wise. Saturday's tougher to call because early weather reports are calling for a mix of rain and snow that day.
Back on the subject of Xylina (pronounced Xelina), she is a versatile 6-foot-1 forward averaging 18.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.6 blocks to help Spring Valley to a 20-0 record. While she does most of her work inside, the daughter of former NBA star Xavier McDaniel goes have 10 3-pointers and is shooting 43 percent from 3-point range.
Wiley said McDaniel is an extremely athletic kid who is the fastest player on his AAU team (the South Carolina Seventy-Sixers) who projects to be a combo forward at the next level. He said she has been working extremely hard on extending the range on her jumper and it is paying off.
Until UConn got involved with her in the last couple of weeks, Wiley said she was looking at mostly ACC and SEC schools but wasn't far enough in the process to start publicizing her list. She is obviously intrigued by UConn or she wouldn't be planning to trip up this way and once she gets to visit UConn, she will take the next step of narrowing her list to a final five.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma stayed behind when UConn returned from its Jan. 17 game at North Carolina so he could watch McDaniel play the following day at Lugoff-Eglin. All McDaniel did was score 30 points (on 13 of 19 shooting) and added 16 rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Thanks to her extremely helpful AAU coach Roger Wiley, who set up a three-way call between me, McDaniel's high school coach Anne Long and him, the plan is for McDaniel to come up to UConn this weekend (weather permitting) along with her mother. If they can get up here, they will be in the stands when the Huskies host DePaul. If that falls through, there's a chance that she would be up here when UConn and Oklahoma play at the XL Center on Feb. 14. The problem with that game is that McDaniel's Spring Valley (S.C.) team has a crucial playoff game the following day and considering the weather we've been having this winter, that would be a huge risk of being unable to get back to play in a game that her team is counting on her.
If the McDaniels come up on Friday, it is looking pretty good weather wise. Saturday's tougher to call because early weather reports are calling for a mix of rain and snow that day.
Back on the subject of Xylina (pronounced Xelina), she is a versatile 6-foot-1 forward averaging 18.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.6 blocks to help Spring Valley to a 20-0 record. While she does most of her work inside, the daughter of former NBA star Xavier McDaniel goes have 10 3-pointers and is shooting 43 percent from 3-point range.
Wiley said McDaniel is an extremely athletic kid who is the fastest player on his AAU team (the South Carolina Seventy-Sixers) who projects to be a combo forward at the next level. He said she has been working extremely hard on extending the range on her jumper and it is paying off.
Until UConn got involved with her in the last couple of weeks, Wiley said she was looking at mostly ACC and SEC schools but wasn't far enough in the process to start publicizing her list. She is obviously intrigued by UConn or she wouldn't be planning to trip up this way and once she gets to visit UConn, she will take the next step of narrowing her list to a final five.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma stayed behind when UConn returned from its Jan. 17 game at North Carolina so he could watch McDaniel play the following day at Lugoff-Eglin. All McDaniel did was score 30 points (on 13 of 19 shooting) and added 16 rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Labels: Xylina McDaniel
posted by Jim Fuller at
4:16 PM
7 Comments:
With all the high school talent out there, why not use 13 to 15 scholarships?
Until another Diana Taurasi or Maya Moore arrives at UConn, 8 or 9 player rotation is better than 6.
2012-13 UConn team shaping up to be Faris, Doty, Hartley, Dolson, Johnson, Engeln, Mosqueda-Lewis, Stokes, Banks, Stewart, Tuck. McDaniel would be a nice 6' 2" addition.
A healthy Caroline Doty along with Elena Delle Donne, Jessica McCormack and Samarie Walker would put the Huskies at 13 players. Geno's been on the record as he doesn't like to go much more than 13 players because it impacts chemistry since you can't get all of them playing time.
If they get four in the Class of 2012, they would have between 12-14 when those kids are freshmen depending on whether Caroline Doty and Heather Buck opt for a fifth year of eligibility.
After her surgery, I read that Caroline Doty stated she would play 2 more seasons. Is that still her plan? I hope that young woman gets to play injury free next season.
If Heather Buck fails to earn a spot in next season's regular rotation, do you think she would return for her 5th year with Breanna Stewart and Morgan Tuck coming onboard?
Thanks.
FYI, Kaleena M-L is the next Diana or Maya!
It seems unfair to Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis to expect her to be the next Diana Taurasi or Maya Moore. KML first has to survive UConn summer camp, UConn preseason, and living 2900 miles from home.
Yes, KML is the #1 ranked recruit in her class by various media. But college basketball competition is a large step up from high school competition and age limited club competition.
Do you remember the players who were labeled the next Michael Jordan? NBA is still looking for the next Michael Jordan who can win 6 championships, 5 MVP awards, 10 scoring titles, and 9 All Defensive first team selections.
Caroline Doty has until shortly before her final home game of next season to make her decision and I'd imagine how she is feeling and playing will have a lot to do with whether she chooses to come back for a fifth season. I do not think you can say definitively that she will be leaving after next season or staying at this point in time.
I think Buck would be able to come back for a fifth season but it's up to her whether she does and what her role would be.
Jim Fuller - Thank you for the informative replies to my questions about Caroline Doty and Heather Buck possibly returning for their 5th seasons on UConn's bench.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home