[Hoops9092]

Unfortunately, for some time I've thought UCLA would be her choice. It's an excellent school, somewhat different vibe than the Farm, and she would be striking out a bit on her own. Close is a great coach and will be there for the next four years for sure. So...

There seems to be some attraction to UCLA for her. I still don't see how one chooses UCLA over Stanford unless direct ties to the program or say proximity, but it isn't a terrible academic nor athletic experience either ;) and perhaps there's an appeal to Los Angeles for a youngster.

[Hoops9092]

Unfortunately, for some time I've thought UCLA would be her choice. It's an excellent school, somewhat different vibe than the Farm, and she would be striking out a bit on her own. Close is a great coach and will be there for the next four years for sure. So...

There seems to be some attraction to UCLA for her. I still don't see how one chooses UCLA over Stanford unless direct ties to the program or say proximity, but it isn't a terrible academic nor athletic experience either ;) and perhaps there's an appeal to Los Angeles for a youngster.

[ca245]

More reading of tea leaves, animal entrails, oracle bones, etc.: in the past, UCLA assistant WBB coach Tasha Brown has posted a "BOOM Watch" in advance of the announcement of a commitment, such as the one linked below for Jacquez. Haven't seen one this time. So a negative inference?
Jacquez BOOM Watch

[ca245]

More reading of tea leaves, animal entrails, oracle bones, etc.: in the past, UCLA assistant WBB coach Tasha Brown has posted a "BOOM Watch" in advance of the announcement of a commitment, such as the one linked below for Jacquez. Haven't seen one this time. So a negative inference?
Jacquez BOOM Watch

[Hoops9092]

Last time someone choose between UConn, Stanford and UCLA — it ended favorable. Erica McCall in 2013. I remember her unzipping the jacket which first showed a UConn sweatshirt, then she took that off and beneath it was a UCLA jacket, then she unzipped that and at last was a Stanford shirt. 

Hopefully less drama in this afternoon's announcement.

[Hoops9092]

Last time someone choose between UConn, Stanford and UCLA — it ended favorable. Erica McCall in 2013. I remember her unzipping the jacket which first showed a UConn sweatshirt, then she took that off and beneath it was a UCLA jacket, then she unzipped that and at last was a Stanford shirt. 

Hopefully less drama in this afternoon's announcement.

[qwerty49]

Kara Lawson UNFOLLOWED KiKi Rice on Instagram last night (ouch!). This would suggest Duke was notified of her decision to go elsewhere last night. I had anticipated Duke to be a very probable destination being a strong academic, “close to home” storyline with a like able, young coach seeking to return their program to prominence. Interesting. 

Meanwhile, Adia Barnes went on Instagram and started posting some cryptic, celebratory “story” of her recruiting coordinator with clapping/dancing hands. I consider Arizona to be the least likely destination of the 5 finalists. 

All so fascinating. Thankfully it’s over today.

Well, as much as I am strongly predicting a Stanford outcome, weirder things can happen....  

Like Adia Barnes could have given Kiki RICE the sales pitch that she will mold her into the next Aari McDONALD who, this time around, will successfully lead Arizona to a national championship, and that somehow greatly appealed to the kid.  Plus the Wildcats also have an elite post player in 6'4 Maya NNAJI coming in, who is ranked #4 overall by the just released evaluation by Prospect Nation (Chris Hansen and Brandon Clay), #7 overall by ASGR and #9 overall by ESPN. 

Yup, you never know....

I am just relieved we dodged Duke. Remember just last year, new head coach Niele Ivey and Notre Dame snagged top PG Olivia Miles, who perhaps otherwise was headed out West. While I imagine Rice likes the young energy of Barnes and Coach Close and the potential for those two schools, at the end of the day, it's going to be awfully hard for a young lady who was raised by Ivy leagures (and attending a DC private high school where the tuition is nearly 50K!) to pass up a Stanford education. Simple as that. 

One new story line, however is her brother is a freshman on the Yale basketball team. Storrs, CT and New Haven are merely an hour or so apart so the siblings being in close proximity could certainly be appealing to them and their parents. Not sure that makes up for the lack of playing time behind Bueckers and Fudd as well as the total difference in academic appeal.

