The November signing period begins today and Tennessee will be adding at least three women's basketball players with impressive offensive credentials for next season.
But Mercedes Russell, Jordan Reynolds and Jannah Tucker also are described by coaches familiar with their talents as suitable to UT's renewed emphasis on defense.
Russell, a 6-foot-5 center from Springfield, Ore., and Tucker, a 6-foot wing player from Randallstown, Md., will sign their letters of intent today. Reynolds, a 5-10 guard from Portland, will sign on Friday.
Tennessee remains in contention for guard Tyler Scaife from Little Rock, Ark. She's expected to announce her choice on Friday. Rutgers and UT are believed to be the frontrunners for the No. 9-ranked player in the Class of 2013 by ESPN HoopGurlz.
As it stands, Tennessee has gathered an impressive group. Russell is the No. 1-ranked player in the class. Tucker is ranked No. 8 and Reynolds is No. 42.
Russell averaged 26 points and 15 rebounds per game last season in leading Springfield High to a second consecutive state championship and was named the Class 5A state player of the year. Still, Springfield coach Bill Wagner thinks that Russell will introduce herself at Tennessee with defense.
"Coming in as a freshman, I think she could be more of a game-changer on that end," Wagner said. "She averages about six blocks per game and I can't tell you how many shots she's changed. Defensively, she's pretty good."
Wagner accompanied Russell on multiple visits to Tennessee and is familiar with coach Holly Warlick's desire to invigorate UT's defensive play.
Wagner also has coached against Reynolds' Central Catholic team. He described her as "ultra-athletic" and a difficult matchup. She averaged 18.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and five assists per game last season and was named Class 6A player of the year. She also averaged nearly five steals per game. Wagner thinks that Reynolds will be a good fit for Warlick's defense.
"On the defensive end, she's exactly what they're looking for," Wagner said. "She'll get up in you. She's good at anticipating passes and reading (plays)."
Tucker, who averaged nearly 30 points per game last season for New Town High, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee in August while playing for USA Basketball. Fran Burbidge, who has coached Tucker in AAU basketball the past two summers, said that she is "significantly ahead of schedule" with her recovery.
Burbidge said that Tucker is experienced in defending elite players, and she responds to coaching. Furthermore, her size and athleticism allow Tucker to defend forwards as well as guards.
"She's pretty versatile in terms of matchups," Burbidge said.
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Comments » 11
Theo writes:
Wow, what a class. As is top three. With Scaife numero uno.
Great to hear Tucker's rehab is going so well.
Have great Senior years and get ready to be a big part of the next Lady Vol National Championship.
On a different topic - man did Baylor open up a case on Kentucky. I don't know whether to think Baylor should be in the WNBA or Kentucky is waaaaay overated. Hate to see an SEC team get waxed like that although given the lack of class some KY fans have exhibited on this sight recently I'm not that upset. As a matter of fact now that I think about how great Kim M. has been regarding Pat. I'm glad they beat KY!
SummittsCourt writes:
This group might be one of the best all time at UT and that is saying alot. Time will tell. Looking forward to seeing these ladies mix in with the young ladies on this year's team.
Volinflan writes:
Tomorrow is indeed a big day. Maybe Friday will be bigger if Scaife chooses Tennessee. What a class it would (will) be. She needs to come to Tennessee to balance things. Just think of what it will be like when that foresome joins the already great young Lady Vols already there, and we can look forward to the games between North Carolina, Duke, Notre Dame, UConn and the Lady Vols. Well I guess we should put in a few more like Rutgers, Stanford, Baylor etc.
What kind of won-loss record at the end of December will it take to make us Lady Vol fanatics happy? I mean, we do hava a really young team. December is going to be vicious. Will we be happy to break even at 3-3 for the month?
snafu14u#241639 writes:
Coach Holly will need a year of patience but the base is there. After this season it will be up to her. BonzaiVol
SoddyVol writes:
...What kind of won-loss record at the end of December will it take to make us Lady Vol fanatics happy? ..... I can be fairly satisfied at 3-3 because of the young players. However, to make me feel real happy, they need to go at least 4-2, beating N.Carolina, Texas, Davidson and Rutgers, be competitive against Stanford and play Baylor better than Ky did.
ps11824 writes:
Look, Baylor should have a paved road to the Championship. Even if they lost one of their key players, Griner, or Sims, they would still be in the running with the top contenders. They will go ubdefeated... just my 2cents.
As for making the usual poster fans happy this season, I can't see that happening. I think if we won the rest of our games some would still be complaining. You know it's true. I've followed this forum/KNS for 20+ years, I've seen the same whiners year after year. You know who THEY are.
Great thing about this site, there's always a few classy posters who always leave positive crumbs for me to follow. Those nuggets make my day... thanks, you know who YOU are.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Exciting future ahead and our team this year will turn some heads. Look folks this is going to be a rebuilding season. I still expect the lady Vols to compete and win either the SEC championship or the SEC tourney. Nothings changed we are still the premier team to beat. Team still are hungry to beat us. I saw last night that Adia Mathias can get rattled, Goss is not all that right now, and they have no post presents. Now that being said its hard to tell how good they are or bad against Baylor. Kim Murkey has that team on a different level. Another thing did UK drop off because of Krya Elzy? Did we gain a hardnose assistant? I think we did. I think UT comes out on top in the SEC and proves a lot of ppl wrong.
Volinflan writes:
I think you're right about the Kentucky coaches. I think that last years best coach is now a Lady Vol.
Mrlogic writes:
I really like what I am seeing in the last two recruiting classes. I think we have the makings of a really good team in the next couple years. I am really looking forward to watching them play.
butch31 writes:
Usually these high caliber point guards go to Rutgers, if we win that battle, it would be awesome.
ps11824 writes:
I'd like to hear from those of you who were in attendance at the games. What interaction have you witnessed between Kyra and the team. Is she really involved? Spirited? What are you seeing?
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