[AxeMan89]

PAC getting very strong. Good to see that at least. Now hopefully Nivar feels there's room for her.

[AxeMan89]

PAC getting very strong. Good to see that at least. Now hopefully Nivar feels there's room for her.

[Hoops9092]

Maybe this will lead to more top recruits heading to Westwood, but I am not sure UCLA hit the potential the last time they landed someone this big (IE their 2014 #1 ranked class with Canada, Caldwell, Billings, Drummer, Hayes) — Just an NIT, Sweet 16 and Elite 8 appearance. We shall see. Congrats to the Rice family though and of course, Coach Close. An amazing snag to pull her out West and keep her from US.

[Hoops9092]

Maybe this will lead to more top recruits heading to Westwood, but I am not sure UCLA hit the potential the last time they landed someone this big (IE their 2014 #1 ranked class with Canada, Caldwell, Billings, Drummer, Hayes) — Just an NIT, Sweet 16 and Elite 8 appearance. We shall see. Congrats to the Rice family though and of course, Coach Close. An amazing snag to pull her out West and keep her from US.

[qwerty49]

Sorry, gotta admit I'm a sore loser. If she was admitted, it hurts even more.

[qwerty49]

Sorry, gotta admit I'm a sore loser. If she was admitted, it hurts even more.

[Card10Fan]

UCLA is overloaded with guards. Call me surprised. Didn’t think they had a chance against us. Our streak of missing on elite guards continues. Nivar is next. Sigh…

[Card10Fan]

UCLA is overloaded with guards. Call me surprised. Didn’t think they had a chance against us. Our streak of missing on elite guards continues. Nivar is next. Sigh…

[PalmTree]

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.

All good points and yes, the consolation prize is that it's NOT UConn. We're in good shape as it is and hopefully this helps us land Indya Nivar - otherwise, get used to "survive and advance" in the Pac-12.....

[PalmTree]

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.

All good points and yes, the consolation prize is that it's NOT UConn. We're in good shape as it is and hopefully this helps us land Indya Nivar - otherwise, get used to "survive and advance" in the Pac-12.....

[jonnyss]

i'm disappointed but not shocked. a lot of her photos emphasize her appearance. hollywood is nearby.

[jonnyss]

i'm disappointed but not shocked. a lot of her photos emphasize her appearance. hollywood is nearby.

[Hoops9092]

When Skylar Diggins selected Notre Dame I said no way she's going to ever get to a Final Four with a team that was like a #7 or #10 seed the prior year in the tourney, and then look at the quick work she made while there, went just as many times as we did in that span (3 of 4 years). 

So I do wish Kiki the best, but in a few years it'll be interesting to see if she ever gets out of a regional final at UCLA. If they couldn't do it with Jordin Canada and Mo Billings and that class, I am not sure they'll be able to do it now. We shall see.

[Hoops9092]

When Skylar Diggins selected Notre Dame I said no way she's going to ever get to a Final Four with a team that was like a #7 or #10 seed the prior year in the tourney, and then look at the quick work she made while there, went just as many times as we did in that span (3 of 4 years). 

So I do wish Kiki the best, but in a few years it'll be interesting to see if she ever gets out of a regional final at UCLA. If they couldn't do it with Jordin Canada and Mo Billings and that class, I am not sure they'll be able to do it now. We shall see.

[cardfan77]

While I am glad it is not UConn, I am bitter AF.

I hope Stanford goes on a winning streak against Kiki and UCLA.  :)
 

[cardfan77]

While I am glad it is not UConn, I am bitter AF.

I hope Stanford goes on a winning streak against Kiki and UCLA.  :)
 

[Deejaatee]

This is not surprising. Kiki had a great summer working with Cory Close. And one thing Cory does well is coach point guards. I say, “Bring It”. We have three very talented ladies here and coming in at the point position so I think we are set with Van Gytenbeek, Harriel, and Leopolo (who I think is going to surprise a lot of people).

[Deejaatee]

This is not surprising. Kiki had a great summer working with Cory Close. And one thing Cory does well is coach point guards. I say, “Bring It”. We have three very talented ladies here and coming in at the point position so I think we are set with Van Gytenbeek, Harriel, and Leopolo (who I think is going to surprise a lot of people).

