2023 Recruiting

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What about Ayianna Johnson?
@AyiannaJohnson West Virginia WBB commit, Jefferson, WI, athletic 6'3 post. I'm not suggesting that we should poach, but in the interest of completeness:

WEST VIRGINIA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2023 RECRUITING CLASS​

F Grace Grocholski, 5-10, Kettle Moraine (Wales, WI) – Signed (confirmed by WVU Sports Information)

F Ayianna Johnson, 6-3, Jefferson, (Jefferson, WI) – Signed (confirmed by WVU Sports Information)
 

GeRoe said:
What about Ayianna Johnson?
@AyiannaJohnson West Virginia WBB commit, Jefferson, WI, athletic 6'3 post. I'm not suggesting that we should poach, but in the interest of completeness:

WEST VIRGINIA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2023 RECRUITING CLASS​

F Grace Grocholski, 5-10, Kettle Moraine (Wales, WI) – Signed (confirmed by WVU Sports Information)

F Ayianna Johnson, 6-3, Jefferson, (Jefferson, WI) – Signed (confirmed by WVU Sports Information)
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Oh hell yah, Wisconsin kids coming to the U. Hmm sounds like reverse recruiting to me! Now who does that again……
 

GeRoe said:
What about Ayianna Johnson?
@AyiannaJohnson West Virginia WBB commit, Jefferson, WI, athletic 6'3 post. I'm not suggesting that we should poach,
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Works for 🥚, why not some recruits?
GeRoe said:
but in the interest of completeness:

WEST VIRGINIA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2023 RECRUITING CLASS​

F Grace Grocholski, 5-10, Kettle Moraine (Wales, WI) – Signed (confirmed by WVU Sports Information)

F Ayianna Johnson, 6-3, Jefferson, (Jefferson, WI) – Signed (confirmed by WVU Sports Information)
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GeRoe said:
What about Ayianna Johnson?
@AyiannaJohnson West Virginia WBB commit, Jefferson, WI, athletic 6'3 post. I'm not suggesting that we should poach, but in the interest of completeness:

WEST VIRGINIA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2023 RECRUITING CLASS​

F Grace Grocholski, 5-10, Kettle Moraine (Wales, WI) – Signed (confirmed by WVU Sports Information)

F Ayianna Johnson, 6-3, Jefferson, (Jefferson, WI) – Signed (confirmed by WVU Sports Information)
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If the coach is interested in either at the U (which I’m assuming she would be if she already recruited them to WVU, poach away. Part of the game. With free transfers and NIL, there is no longer any “gentleman’s agreements” in college sports. PJ brought darn near his entire Western Michigan recruiting class with him when he got hired here. The only difference here is it looks like they already both signed their NLI. But on the other side of the fence, the men lost Dennis Gates after he signed his NLI, so I can’t say I feel bad one bit for taking either of these gals.
 

maybe its been talked about. but looks like West Virginia has a gal from Rapid City SD who is a pretty good player for them! maybe she will follow?
 


Chances are close to 100% those girls never end up at West Virginia. Gotta think there will be options closer to home for them.

Grace Grocholski is a top 100 recruit.
 
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Gophs24 said:
maybe its been talked about. but looks like West Virginia has a gal from Rapid City SD who is a pretty good player for them! maybe she will follow?
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Watson has already followed Coach P once, as she spent her freshman year at South Dakota. If she transfers again, I think she'll have to sit out a year.
 

BBJones said:
Watson has already followed Coach P once, as she spent her freshman year at South Dakota. If she transfers again, I think she'll have to sit out a year.
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I think a second transfer folowing a coaching change is an exemption that allows immediate availability.
 

Dawn was gone from coaching South Dakota only 1 year! I wonder if any South Dakota players would like to transfer?
 



ndnae said:
Dawn was gone from coaching South Dakota only 1 year! I wonder if any South Dakota players would like to transfer?
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Would rather have West Virginia transfers if needed. South Dakota was 4th in the Summit at 10-8. Talent levels are different.
 

MaxyJR1 said:
Would rather have West Virginia transfers if needed. South Dakota was 4th in the Summit at 10-8. Talent levels are different.
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Grace Larkins from USD was summit 6th player of the year and then 1st team. She played in a sweet 16. She will be a junior. I would take her in a heartbeat. Especially losing Dom. I’d also really like the 2 wv commits from wisconsin and Frannje Hottinger. I know I’ve said this before, but I just thought people needed to know my hopes and dreams.
 

