05-14-2020, 09:15 PM
Disappointing if true, and yes, it does seem like our 2021 class is not turning out quite like we hoped. I do think we've gotten a little wildly optimistic given all the top recruits we have landed, however. Right now we are the only program to land three top 5 recruits in the 2019-2021 classes, and the only one to have one in each. Because some of our recruits like Brink and Demetre committed early, it means that our "big get" recruit happens long before most are highly attuned to that class.
Another thing to remember, and I know I've said it before but it bears repeating, is that top recruits want playing time. Most of the programs that have consistently landed a lot top recruits, like UConn, Tennessee, Duke, and South Carolina, have also seen a lot of them transfer out, something that's a highly, highly undesirable option for Stanford student-athletes. Through the end of the Class of 2021's year, we will have a LOT of top recruits competing for playing time.
Last, remember that we don't always know about door one problems, as Bob likes to put it. Lots of admissions indications for recruited student athletes happen around this time of year as test scores come back, etc., so it's not surprising our pool tends to winnow significantly by end of a recruiting class's junior year. There is a reason why it's very rare for a top recruit like Jones to announce her admission offer months ahead of her decision.
And so much to look forward to over the next few years... once there is basketball again.
Another thing to remember, and I know I've said it before but it bears repeating, is that top recruits want playing time. Most of the programs that have consistently landed a lot top recruits, like UConn, Tennessee, Duke, and South Carolina, have also seen a lot of them transfer out, something that's a highly, highly undesirable option for Stanford student-athletes. Through the end of the Class of 2021's year, we will have a LOT of top recruits competing for playing time.
Last, remember that we don't always know about door one problems, as Bob likes to put it. Lots of admissions indications for recruited student athletes happen around this time of year as test scores come back, etc., so it's not surprising our pool tends to winnow significantly by end of a recruiting class's junior year. There is a reason why it's very rare for a top recruit like Jones to announce her admission offer months ahead of her decision.
And so much to look forward to over the next few years... once there is basketball again.