[PVTree]

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

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

Exactly how I feel. I said never again after KLS chose Yukon. I'm a sore loser also when it comes to recruits that have Stanford ties and choose to go elsewhere when they have the option of attending Stanford.

I got my hopes up for Fudd but not as much as I did for Rice.

[PVTree]

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

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

Exactly how I feel. I said never again after KLS chose Yukon. I'm a sore loser also when it comes to recruits that have Stanford ties and choose to go elsewhere when they have the option of attending Stanford.

I got my hopes up for Fudd but not as much as I did for Rice.

[crackpot]

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

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

Exactly how I feel. I said never again after KLS chose Yukon. I'm a sore loser also when it comes to recruits that have Stanford ties and choose to go elsewhere when they have the option of attending Stanford.

I got my hopes up for Fudd but not as much as I did for Rice.

Same. Same.

[crackpot]

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

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

Exactly how I feel. I said never again after KLS chose Yukon. I'm a sore loser also when it comes to recruits that have Stanford ties and choose to go elsewhere when they have the option of attending Stanford.

I got my hopes up for Fudd but not as much as I did for Rice.

Same. Same.

[chimera]

I wish her well, but I also don't get that choice given their guard situation.  They have too many top guards, if that can even be a thing.  Is she going to push Osborne out when she comes in with Osborne a junior?  What does Londynn Jones, another top guard going to UCLA who is a point, think of this?  They all can't play the point, as pointed out above, and playing the point is key to getting a better shot at the WNBA, all that stuff.  Close has done better getting her talent to be a cohesive and winning team in the past few years than she used to but still and all, she is what I think of as a prime example of a decent coach but not a great one, whose teams have generally not played up to the talent level.  She had the WNBA rookie of the year for this year on her team, plus Canada, who is in the WNBA, etc., and not all that much to show for it.  Maybe Rice takes them to the next level?  Is she that good?  

I hope Nivar sees plenty of playing time and says yes.

[chimera]

I wish her well, but I also don't get that choice given their guard situation.  They have too many top guards, if that can even be a thing.  Is she going to push Osborne out when she comes in with Osborne a junior?  What does Londynn Jones, another top guard going to UCLA who is a point, think of this?  They all can't play the point, as pointed out above, and playing the point is key to getting a better shot at the WNBA, all that stuff.  Close has done better getting her talent to be a cohesive and winning team in the past few years than she used to but still and all, she is what I think of as a prime example of a decent coach but not a great one, whose teams have generally not played up to the talent level.  She had the WNBA rookie of the year for this year on her team, plus Canada, who is in the WNBA, etc., and not all that much to show for it.  Maybe Rice takes them to the next level?  Is she that good?  

I hope Nivar sees plenty of playing time and says yes.

[TheWildJacko]

Dang. Was really hoping she'd pick us. Glad it's not UCONN. On the other hand, we did not have a #2-level player at PG this year and we still won the title.

Also, didn't UCLA have, like, a ton of players out last season due to COVID and injury, to the point where they had at least one player coming in early out of HS to play for them? So they had their fair share of troubles last season. And they did beat us once (admittedly, while we were shorthanded)...

[TheWildJacko]

Dang. Was really hoping she'd pick us. Glad it's not UCONN. On the other hand, we did not have a #2-level player at PG this year and we still won the title.

Also, didn't UCLA have, like, a ton of players out last season due to COVID and injury, to the point where they had at least one player coming in early out of HS to play for them? So they had their fair share of troubles last season. And they did beat us once (admittedly, while we were shorthanded)...

[Card10Fan]

How can UCLA get quality guard after quality guard and we can't recruit guards worth a crap. That's the missing piece for us. I'll feel better if Nivar picks Stanford. If not, just another disappointment. We've had so many misses with guards, it's hard to even remember them all. 

I wish her well, but I also don't get that choice given their guard situation.  They have too many top guards, if that can even be a thing.  Is she going to push Osborne out when she comes in with Osborne a junior?  What does Londynn Jones, another top guard going to UCLA who is a point, think of this?  They all can't play the point, as pointed out above, and playing the point is key to getting a better shot at the WNBA, all that stuff.  Close has done better getting her talent to be a cohesive and winning team in the past few years than she used to but still and all, she is what I think of as a prime example of a decent coach but not a great one, whose teams have generally not played up to the talent level.  She had the WNBA rookie of the year for this year on her team, plus Canada, who is in the WNBA, etc., and not all that much to show for it.  Maybe Rice takes them to the next level?  Is she that good?  