I initially thought Duke may have the slight edge, if anywhere else, simply on the "close to home" tug with a reputable university and the connections of Kara Lawson being from DMV and having played the PG spot (even attended the same school as Rice for a year, Sidwell).

I read that Duke has NINE incoming transfers....was I dreaming or is that really true?!

[qwerty49]

Kara Lawson UNFOLLOWED KiKi Rice on Instagram last night (ouch!). This would suggest Duke was notified of her decision to go elsewhere last night. I had anticipated Duke to be a very probable destination being a strong academic, “close to home” storyline with a like able, young coach seeking to return their program to prominence. Interesting. 

Meanwhile, Adia Barnes went on Instagram and started posting some cryptic, celebratory “story” of her recruiting coordinator with clapping/dancing hands. I consider Arizona to be the least likely destination of the 5 finalists. 

All so fascinating. Thankfully it’s over today.

Well, as much as I am strongly predicting a Stanford outcome, weirder things can happen....  

Like Adia Barnes could have given Kiki RICE the sales pitch that she will mold her into the next Aari McDONALD who, this time around, will successfully lead Arizona to a national championship, and that somehow greatly appealed to the kid.  Plus the Wildcats also have an elite post player in 6'4 Maya NNAJI coming in, who is ranked #4 overall by the just released evaluation by Prospect Nation (Chris Hansen and Brandon Clay), #7 overall by ASGR and #9 overall by ESPN. 

Yup, you never know....

I am just relieved we dodged Duke. Remember just last year, new head coach Niele Ivey and Notre Dame snagged top PG Olivia Miles, who perhaps otherwise was headed out West. While I imagine Rice likes the young energy of Barnes and Coach Close and the potential for those two schools, at the end of the day, it's going to be awfully hard for a young lady who was raised by Ivy leagures (and attending a DC private high school where the tuition is nearly 50K!) to pass up a Stanford education. Simple as that. 

One new story line, however is her brother is a freshman on the Yale basketball team. Storrs, CT and New Haven are merely an hour or so apart so the siblings being in close proximity could certainly be appealing to them and their parents. Not sure that makes up for the lack of playing time behind Bueckers and Fudd as well as the total difference in academic appeal.

I initially thought Duke may have the slight edge, if anywhere else, simply on the "close to home" tug with a reputable university and the connections of Kara Lawson being from DMV and having played the PG spot (even attended the same school as Rice for a year, Sidwell).

I read that Duke has NINE incoming transfers....was I dreaming or is that really true?!

[Baez87]

According to the news reports, we will have the word on Kiki Rice's decision at 3PM MST via her social media page. The coaches are salivating and the fans are waiting with bated breath. 
One of the most personable coaches of the lot, Adia Barnes, could put her team in the limelight for the next four years by adding Kiki to her #4 recruit. And nearly the same could to be said about Tara and company. From what I read from my fellow posters, and I agree, Kiki could be the linchpin of our team for the next few years. But, even without her, we have assembled a very talented team. So enjoy the ride!
https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball...tment-date

[Baez87]

According to the news reports, we will have the word on Kiki Rice's decision at 3PM MST via her social media page. The coaches are salivating and the fans are waiting with bated breath. 
One of the most personable coaches of the lot, Adia Barnes, could put her team in the limelight for the next four years by adding Kiki to her #4 recruit. And nearly the same could to be said about Tara and company. From what I read from my fellow posters, and I agree, Kiki could be the linchpin of our team for the next few years. But, even without her, we have assembled a very talented team. So enjoy the ride!
https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball...tment-date

[Softball Fan]

She has done an amazing, almost unbelievable, job of keeping this secret thus far.  My guess is she won't do anything obvious or even indirect on social media to indicate where she's going prior to her big announcement.

[Softball Fan]

She has done an amazing, almost unbelievable, job of keeping this secret thus far.  My guess is she won't do anything obvious or even indirect on social media to indicate where she's going prior to her big announcement.

[82lsju]

I read that Duke has NINE incoming transfers....was I dreaming or is that really true?!

well their roster shows nine players with a University as their "previous school", three appear to be grad transfers

https://goduke.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster

[82lsju]

I read that Duke has NINE incoming transfers....was I dreaming or is that really true?!

well their roster shows nine players with a University as their "previous school", three appear to be grad transfers

https://goduke.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster

[OutsiderFan]

How did the Pac-12 become the "SEC Football" of women's hoops recruiting?

