Gator Country

EastTNG8TR · 08-15-2012, 05:34 AM

I did this last year for the fans who follow the women's team and figured I'd compile some recruiting info into one place for everyone because it is hard to find much info out there for recruiting on the women's side. I narrowed it down to 13 prospects that could end up in the orange and blue....there very well could be more out there with a good possibility but these are the names I would keep an eye on. I will give the player's position and stats as listed on ESPN Hoopgurlz....though stats and even positions vary from site to site. HG, BS, NL, and WB are the national rank of each girl on Hoopgurlz, Blue Star, Next Level, and the Women's Basketball Insider respectively..... Here goes:

Adrienne Motley: 5'9 PG from Newport News, Virginia (HG 40, BS 39, NL UR, WB UR) is down to a final 5 of UF, FSU, Miami, Va Tech and Marshall.

Raigyne Moncrief: 5'10 G from Lauderhill, Florida (HG UR, BS UR, NL 10, WB 24) is reportedly down to UF, FSU, Miami, and NC State...though I have also seen it stated that she has not officially trimmed her list down yet.

Kai James: 6'4 C/P from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (HG 29, BS 70, NL 19, WB 8) is officially down to UF, FSU, Miami, Clemson, UGA, and Oklahoma. She is the sister of Joel James who is at UNC.

Ronni Williams: 6'0 W from Daytona Beach, Florida (HG 14, BS 27, NL 25, WB 21) is officially down to UF, FSU, UGA, Baylor, and Tennessee. Her father, Rodney, played two years at UF. My guess is this is Butler's top target along with Kai James.

Faith Woodard: 6'2 F from Brandon, Florida (UR nationally but a 3 star player on HG with a grade of 90) has a considering list of Bama, Auburn, UF, Miami, South, Carolina, USF, and UCF. Possibly a secondary option but a very solid player none the less....for perspective she is rated similar to what Jennifer George was in high school.

Shanae Armbrister: 6'0 W from Dania Beach, Florida (HG 59, BS 81, NL 114, WB 58) shows a considering list of FSU, UF, USF, Miami, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Va Tech on HG. She was committed to FSU at one point but has since decommitted.

Marques Webb: 6'0 F from Montgomery, Alabama (HG 24, BS 37, NL 94, WB 69) has a list of UF, FSU, Ga Tech, UGA, UK, Clemson, UT, and Baylor on HG.

The next set of girls do not have any lists of schools that I have found but are each either mentioned in articles or I know they are in communication with UF via some means, ie twitter, FB, etc and are also within a close proximity to UF.

Shayla Cooper: 6'1 F from Norcross, Georgia (HG 28, BS 58, NL 41, WB 45). Plays AAU ball with Essence Purple out of Florida.

Ieshia Small: 6'0 W from Miami, Florida (HG 13, BS 11, NL 21, WB 31).

Ivey Slaughter: 6'1 F from Lizella, Georgia (HG UR, BS UR, NL 34, WB 86). ESPN HG seems pretty high on this girl from articles, but for some reason her name doesn't show up when you search their database.

Erica Young: 6'2 F from Tampa, Florida ( HG UR, BS UR, NL 81, WB 88). My guess is Young, Slaughter, or Woodard will be in the class...but first dibs at the F slot are held for Cooper or Webb...possibly even Williams at F depending on who else signs.

Trimaine McCullough: 5'9 PG from Orlando, Florida (HG UR, BS UR, NL 58, WB 15). Very solid prospect but I think first dibs in the class will be for either Motley or Moncrief.

Lastly, another name to watch that is not Class of 2013 is Lauren Engeln, a 5'11 G from Laguna Hills, California. She is transferring from UCONN with 2 years of eligibility left. The ESPN article on her transfer mentions Boston College, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Oregon, and USC as possible destinations. She was rated 95 nationally by HG in her class...as well as 39 on BS and 14 on All Star Girl's Report.

Singaporegator · 08-15-2012, 09:24 AM

Thanks!

LabraGator · 08-15-2012, 09:29 AM

Thanks for the information. What time period would this group be signing?

EastTNG8TR · 08-15-2012, 09:37 AM

I believe early signing period is in November....most in women's hoops sign then. We have room for at least 4, barring transfers so the next couple of months should be interesting because the timeframe is dwindling. Engeln I would imagine will make a decision soon in order to be enrolled somewhere for fall.

