[WBB fan]

I generally agree that the truly elite basketball players are almost always recognized prior to college and are highly ranked.  However, many players make big contributions and develop late.   I guess the question is whether we can repeat as national champions without a truly elite point guard if we have elite players at several other positions. 

Some would argue we already have.  Williams was an excellent guard, but did not come in billed as a point guard. 

Anna Wilson, however--if she can stay healthy--might be just what we need during a transition year.  Very highly regarded (46th) and with 6 years in the program I am hopeful that she has the experience and maturity to guide the ship.  She had a lot of assists in high school--I presume she was a point guard then.  Then keep in mind that Van Gytenbeek was actually ranked higher than Anna, but obviously has a lot less experience.

My perusal of old ESPN ranking charts might be off somewhere, but here is what I think I found:

McPhee was a 25  (Kelsey Plum was a 26)  They were within the top 30, but were not considered truly elite players when recruited.
Anna Wilson was ranked 46.
Karlie Samuelson was 77
Lili Thompson was not in the ESPN 100
Bri Roberson was not in the ESPN 100
Lindy LaRocque was not in the ESPN 100.

Paopao at Oregon was 11, the same as Amber Orange.
Van Gytenbeek was 39, a lot higher than Karlie
Sara James, on the other hand, was 18--but whether due to injuries or whatever certainly did not have the same impact as many ranked higher.

I think the stand-out example here is Lili Thompson. Not ranked in top 100, probably would not have been in top 200. But she was very, very good, started as a freshman. I think we sometimes forget how good she was as a way to get past all the problems at the end.

[WBB fan]

I generally agree that the truly elite basketball players are almost always recognized prior to college and are highly ranked.  However, many players make big contributions and develop late.   I guess the question is whether we can repeat as national champions without a truly elite point guard if we have elite players at several other positions. 

Some would argue we already have.  Williams was an excellent guard, but did not come in billed as a point guard. 

Anna Wilson, however--if she can stay healthy--might be just what we need during a transition year.  Very highly regarded (46th) and with 6 years in the program I am hopeful that she has the experience and maturity to guide the ship.  She had a lot of assists in high school--I presume she was a point guard then.  Then keep in mind that Van Gytenbeek was actually ranked higher than Anna, but obviously has a lot less experience.

My perusal of old ESPN ranking charts might be off somewhere, but here is what I think I found:

McPhee was a 25  (Kelsey Plum was a 26)  They were within the top 30, but were not considered truly elite players when recruited.
Anna Wilson was ranked 46.
Karlie Samuelson was 77
Lili Thompson was not in the ESPN 100
Bri Roberson was not in the ESPN 100
Lindy LaRocque was not in the ESPN 100.

Paopao at Oregon was 11, the same as Amber Orange.
Van Gytenbeek was 39, a lot higher than Karlie
Sara James, on the other hand, was 18--but whether due to injuries or whatever certainly did not have the same impact as many ranked higher.

I think the stand-out example here is Lili Thompson. Not ranked in top 100, probably would not have been in top 200. But she was very, very good, started as a freshman. I think we sometimes forget how good she was as a way to get past all the problems at the end.