[BostonCard]

the timing could imply the converse: lepolo knows stanford has 2 or 3 slots remaining (not clear if jenna will return). suppose lepolo sees kiki is visiting, posting photos of having fun with walter rouse. she figures kiki is likely to to use one of those slots. lepolo might well decide she better commit quickly before the remaining slot(s) is/are filled.

I doubt this either.  The article announcing her commitment had its source somewhere, and that somewhere was unlikely to have been the Stanford women's basketball team.  The most likely explanation is that she (or someone close to her) were the source.  It is possible that some subtleties didn't make it through (like, "I'm committed, if I get admitted") that would have held her back from widely announcing.  It appears whatever that caveat was, it was resolved over the visit (again, likely being told she was admitted).

I highly doubt that Lepolo's commitment was in any way related to Rice (though I suppose that the subtlety might have been "my offer is dependent on whether another player they are looking at commits").  But I highly doubt it.  It would be highly awkward to invite two players who are being recruited to the same position and whose commitments would be mutually exclusive to come to the same visit.

Here's my guess: Lepolo is a "plan B", but once enough other recruits no longer became options, it was possible to offer Lepolo regardless of Rice's status.  If Rice commits, great, we have more depth at a critical position and Rice can play the two guard; if Rice commits elsewhere, at least we didn't take a gap year at a critical position.  Perhaps a lesson there for Shaw.

BC

[BostonCard]

the timing could imply the converse: lepolo knows stanford has 2 or 3 slots remaining (not clear if jenna will return). suppose lepolo sees kiki is visiting, posting photos of having fun with walter rouse. she figures kiki is likely to to use one of those slots. lepolo might well decide she better commit quickly before the remaining slot(s) is/are filled.

I doubt this either.  The article announcing her commitment had its source somewhere, and that somewhere was unlikely to have been the Stanford women's basketball team.  The most likely explanation is that she (or someone close to her) were the source.  It is possible that some subtleties didn't make it through (like, "I'm committed, if I get admitted") that would have held her back from widely announcing.  It appears whatever that caveat was, it was resolved over the visit (again, likely being told she was admitted).

I highly doubt that Lepolo's commitment was in any way related to Rice (though I suppose that the subtlety might have been "my offer is dependent on whether another player they are looking at commits").  But I highly doubt it.  It would be highly awkward to invite two players who are being recruited to the same position and whose commitments would be mutually exclusive to come to the same visit.

Here's my guess: Lepolo is a "plan B", but once enough other recruits no longer became options, it was possible to offer Lepolo regardless of Rice's status.  If Rice commits, great, we have more depth at a critical position and Rice can play the two guard; if Rice commits elsewhere, at least we didn't take a gap year at a critical position.  Perhaps a lesson there for Shaw.

BC