LabraGator · 08-15-2012, 09:48 AM

Hopefully things go well. Admittedly, the women's team hasn't attracted a lot of my attention in the past. Having a daughter just turned four, the prospect of successful program in town is appealing.

She's already into the gymnastics, and we may have to go see some diving after her reaction to the Olympics.

Gatorgal04 · 08-15-2012, 10:41 AM

Thanks so much, EastTN. Great stuff!

**MJGator8104** · 08-15-2012, 05:00 PM

Thanks, EastTN, do you have any idea what our needs are for wbball? Info on the women's team seems to be greatly lacking lately...

EastTNG8TR · 08-15-2012, 05:50 PM

The coverage has been terrible. I don't think I have seen one article from UF's side about the incoming transfer of Cassie Peoples, who was a McDonald's All American PG 2 years ago that signed with Texas. There was at least some coverage for the other incoming transfer in Vicky McIntyre of Oklahoma State...6'6 center who will be the tallest player in UF history. The needs probably vary according to whom you ask. Butler significantly upgraded the roster talent wise this year, but it is mostly very young and/or sitting out per transfer rules this year. Not sure if Peoples can pick up a medical redshirt for her year at Texas but if she comes in as a Sophomore next year that sophomore class will have 7 members, and there are quite a few guards on roster as well.... then again Butler isn't afraid to play a guard centric lineup. My ideal scenario would have us signing one Wing, one Forward, and one Center as well as adding the UConn girl at the two to replace Andrea Vilaro who is no longer on the team (another bit you never see mentioned in the coverage for the women). My guess is UF will sign another guard though...there is room right now for only 4 slots but I anticipate a guard transferring out. Three point guards in that Sophomore class next year makes me think someone of the three is not going to get the playing time they want for several years. All that said the dream/ideal class, imo, would be James, Cooper, and Williams (she can play W or PF) alongside one of Engeln, Motley, and Moncrief.

Singaporegator · 08-15-2012, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastTNG8TR

The coverage has been terrible. I don't think I have seen one article from UF's side about the incoming transfer of Cassie Peoples, who was a McDonald's All American PG 2 years ago that signed with Texas. There was at least some coverage for the other incoming transfer in Vicky McIntyre of Oklahoma State...6'6 center who will be the tallest player in UF history. The needs probably vary according to whom you ask. Butler significantly upgraded the roster talent wise this year, but it is mostly very young and/or sitting out per transfer rules this year. Not sure if Peoples can pick up a medical redshirt for her year at Texas but if she comes in as a Sophomore next year that sophomore class will have 7 members, and there are quite a few guards on roster as well.... then again Butler isn't afraid to play a guard centric lineup. My ideal scenario would have us signing one Wing, one Forward, and one Center as well as adding the UConn girl at the two to replace Andrea Vilaro who is no longer on the team (another bit you never see mentioned in the coverage for the women). My guess is UF will sign another guard though...there is room right now for only 4 slots but I anticipate a guard transferring out. Three point guards in that Sophomore class next year makes me think someone of the three is not going to get the playing time they want for several years. All that said the dream/ideal class, imo, would be James, Cooper, and Williams (she can play W or PF) alongside one of Engeln, Motley, and Moncrief.

You are correct, we know nothing! Can you comment on the two situations? Was Andrea homesick? Family issues? And how important is Peoples?

G2MGA · 08-15-2012, 07:38 PM

Great analysis of the potential recruits. I think it's interesting to note how ofter we are competing against Miami and FSU here, which is unusual for this program and a good sign that we are now being looked at as a viable option for the top in-state recruits who have largely been funneled out-of-state to the likes of UGA, UNC, LSU, etc. over the past decade. I'm pretty sure we haven't landed a HS recruit from south Florida since Carol Ross was the HC, so getting James (and possible package deal with AAU teammate Moncrief) IMHO would be the biggest coup for Butler.

I wasn't aware that Vilaro wasn't returning. For those that are wondering, apparently she has signed to play professionally with the same team as Azania Stewart in the Spanish pro league. Probably not a bad decision for her all things considered, but it's a tough blow for this upcoming season, where 6 of our 10 eligible players will be freshmen.

