The seismic shift in the Tennessee women's basketball coaching staff apparently hasn't shaken the Lady Vols' chances of landing one of the nation's top recruits.
Springfield (Ore.) High School center Mercedes Russell wasn't blindsided by Pat Summitt stepping down as head coach after 38 years to become a head coach emeritus, Springfield coach Bill Wagner said Friday. Furthermore, ESPN HoopGurlz's top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2013 wasn't disappointed by associate head coach Holly Warlick being named Summitt's successor.
"She mentioned that she was hoping that if Pat stepped aside, Holly would get the job,'' Wagner said.
Warlick went to Oregon during the season to watch Russell play. Assistant coach Dean Lockwood, the other remaining coach on UT's staff, has been the lead recruiter for the 6-foot-5 junior, who's made two unofficial visits to UT.
Russell was the Class 5A player of the year this season after leading Springfield to a second consecutive state championship. She averaged 26 points, 15 rebounds, six blocks and five assists per game.
Wagner said that he and Russell talked about Tennessee's coaching transition the day it happened.
"When she talked with the coaching staff, they kind of let on that something like this was going to happen,'' Wagner said.
"The program is what drew her in early. Knowing that Pat is going to be part of the program, it makes her feel good. Tennessee is still going to be Tennessee."
Russell has narrowed her list of schools to 10. Along with UT, Louisville, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Georgia, USC, Duke, North Carolina, LSU and Baylor made the initial cut. Wagner anticipates Russell paring her list to five before fall.
"Tennessee has been in there from the beginning and I think they'll be there to the end,'' Wagner said. "I don't know if she's going to go there, but I think they'll be in there to the end."
As long as the Lady Vols are in the hunt for Russell, they'll likely have a shot at another top 2013 prospect: Stephanie Mavunga, The 6-3 forward from Indianapolis, who's ranked 15th in the class by HoopGurlz, is a good friend of Russell's. They came together to UT for an unofficial visit last October. Wagner indicated that Russell's aforementioned list of 10 schools was formulated with Mavunga in mind.
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 35
volaholic45 writes:
Go get 'em, Holly. This is your shot at taking up the mantle.
voloffaith writes:
So these ladies could sign for being on campus 2013 fall? We were recruiting two juco forward/centers this year and it looked from an article yesterday that it was down to one. 6'0" center in Florida I believe. Hepp me out here folks....
born2ride writes:
She would be a huge get for new coach Holly.
movol53 writes:
Looks like Holly has a chance to pick up two excellent recruits. These two want to play college BB at the same place. Now's the time two get two outstanding players and show everyone that the Lady Vols are still a top level program. Go get these two Holly and Dean.
Mobbdeep4life writes:
It appears Russell's interest is in the Lady Vols' basketball program as much as it was in the coach. With CPS still part of the program I hope that will sway Russell and Mavunga to commit. High level recruits would continue to maintain\elevate the Lady Vol program.
clvolfan writes:
Headed back to the top,go LV's.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Do like Baylor and get a man, baby!!
TNORANGEDOGDAD writes:
I did not see Connecticut on that list.
Razor784 writes:
They're also in the running for a 6'5 center out of Oklahoma, don't know why they left her name out of the article.
richvol writes:
This is the test for Holly being successful as Tennessee's coach. If she can recruit at a level that keeps us in the discussion of who is the best team in the country then she stands a chance of being the coach five years from now. If she cannot recruit then she will fail.
She needs to sign a coach that can teach effective offense as well. We have been lousy at offensive sets for years.
AHOUSE writes:
It would be really great now if Kara Lawson could be talked into becoming an assistant coach! She would be an excellent addition in many ways, especially with her knowledge of the game and as well as player recruting.
MikeInTN writes:
Would be great to see elite talent making it's way back to Knoxville...ie "The Meeks", Parker......
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
The 2013 class is a very talented one that UT can't afford to miss out on. The top 4 has interest in UT so to pull one or even two would help the program tremendously. I would absolutely love to see Russell in here. I've seen her video clips and she reminds me of a faster Cain with a Dolson turnaround shot. She is not afraid of taking it to the basket. I'd like for CP3 to get in her ear about UT to if permissible. I dream about the top players getting together and wanting to come here to win championships for this school again. After Griner the stars will realign again and the playing field leveled. Griner is a special player. Barring injury Baylor has another next year too. Then I'm afraid Uconn's senior class will take it after that. We have work to do . Coach Holly go gettem !
Mike_In_Storrs_CT writes:
I find it very interesting that some Tenn. fans are shocked and disappointed that Holly got the job..When she was the number 1 candidate all along, who else were they really going to give the job too? Was Tenn. really going to go out and get a So Called Big Name to take Pats place? Absolutely Not..and there really are no Big Names in Womens college basketball anyway except for Pat and Geno..I also find it curious that Griner has told Team USA that she wont play in the Olympics.I say my theory about her really being a guy just gained a lot of weight..How convenient for Griner..Knowing full well that during the Olypmics Griner may get found out..Like I have been saying all along..
richvol writes:
Isn't it curious that Griner declined the honor of being the only college player to represent the US...I agree completely. I wish that some school would take Baylor and Griner to court to prove her gender. If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck...