I hope Nivar sees plenty of playing time and says yes.

[Card10Fan]

How can UCLA get quality guard after quality guard and we can't recruit guards worth a crap. That's the missing piece for us. I'll feel better if Nivar picks Stanford. If not, just another disappointment. We've had so many misses with guards, it's hard to even remember them all. 

I wish her well, but I also don't get that choice given their guard situation.  They have too many top guards, if that can even be a thing.  Is she going to push Osborne out when she comes in with Osborne a junior?  What does Londynn Jones, another top guard going to UCLA who is a point, think of this?  They all can't play the point, as pointed out above, and playing the point is key to getting a better shot at the WNBA, all that stuff.  Close has done better getting her talent to be a cohesive and winning team in the past few years than she used to but still and all, she is what I think of as a prime example of a decent coach but not a great one, whose teams have generally not played up to the talent level.  She had the WNBA rookie of the year for this year on her team, plus Canada, who is in the WNBA, etc., and not all that much to show for it.  Maybe Rice takes them to the next level?  Is she that good?  

I hope Nivar sees plenty of playing time and says yes.

[mbdude]

How can UCLA get quality guard after quality guard and we can't recruit guards worth a crap. That's the missing piece for us. I'll feel better if Nivar picks Stanford. If not, just another disappointment. We've had so many misses with guards, it's hard to even remember them all. 

I wish her well, but I also don't get that choice given their guard situation.  They have too many top guards, if that can even be a thing.  Is she going to push Osborne out when she comes in with Osborne a junior?  What does Londynn Jones, another top guard going to UCLA who is a point, think of this?  They all can't play the point, as pointed out above, and playing the point is key to getting a better shot at the WNBA, all that stuff.  Close has done better getting her talent to be a cohesive and winning team in the past few years than she used to but still and all, she is what I think of as a prime example of a decent coach but not a great one, whose teams have generally not played up to the talent level.  She had the WNBA rookie of the year for this year on her team, plus Canada, who is in the WNBA, etc., and not all that much to show for it.  Maybe Rice takes them to the next level?  Is she that good?  

I hope Nivar sees plenty of playing time and says yes.

Yeah, it's too bad we can't recruit quality cards.  the second-rate guards we had last year did help us win a natty though

[mbdude]

How can UCLA get quality guard after quality guard and we can't recruit guards worth a crap. That's the missing piece for us. I'll feel better if Nivar picks Stanford. If not, just another disappointment. We've had so many misses with guards, it's hard to even remember them all. 

I wish her well, but I also don't get that choice given their guard situation.  They have too many top guards, if that can even be a thing.  Is she going to push Osborne out when she comes in with Osborne a junior?  What does Londynn Jones, another top guard going to UCLA who is a point, think of this?  They all can't play the point, as pointed out above, and playing the point is key to getting a better shot at the WNBA, all that stuff.  Close has done better getting her talent to be a cohesive and winning team in the past few years than she used to but still and all, she is what I think of as a prime example of a decent coach but not a great one, whose teams have generally not played up to the talent level.  She had the WNBA rookie of the year for this year on her team, plus Canada, who is in the WNBA, etc., and not all that much to show for it.  Maybe Rice takes them to the next level?  Is she that good?  

I hope Nivar sees plenty of playing time and says yes.

Yeah, it's too bad we can't recruit quality cards.  the second-rate guards we had last year did help us win a natty though

[TheWildJacko]

How can UCLA get quality guard after quality guard and we can't recruit guards worth a crap. That's the missing piece for us. I'll feel better if Nivar picks Stanford. If not, just another disappointment. We've had so many misses with guards, it's hard to even remember them all. 