Singaporegator · 08-15-2012, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G2MGA

Great analysis of the potential recruits. I think it's interesting to note how ofter we are competing against Miami and FSU here, which is unusual for this program and a good sign that we are now being looked at as a viable option for the top in-state recruits who have largely been funneled out-of-state to the likes of UGA, UNC, LSU, etc. over the past decade. I'm pretty sure we haven't landed a HS recruit from south Florida since Carol Ross was the HC, so getting James (and possible package deal with AAU teammate Moncrief) IMHO would be the biggest coup for Butler.

I wasn't aware that Vilaro wasn't returning. For those that are wondering, apparently she has signed to play professionally with the same team as Azania Stewart in the Spanish pro league. Probably not a bad decision for her all things considered, but it's a tough blow for this upcoming season, where 6 of our 10 eligible players will be freshmen.

Thanks!

EastTNG8TR · 08-15-2012, 08:25 PM

I would imagine the death of Andrea's mother and the distance from her family played key roles. I think she is doing what is best for her and her family. As for Peoples, she was one of the elite recruits in the country and the highest rated player UF has had in a while. I have heard some mention of McIntyre applying for a waiver to play this year....whether that is accurate or not I have no idea, but she would be a huge addition to this year's team. If so my guess at a roster breakdown would be....

PG: Jaterra Bonds, January Miller
SG: Chandler Cooper, Carlie Needles
SF: Kayla Lewis, Sydney Moss
PF: Jennifer George, Lily Svete, Christen Mercer
C: Vicky McIntyre, Viktorija Dimaite

**MJGator8104** · 08-16-2012, 01:44 PM

Thanks EastTN and G2MGA.

I had no idea Vilaro wasn't returning; however, if the her reasoning is as G2MGA stated, I wouldn't blame her for essentially going home after her Mother's death and I applaud her for staying thru last season after her Mom died.

EastTNG8TR · 08-16-2012, 05:50 PM

ESPN just updated their rankings...Moncrief made a huge jump to top 20 and a 5 star recruit. McCullough, Slaughter, and Woodard are all top 100 as well.

swampgas44 · 08-16-2012, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJGator8104

Thanks EastTN and G2MGA.

I had no idea Vilaro wasn't returning; however, if the her reasoning is as G2MGA stated, I wouldn't blame her for essentially going home after her Mother's death and I applaud her for staying thru last season after her Mom died.

She signed a contract to play in the Spanish league and is on the same team as Azania Stewart.

G2MGA · 08-16-2012, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastTNG8TR

ESPN just updated their rankings...Moncrief made a huge jump to top 20 and a 5 star recruit. McCullough, Slaughter, and Woodard are all top 100 as well.

http://espn.go.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/rankings/_/class/2013

It's not updated on ESPN yet, but McCullough (#98) has recently committed to USF.

Still, looking at the ESPN list, this is an incredibly and unusually strong high school class in Florida (4 of the top 25, 10 of the top 100) and with many of them apparently preferring to stay in state, this is really looking like a make-or-break year for Coach Butler and staff on the recruiting trail. If we can keep a few of these top players home to add to last year's haul, things could really be looking up for this program.

**Juggernautz** · 08-17-2012, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastTNG8TR

I did this last year for the fans who follow the women's team and figured I'd compile some recruiting info into one place for everyone because it is hard to find much info out there for recruiting on the women's side. I narrowed it down to 13 prospects that could end up in the orange and blue....there very well could be more out there with a good possibility but these are the names I would keep an eye on. I will give the player's position and stats as listed on ESPN Hoopgurlz....though stats and even positions vary from site to site. HG, BS, NL, and WB are the national rank of each girl on Hoopgurlz, Blue Star, Next Level, and the Women's Basketball Insider respectively..... Here goes:

Adrienne Motley: 5'9 PG from Newport News, Virginia (HG 40, BS 39, NL UR, WB UR) is down to a final 5 of UF, FSU, Miami, Va Tech and Marshall.

Raigyne Moncrief: 5'10 G from Lauderhill, Florida (HG UR, BS UR, NL 10, WB 24) is reportedly down to UF, FSU, Miami, and NC State...though I have also seen it stated that she has not officially trimmed her list down yet.

Kai James: 6'4 C/P from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (HG 29, BS 70, NL 19, WB 8) is officially down to UF, FSU, Miami, Clemson, UGA, and Oklahoma. She is the sister of Joel James who is at UNC.