GeRoe said:
What about Ayianna Johnson?
@AyiannaJohnson West Virginia WBB commit, Jefferson, WI, athletic 6'3 post. I'm not suggesting that we should poach, but in the interest of completeness:

WEST VIRGINIA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2023 RECRUITING CLASS​

F Grace Grocholski, 5-10, Kettle Moraine (Wales, WI) – Signed (confirmed by WVU Sports Information)

F Ayianna Johnson, 6-3, Jefferson, (Jefferson, WI) – Signed (confirmed by WVU Sports Information)
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True and both gals are from Wisconsin. Not sure how all of that fits in with Gopher signees but all of the incoming freshman should get their chance to decide what to do. Next year isn't going to be maybe what they signed up for and they should do what's best for them. I am sympathetic to them, both schools recruits.
 

None of the 2023 recruits were ranked. Losing one or two of those incoming players is not that big of deal.

They all do look interesting. We could see a Sarah Scalia-surprise player or two come from them.
 



Grace Larkins from USD is very good, but I don’t think she is ready for this level. She is very quick, and has good ball skills, but even after 2 years, she’s still learning how to share the ball with others. In addition, she doesn’t have the judgment to stop herself from driving into double and triple coverage. She’s used to being the “best player on the court”, probably from her high school days, and forgets that there are some very good shooters on the court with her. I love the girl dearly, but I think she’s in the right spot to develop her talents and have a successful career.
 








cheeseheadgophfan said:
Lots and lots of injuries.....sad.
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www.espn.com

Arizona loses Ware for season to knee injury

Arizona forward Lauren Ware will miss the 2022-23 season with a right knee injury, leaving the 19th-ranked Wildcats without one of their three returning starters.
www.espn.com www.espn.com

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona forward Lauren Ware will miss the 2022-23 season with a right knee injury, leaving the 19th-ranked Wildcats without one of their three returning starters.

Arizona announced Friday that Ware suffered a second patellar dislocation during a workout in August and elected to have it surgically repaired.

Ware originally injured her knee during a game against North Dakota State last December and missed four games
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ISUnorth said:
Lauren Ware leaving Arizona. Was a top ranked post/forward. Had Gopher's in her top five out of HS didn't she? Coach P will be very familiar with her, ND gal.

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Prior Gophers WBB staff recruited this kid very hard. She was recruited heavily. She is a really good player.
 

Ware has talent, although it will be interesting to see how well she comes back / remains healthy after her well publicized injuries. Down in the Virgin Islands a year and a half ago, our team was scheduled to play right after Arizona. Ware was pretty much a detriment to her team. Yes, she has talent, but her attitude that day, in the game and towards her teammates, was insufferable, especially in the second half. We noticed something similar when we played right after them in Sioux Falls last year as well. Not quite as bad in that game though.
 

Hoopsmom said:
Ware has talent, although it will be interesting to see how well she comes back / remains healthy after her well publicized injuries. Down in the Virgin Islands a year and a half ago, our team was scheduled to play right after Arizona. Ware was pretty much a detriment to her team. Yes, she has talent, but her attitude that day, in the game and towards her teammates, was insufferable, especially in the second half. We noticed something similar when we played right after them in Sioux Falls last year as well. Not quite as bad in that game though.
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Yikes I don’t like this.
 

Maybe not a need or fit for Gophers but Iowa State's starting guard Lexi Donarski has entered the portal. Three year starter and All-Big 12 first team last year and Defensive POY. Dropped to honorable mention and all-defense team this season but was a ESPN #14 and McDonald's All American out of HS in Wisconsin. Big blow to ISU's roster.

Edit: She was a PG in HS and folks thought of her as such but she didn't play PG at ISU

 
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ISUnorth said:
Maybe not a need or fit for Gophers but Iowa State's starting guard Lexi Donarski has entered the portal. Three year starter and All-Big 12 first team last year and Defensive POY. Dropped to honorable mention and all-defense team this season but was a ESPN #14 and McDonald's All American out of HS in Wisconsin. Big blow to ISU's roster.

Edit: She was a PG in HS and folks thought of her as such but she didn't play PG at ISU

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Great defensive players have a spot anywhere. I'm sure if Lexi Donarski had any interest in Minnesota, coach P and staff would be interested in bringing her in to the Gopher WBB.
 

Base on reading these posts, I'm looking for a nice uptick with our roster for the upcoming season. Need to get the assistant coaches on board here and get the boat going.
 

Transfers and assistant coaches will come to light fairly soon. This is always an exciting moment full of hope and optimism. I am happy for the current Gopher players who decided to stay.
 

MaxyJR1 said:
Would rather have West Virginia transfers if needed. South Dakota was 4th in the Summit at 10-8. Talent levels are different.
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might be one but I doubt it. Watson was at South Dakota followed coach P to WV I am sure she is coming to Minnesota
 

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