I assume the young lady from Scotland is the heir apparent at PG now. I think she was likely to be anyway even if Johnson stayed. What little film I have seen of her does look like she has some skills. Been playing in the British pro league for I think 2 or 3 years already. Also, we we saw this year that Lockett can play PG in a pinch.
On the bigs, I see that 6'3 Caitlin Elseser from Liberty Benton who had signed with Cinci, never showed up on their roster this year. Can't discern why, but reported she may be in the transfer portal.
But, UT could use 1 or 2 grad-transfers, who can play immediately and also add some experience and help balance out the classes.
Was looking over the players listed by wbbblog.com as being in the transfer portal. A few interesting players that I wonder if UT is pursing, in particular:
Mary Dunn 6'3 grad transfer (already a 5th year senior) from Youngstown State. >1000 points and >500 rebounds in her career. Likely she could help the team immediately, and mentor Cook.
Kaela Webb JR PG from Detroit Mercy. Averaged 17 points a game last year and shot 36% from three. Scored 29 against UT earlier this season. Already transferred once from Providence to UDM, but there is all kinds of dissent with the 1st year coach there (former EMU coach Gilbert), and so about half the team has announced they are transferring.
Chelsie Hall grad transfer PG from Vanderbilt. 1000 point scorer who averaged 15 points and almost 5 boards per game this year. Was on the SEC Community Service team.
Jamir Huston 6'0 junior from Miami FL (originally from Cleveland). Didn't play a lot at UM, but did start several games in her career there.
There are several players from Xavier in the portal, and I wonder if Stephens has ties to any of them. Their leading scorer has announced she is transferring to WVU. Although Xavier was all kinds of bad this year, so not sure any of them would be help.
I have no insight into anyone UT might be pursuing, just some names I thought were interesting.
Ariel Cummings, last at WVU, is in the Transfer Portal 6"3" jr.
Caitlin Elseser, Cinci, never played?, is in Transfer Portal, 6'3" fr.
Arieonna Ware, Battle Creek, MI, HS class 2021, F/G, 6'0"
(03-16-2021 10:43 AM)65rocketfan Wrote: Ariel Cummings, last at WVU, is in the Transfer Portal 6"3" jr.
Caitlin Elseser, Cinci, never played?, is in Transfer Portal, 6'3" fr.
Arieonna Ware, Battle Creek, MI, HS class 2021, F/G, 6'0"
I have no info as to degree of coaches' interest.
Welcome to the board 65rocketfan!
I would be shocked if UT or Cummings would be interested in her coming back to UT after the last go round.
I came across this article that maybe sheds some light on Ware. Apparently she quit basketball earlier this year, which explains her not signing an NLI. However, she is back playing again, and just broke the Battle Creek scoring record - for girls or boys. So, I wonder, if there is still a spot open for her at UT if she wants it.
There were reports she trained down in Florida this past off-season, so maybe either she has some ties down there and wanted to move South, or after her training decided she likes Florida better?
Reportedly 543 players in the WBB transfer portal (so far). Hope that UT will be able to find one or two that can help the team next year. A few more interesting names (to me) being they are from the area, so maybe the staff had scouted/recruited them before - or maybe not, I don't know.
Jiselle Thomas, 5'9 JR G (FIU). From Norwalk, OH. Averaged 17 points this season, shot 35% from three.
Kennedi Myles 6'2 SO F (Illinois). From Cincinnati. Averaged 8 boards this season.
Tylar Bennett 6'4 SR C (Clemson). From Redford, MI (Detroit Country Day). 3rd in Clemson history in career blocks.
Up to 623 D1 players in the transfer portal according to wbbblog, and over 100 DII/DIII players.
Biggest MAC name so far is BSU's Oshlyn Brown.
Also I see, DII consensus all-American Lilly Ritz from Wheeling U is in the portal. She averaged 24 points and 18 rebounds this past year. One can wish.
(03-08-2021 09:48 PM)jazzie Wrote: Per raoul at women's hoops blog on Twitter, Cassie Colon, Jala Johnson and Mali Morgan- Elliott have now entered the transfer portal.
No big lose, was not impressed with any of them. I thought MME only started because CC had no one else to start. Time is ticking for CC.
(03-08-2021 09:48 PM)jazzie Wrote: Per raoul at women's hoops blog on Twitter, Cassie Colon, Jala Johnson and Mali Morgan- Elliott have now entered the transfer portal.
No big lose, was not impressed with any of them. I thought MME only started because CC had no one else to start. Time is ticking for CC.
(03-08-2021 09:48 PM)jazzie Wrote: Per raoul at women's hoops blog on Twitter, Cassie Colon, Jala Johnson and Mali Morgan- Elliott have now entered the transfer portal.
692 players in the portal now. Approaching 15% of all D1 players. Lost of P5 teams showing mass exoduses - e.g. 8 from Syracuse, 7 from Texas Tech. 5 from Purdue (mostly starters). Lots of interesting names, and I sure hope the coaches are scouring the list and trying to find some that can help. A few more names I noticed (I am bored with no other exciting Rocket sports news to follow lately):
Dor Saar grad transfer 5'6 G (Maine). From Israel. Three year starter, 1st team all conference. 36% 3 point shooter, 4 assists a game, and a 2 to 1 Assist to turnover ratio.
Tamara Farquhar grad transfer 6'4 C (Purdue). From Quebec - same school as Sarah St-Fort. Started 66 games in her career. Not a big scorer, but could help clog up the middle.
Celena Taborn grad transfer 6'3 C (Furman). From nearby Sidney OH. 1200 point scorer, shooting a career .633 from the field
(03-08-2021 09:48 PM)jazzie Wrote: Per raoul at women's hoops blog on Twitter, Cassie Colon, Jala Johnson and Mali Morgan- Elliott have now entered the transfer portal.
No big lose, was not impressed with any of them. I thought MME only started because CC had no one else to start. Time is ticking for CC.