Ronni Williams: 6'0 W from Daytona Beach, Florida (HG 14, BS 27, NL 25, WB 21) is officially down to UF, FSU, UGA, Baylor, and Tennessee. Her father, Rodney, played two years at UF. My guess is this is Butler's top target along with Kai James.

Faith Woodard: 6'2 F from Brandon, Florida (UR nationally but a 3 star player on HG with a grade of 90) has a considering list of Bama, Auburn, UF, Miami, South, Carolina, USF, and UCF. Possibly a secondary option but a very solid player none the less....for perspective she is rated similar to what Jennifer George was in high school.

Shanae Armbrister: 6'0 W from Dania Beach, Florida (HG 59, BS 81, NL 114, WB 58) shows a considering list of FSU, UF, USF, Miami, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Va Tech on HG. She was committed to FSU at one point but has since decommitted.

Marques Webb: 6'0 F from Montgomery, Alabama (HG 24, BS 37, NL 94, WB 69) has a list of UF, FSU, Ga Tech, UGA, UK, Clemson, UT, and Baylor on HG.

The next set of girls do not have any lists of schools that I have found but are each either mentioned in articles or I know they are in communication with UF via some means, ie twitter, FB, etc and are also within a close proximity to UF.

Shayla Cooper: 6'1 F from Norcross, Georgia (HG 28, BS 58, NL 41, WB 45). Plays AAU ball with Essence Purple out of Florida.

Ieshia Small: 6'0 W from Miami, Florida (HG 13, BS 11, NL 21, WB 31).

Ivey Slaughter: 6'1 F from Lizella, Georgia (HG UR, BS UR, NL 34, WB 86). ESPN HG seems pretty high on this girl from articles, but for some reason her name doesn't show up when you search their database.

Erica Young: 6'2 F from Tampa, Florida ( HG UR, BS UR, NL 81, WB 88). My guess is Young, Slaughter, or Woodard will be in the class...but first dibs at the F slot are held for Cooper or Webb...possibly even Williams at F depending on who else signs.

Trimaine McCullough: 5'9 PG from Orlando, Florida (HG UR, BS UR, NL 58, WB 15). Very solid prospect but I think first dibs in the class will be for either Motley or Moncrief.

Lastly, another name to watch that is not Class of 2013 is Lauren Engeln, a 5'11 G from Laguna Hills, California. She is transferring from UCONN with 2 years of eligibility left. The ESPN article on her transfer mentions Boston College, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Oregon, and USC as possible destinations. She was rated 95 nationally by HG in her class...as well as 39 on BS and 14 on All Star Girl's Report.

So the questions begs, which of the Gals will be Gators in your humble opinion?

EastTNG8TR · 08-17-2012, 07:08 AM

First....ESPN HG just updated their rankings and it makes the list even better as they expanded from 60 to 100. One name on the list that I forgot in my list is Sydnei McCaskill, a 5'6 PG from Orlando ranked 86. Moncrief made a huge jump to 5 stars at number 18....the others on HG are Williams 13, Small 19, Webb 21, James 22, Motley 27, Cooper 35, Armbrister 61, Slaughter 79, Woodard 89, and McCullough 98.

My prediction on the class....a lot of guessing reading tea leaves online.... is that Ronni Williams and one of Faith Woodard or Ivey Slaughter will be in the class. The other slots are for James and Moncrief imo if they want in....I believe Moncrief and James will go to the same school and it will be UF or Miami so I will give an optimistic prediction of James, Moncrief, Williams, and Woodard.....if we don't get James and Moncrief switch in Motley and One of Young/Armbrister.....either one would be the best class UF has ever signed.

**MJGator8104** · 08-17-2012, 03:37 PM

^^^^^ Here's hoping it happens and soon! Again, thanks EastTN.

EastTNG8TR · 08-20-2012, 11:58 PM

Lauren Engeln is officially off the board. She is transferring to Boston College. So Engeln and McCullough can be taken off the list...but there might be one to add. Nina Davis, a 6'1 wing/forward rated 52 on ESPN, is a name to at least keep an eye on, even though Espn doesn't show UF on her list. Also, Faith Woodard has not eliminated UF but they are not in her top 3 right now....I am wondering if UF maybe is holding out an offer to see what others may do. I am on my phone now, but will try to keep the list updated when I get a chance.