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
I also find it funny that Briittany Grinder passed on playing in the Olympics for a "sick family member" and "summer school". It's been 22 years since a female college basketball player got to play in the Olympics if I'm not mistaking. It's also one of those things you don't just "pass" on for "summer school". It's also the one party that does gender testing. HMMM.....
ps11824 writes:
AHOUSE writes:
It would be really great now if Kara Lawson could be talked into becoming an assistant coach! She would be an excellent addition in many ways, especially with her knowledge of the game and as well as player recruting. ]]]]]]
Just me, don't have anything to go on other than my gut, but I don't think Kara is interested in leaving the spotlight of espn. She's probably making good $$$, and loving the xposure. Got to admit, she is good at it. She looks great and you are right about her brain. She knows the game and talks a good analysis.
She has no National Championship ring. That might be fascinating to her. She does have a World Championship gold medal. She is a very good/smart point guard.
I wish we could get a very smart "bigs" coach. Seems like we've been negligent as of late, in teaching effective post moves, footwork, hands, griner-calibre stuff. I know we can't teach 6'8" size, but I haven't seen our post players using the proper techniques to be effective defensively as well as offensively.
There are Big Girl Camps. I haven't heard of any of our Lady Vols attending these since the late '80s.
My understanding is, the player must pay their own fees. I guess that's a hefty fee.
Glory Johnson had some good moves around the basket, but size comes into play. If we could incorporate ALL the ingredients, posting up, powering down, finishing/blocking shots, as well as boards, WOW!
It may sound like I know of which I speak, but I really don't. It's just fun to play virtual Pat Summitt/Al Brown/John Wooden for a day. I do have a whistle. ; )
Volinflan writes:
Wilka Montout took UT off her "visits" list.
RockyTop1 writes:
Get these and it is another Final Four in her first year as Head coach!! GO LADY VOLS!!!
Mike_In_Storrs_CT writes:
I agree totally, YOU JUST DONT say no to the being a part of the Olympic team. Just does not happen. It is the one party that no matter what you attend, (unless of course your hiding something). And they do conduct gender testing on all atheletes at the olympics..And by the way Mulkey is a cheater too.
POTSVol writes:
There's always going to be someone playing women's basketball that everyone will do a double take to make sure she's a she. Now Griner, before her? Remember Sylvia Fowles of LSU? She is a beast and with very deep features.
Get over yourselves with this nonsense. There are more important things to worry about in the world.
Don't go thinking that I'm a Baylor supporter. Totally not. All Vol here. Just annoyed at people that try to start rumors based on nothing except what they perceive.
SoddyVol writes:
Political Correctness--- Kind of like when my pastor recently called me a homophobe when I voiced my opinion that United Methodist Church law (The Discipline) should be upheld.
RashaadSalabeb writes:
Miss Russell, we'd love to have you at Tennessee. We have the tradition, the facilities, the coaching and the fanbase. Come join us and wear the ORANGE proudly!
Go Lady Vols!
Millisa writes:
Hope We can get these girls here We Need Them and Would be cool to have Kara Lawson as an Assitiant Coach would be great We Need Her
mytrifecta writes:
Coach Summitt has built a dynasty at UT...that coupled with the facilities that im sure are better than most if not all womens programs will keep this program at an elite status. Also i'd bet unofficially that Tyler is the coach in waiting...which would be a great move to continue the Summitt tradition.
Mrlogic writes:
Uconn got the #1 recruit in 2011. They also got the #1 and #2 recruits in the class of 2012. If we are serious about a National Championship we are going to have to recruit to stay with Auriemma. I think it will be imperative that we get at least two out of the top three recruits in the class of 2013. That will tell a lot as to where we are going. I hope Holly and her crew can pull it off I really do. It sure would be a great day for the Lady Vols if Holly and her crew can do it. The reason I use Auriemma is because that is the guy you have to beat. End of story.
deckermoss writes:
Chamique has been the most outspoken on Pat. How about Holdsclaw as assistant coach and recruiter? Don't know about Griner's gender, but what does her withdrawing from the Olympics has to do with Political Correctness and "SoddyVol" being a homophobe? If it was political correctness they would let her play no matter what the test proved.
DRORANGELOVE writes:
I agree with you 100 %. It may be years from now, but sooner or later the truth will come out. You hit the "MALE" on the head. GBO
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
On her/his wedding night to a unsuspecting blind newlywed hubby..
golfman1975 writes:
You honestly believe since U-Con isn't on the list that Geno will not recruit? At least he will try to poison the water in the Tennessee River of recruiting. He s__ks like a Hoover (vac. cleaner)
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Theres about 7 teams out there now that can win it all each and every year. Tenn has slipped into the middle of the pack . Recruiting is crucial if we are going to compete for a championship. We have to find special talent like the Meeks, CP3, GloJos to win . I believe we would have been in the championship game had it not been for Griner and company. Way too much this year and next. I still believe it takes a special player to push though tough games and we desperately need one or two for our team. Man I wish we would of had Cain.
BufordTJustice writes:
Getting these 2 players in orange could be pivotal in Holly's chances of success. Next year is a wash, and I hope the fans realize that. It was going to be a down year even with a 100% healthy Pat Summitt prowling the sidelines.....think about it....how many times have we seen this program have to go the JuCo route to infuse talent? I really hope she will prove capable in recruiting, as that is her only question mark. When the greatest coach/teacher/motivator/class act of all time keeps you on her staff for 27 yrs, none of the above attributes can be questioned. Stay on the phone/planes, Holly, and get those girls in Orange. T+C=W
ps11824 writes:
Sure wish we would let this Griner thing go. It is her cross to bear. Don't think it prudent for us to constantly take it up.
martinvol34 writes:
Most of the time you're just a troll but this post really made me go, hmmmm.
OrangeBloodFlood writes:
One word.......STEROIDS,the Olympic team test for them and when you listen to Brittany interview it's pretty obvious.
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