I'm reading there are SIX Pac-12 teams with Top 10 recruiting classes?!?!?!?

Can someone explain this?

[OutsiderFan]

How did the Pac-12 become the "SEC Football" of women's hoops recruiting?

I'm reading there are SIX Pac-12 teams with Top 10 recruiting classes?!?!?!?

Can someone explain this?

[old spanish trail]

How did the Pac-12 become the "SEC Football" of women's hoops recruiting?

I'm reading there are SIX Pac-12 teams with Top 10 recruiting classes?!?!?!?

Can someone explain this?

Woebegone Pac 12 Network has a lot to do with it. Plus, the coaches are first rate...good personalities and excellent tacticians. And, to her credit, Tara has relentlessly promoted Pac wbb.

[old spanish trail]

How did the Pac-12 become the "SEC Football" of women's hoops recruiting?

I'm reading there are SIX Pac-12 teams with Top 10 recruiting classes?!?!?!?

Can someone explain this?

Woebegone Pac 12 Network has a lot to do with it. Plus, the coaches are first rate...good personalities and excellent tacticians. And, to her credit, Tara has relentlessly promoted Pac wbb.

[PVTree]

How did the Pac-12 become the "SEC Football" of women's hoops recruiting?

I'm reading there are SIX Pac-12 teams with Top 10 recruiting classes?!?!?!?

Can someone explain this?

Bill "Conference of Champions" Walton? :-)


or recent success by the Dux, Zona, Washington, and us getting to the FF.... Not to mention strong Beaver, UCLA, and ASU teams in the recent past.

[PVTree]

How did the Pac-12 become the "SEC Football" of women's hoops recruiting?

I'm reading there are SIX Pac-12 teams with Top 10 recruiting classes?!?!?!?

Can someone explain this?

Bill "Conference of Champions" Walton? :-)


or recent success by the Dux, Zona, Washington, and us getting to the FF.... Not to mention strong Beaver, UCLA, and ASU teams in the recent past.

[PalmTree]

I just noticed she has a line for Business Inquiries, with a contact  e-mail address in her Instagram account info.  Is this the new "norm" for hs/college athletes?

[PalmTree]

I just noticed she has a line for Business Inquiries, with a contact  e-mail address in her Instagram account info.  Is this the new "norm" for hs/college athletes?

[qwerty49]

I just noticed she has a line for Business Inquiries, with a contact  e-mail address in her Instagram account info.  Is this the new "norm" for hs/college athletes?

Might well be the new norm.  Getting ready for $NIL

[qwerty49]

I just noticed she has a line for Business Inquiries, with a contact  e-mail address in her Instagram account info.  Is this the new "norm" for hs/college athletes?

Might well be the new norm.  Getting ready for $NIL

[crackpot]

ARRRghahijkj1lk2j3ij4kjl1j'lkja*&^%$#@!!!!!!

Can't believe I've let a 17 year old hold my joy hostage like this.

[crackpot]

ARRRghahijkj1lk2j3ij4kjl1j'lkja*&^%$#@!!!!!!

Can't believe I've let a 17 year old hold my joy hostage like this.

[TrumpCard]

I just noticed she has a line for Business Inquiries, with a contact  e-mail address in her Instagram account info.  Is this the new "norm" for hs/college athletes?

Might well be the new norm.  Getting ready for $NIL

This is exactly right.  The contact email is for an agency that's promoting her.  Student athletes didn't have agents in the past, and there are 100 reasons it would be a terrible idea for them to field inquiries from random people offering money.  Now, with hiring agents being kosher, it's completely doable.

[TrumpCard]

I just noticed she has a line for Business Inquiries, with a contact  e-mail address in her Instagram account info.  Is this the new "norm" for hs/college athletes?

Might well be the new norm.  Getting ready for $NIL

This is exactly right.  The contact email is for an agency that's promoting her.  Student athletes didn't have agents in the past, and there are 100 reasons it would be a terrible idea for them to field inquiries from random people offering money.  Now, with hiring agents being kosher, it's completely doable.