I wish her well, but I also don't get that choice given their guard situation.  They have too many top guards, if that can even be a thing.  Is she going to push Osborne out when she comes in with Osborne a junior?  What does Londynn Jones, another top guard going to UCLA who is a point, think of this?  They all can't play the point, as pointed out above, and playing the point is key to getting a better shot at the WNBA, all that stuff.  Close has done better getting her talent to be a cohesive and winning team in the past few years than she used to but still and all, she is what I think of as a prime example of a decent coach but not a great one, whose teams have generally not played up to the talent level.  She had the WNBA rookie of the year for this year on her team, plus Canada, who is in the WNBA, etc., and not all that much to show for it.  Maybe Rice takes them to the next level?  Is she that good?  

I hope Nivar sees plenty of playing time and says yes.

Yeah, it's too bad we can't recruit quality cards.  the second-rate guards we had last year did help us win a natty though

Exactly!!

[TheWildJacko]

How can UCLA get quality guard after quality guard and we can't recruit guards worth a crap. That's the missing piece for us. I'll feel better if Nivar picks Stanford. If not, just another disappointment. We've had so many misses with guards, it's hard to even remember them all. 

I wish her well, but I also don't get that choice given their guard situation.  They have too many top guards, if that can even be a thing.  Is she going to push Osborne out when she comes in with Osborne a junior?  What does Londynn Jones, another top guard going to UCLA who is a point, think of this?  They all can't play the point, as pointed out above, and playing the point is key to getting a better shot at the WNBA, all that stuff.  Close has done better getting her talent to be a cohesive and winning team in the past few years than she used to but still and all, she is what I think of as a prime example of a decent coach but not a great one, whose teams have generally not played up to the talent level.  She had the WNBA rookie of the year for this year on her team, plus Canada, who is in the WNBA, etc., and not all that much to show for it.  Maybe Rice takes them to the next level?  Is she that good?  

I hope Nivar sees plenty of playing time and says yes.

Yeah, it's too bad we can't recruit quality cards.  the second-rate guards we had last year did help us win a natty though

Exactly!!

[ca245]

Well, if Mendelson wants to come here and play both WBB and WVB (and if Tara will allow it), we now have a WBB scholarship opening. :)

[ca245]

Well, if Mendelson wants to come here and play both WBB and WVB (and if Tara will allow it), we now have a WBB scholarship opening. :)

[76lsjumb]

How can UCLA get quality guard after quality guard and we can't recruit guards worth a crap. That's the missing piece for us. I'll feel better if Nivar picks Stanford. If not, just another disappointment. We've had so many misses with guards, it's hard to even remember them all. 

I wish her well, but I also don't get that choice given their guard situation.  They have too many top guards, if that can even be a thing.  Is she going to push Osborne out when she comes in with Osborne a junior?  What does Londynn Jones, another top guard going to UCLA who is a point, think of this?  They all can't play the point, as pointed out above, and playing the point is key to getting a better shot at the WNBA, all that stuff.  Close has done better getting her talent to be a cohesive and winning team in the past few years than she used to but still and all, she is what I think of as a prime example of a decent coach but not a great one, whose teams have generally not played up to the talent level.  She had the WNBA rookie of the year for this year on her team, plus Canada, who is in the WNBA, etc., and not all that much to show for it.  Maybe Rice takes them to the next level?  Is she that good?  

I hope Nivar sees plenty of playing time and says yes.

Yeah, it's too bad we can't recruit quality cards.  the second-rate guards we had last year did help us win a natty though

There's a difference between elite HS senior recruit point guards and four-years-older, high-quality COLLEGE senior point guards.  Fortunately, we have been able to develop a few of the latter over the years, but, frankly, our inability over the past ~10 [15? 20?] years to recruit the former is sort of an elephant in the room, even if folks don't want to discuss it.

I'm slightly consoled, though, by the fact that Close almost always manages to figure out some way to lose to us, regardless of her talent.  Hope that trend continues.

[76lsjumb]

How can UCLA get quality guard after quality guard and we can't recruit guards worth a crap. That's the missing piece for us. I'll feel better if Nivar picks Stanford. If not, just another disappointment. We've had so many misses with guards, it's hard to even remember them all. 