[JustAnotherFan]

She's probably coming to Stanford. Her latest IG post has 17 comments on it. She did not like the comment about UConn. The only other two schools anyone mentioned were Stanford (2x) and UCLA (in a post with Stanford) and she liked both of them. So while it might be UCLA I don't think she will choose them. The posts are:

Kiki + Tara = Championship [tree][fire][nerd]

I hope it's Stanford.. My bet is UCLA [inspecting emoji]

[JustAnotherFan]

She's probably coming to Stanford. Her latest IG post has 17 comments on it. She did not like the comment about UConn. The only other two schools anyone mentioned were Stanford (2x) and UCLA (in a post with Stanford) and she liked both of them. So while it might be UCLA I don't think she will choose them. The posts are:

Kiki + Tara = Championship [tree][fire][nerd]

I hope it's Stanford.. My bet is UCLA [inspecting emoji]

[Hoops9092]

Here we go. Final moments dreaming of a PG Kiki Rice, SF Haley Jones, PF Cam Brink, C Lauren Betts line-up! Let's see if it falls into place

[Hoops9092]

Here we go. Final moments dreaming of a PG Kiki Rice, SF Haley Jones, PF Cam Brink, C Lauren Betts line-up! Let's see if it falls into place

[JustAnotherFan]

She's probably coming to Stanford. Her latest IG post has 17 comments on it. She did not like the comment about UConn. The only other two schools anyone mentioned were Stanford (2x) and UCLA (in a post with Stanford) and she liked both of them. So while it might be UCLA I don't think she will choose them. The posts are:

Kiki + Tara = Championship [tree][fire][nerd]

I hope it's Stanford.. My bet is UCLA [inspecting emoji]

Well I was wrong. UCLA it is. https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recr...mmits-ucla

[JustAnotherFan]

She's probably coming to Stanford. Her latest IG post has 17 comments on it. She did not like the comment about UConn. The only other two schools anyone mentioned were Stanford (2x) and UCLA (in a post with Stanford) and she liked both of them. So while it might be UCLA I don't think she will choose them. The posts are:

Kiki + Tara = Championship [tree][fire][nerd]

I hope it's Stanford.. My bet is UCLA [inspecting emoji]

Well I was wrong. UCLA it is. https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recr...mmits-ucla

[Hoops9092]

Wow. What a snag by Cori Close and UCLA

[Hoops9092]

Wow. What a snag by Cori Close and UCLA

[joemontes]

She's probably coming to Stanford. Her latest IG post has 17 comments on it. She did not like the comment about UConn. The only other two schools anyone mentioned were Stanford (2x) and UCLA (in a post with Stanford) and she liked both of them. So while it might be UCLA I don't think she will choose them. The posts are:

Kiki + Tara = Championship [tree][fire][nerd]

I hope it's Stanford.. My bet is UCLA [inspecting emoji]

Well I was wrong. UCLA it is. https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recr...mmits-ucla

Wow! Just Wow!  

But, congratulations to Kiki RICE and UCLA.  At least, the PAC 12 gets stronger.

[joemontes]

She's probably coming to Stanford. Her latest IG post has 17 comments on it. She did not like the comment about UConn. The only other two schools anyone mentioned were Stanford (2x) and UCLA (in a post with Stanford) and she liked both of them. So while it might be UCLA I don't think she will choose them. The posts are:

Kiki + Tara = Championship [tree][fire][nerd]

I hope it's Stanford.. My bet is UCLA [inspecting emoji]

Well I was wrong. UCLA it is. https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recr...mmits-ucla

Wow! Just Wow!  

But, congratulations to Kiki RICE and UCLA.  At least, the PAC 12 gets stronger.

[BosCard]

Wow. What a snag by Cori Close and UCLA

Well if it wasn't going to be us, then happy it's a PAC-12 school.  And happy its not UConn.  I don't really understand how Rice, fellow '22 Londynn Jones and '23 Jada Williams can all play point guard and all have the ball in their hands at the same time though.

[BosCard]

Wow. What a snag by Cori Close and UCLA

Well if it wasn't going to be us, then happy it's a PAC-12 school.  And happy its not UConn.  I don't really understand how Rice, fellow '22 Londynn Jones and '23 Jada Williams can all play point guard and all have the ball in their hands at the same time though.