I wish her well, but I also don't get that choice given their guard situation.  They have too many top guards, if that can even be a thing.  Is she going to push Osborne out when she comes in with Osborne a junior?  What does Londynn Jones, another top guard going to UCLA who is a point, think of this?  They all can't play the point, as pointed out above, and playing the point is key to getting a better shot at the WNBA, all that stuff.  Close has done better getting her talent to be a cohesive and winning team in the past few years than she used to but still and all, she is what I think of as a prime example of a decent coach but not a great one, whose teams have generally not played up to the talent level.  She had the WNBA rookie of the year for this year on her team, plus Canada, who is in the WNBA, etc., and not all that much to show for it.  Maybe Rice takes them to the next level?  Is she that good?  

I hope Nivar sees plenty of playing time and says yes.

Yeah, it's too bad we can't recruit quality cards.  the second-rate guards we had last year did help us win a natty though

There's a difference between elite HS senior recruit point guards and four-years-older, high-quality COLLEGE senior point guards.  Fortunately, we have been able to develop a few of the latter over the years, but, frankly, our inability over the past ~10 [15? 20?] years to recruit the former is sort of an elephant in the room, even if folks don't want to discuss it.

I'm slightly consoled, though, by the fact that Close almost always manages to figure out some way to lose to us, regardless of her talent.  Hope that trend continues.

[joemontes]

i'm disappointed but not shocked. a lot of her photos emphasize her appearance. hollywood is nearby.

And, in a way, I admire Kiki RICE for venturing to blaze her own trail, aiming to lead the 2nd most successful athletic program to its first WCBB Final Four.  I really like that.... 

So, let's recapitulate UCLA's Class of 2022 haul:

#2    -  Kiki RICE                      5'11    PG
#19  -  Gabriela JACQUEZ      6'0     PF
#21  -  Paris CLARK                5'8     SG
#22  -  Londynn JONES          5'5     PG
#49  -  Christeen IWUALA     6'3      C

UCLA will have some excellent returning talents next season (2022-2023 season) to help guide that freshman contingent, including a trio of very good 6'4 post players (all will still be RS Sophomores) in BESSOIR (France), DUGALIC (Croatia) and ANSTLEY (Australia),  RS sophomore 5'9 SG Dominique (Darius) ONO and, of course, their senior leader in 5'9 SG Charisma OSBORNE.

[joemontes]

i'm disappointed but not shocked. a lot of her photos emphasize her appearance. hollywood is nearby.

And, in a way, I admire Kiki RICE for venturing to blaze her own trail, aiming to lead the 2nd most successful athletic program to its first WCBB Final Four.  I really like that.... 

So, let's recapitulate UCLA's Class of 2022 haul:

#2    -  Kiki RICE                      5'11    PG
#19  -  Gabriela JACQUEZ      6'0     PF
#21  -  Paris CLARK                5'8     SG
#22  -  Londynn JONES          5'5     PG
#49  -  Christeen IWUALA     6'3      C

UCLA will have some excellent returning talents next season (2022-2023 season) to help guide that freshman contingent, including a trio of very good 6'4 post players (all will still be RS Sophomores) in BESSOIR (France), DUGALIC (Croatia) and ANSTLEY (Australia),  RS sophomore 5'9 SG Dominique (Darius) ONO and, of course, their senior leader in 5'9 SG Charisma OSBORNE.

[chimera]

I think our guards are fine, just currently in a transition from a multi-year starter at pg to whatever comes next.  We have had excellent guards, just not a top 5 guard recruit, for a while now.  I think some of the issue is top guards seem to want to play in a system where they are the straw that stirs the drink, as it were, driving and dishing, hitting circus drives and all that, and they don't see our system as allowing them to do that.  And maybe that is why UCLA has had more highly ranked guard recruits recently than we have...but haven't had the success, because that way may please recruits but it may not be optimal for actually winning unless you have a team full of top 5 recruits, which UCLA does not, certainly not their bigs.

[chimera]

I think our guards are fine, just currently in a transition from a multi-year starter at pg to whatever comes next.  We have had excellent guards, just not a top 5 guard recruit, for a while now.  I think some of the issue is top guards seem to want to play in a system where they are the straw that stirs the drink, as it were, driving and dishing, hitting circus drives and all that, and they don't see our system as allowing them to do that.  And maybe that is why UCLA has had more highly ranked guard recruits recently than we have...but haven't had the success, because that way may please recruits but it may not be optimal for actually winning unless you have a team full of top 5 recruits, which UCLA does not, certainly not their bigs.