As the 22' recruiting cycle has come to a close I would like to highlight some Student-athlete's I would like to see #committotheG in the coming months. Roster management is on fo the toughest parts of leading a basketball program, the transfer portal and COVID hasn't made the recruitment or retention process any easier. I also know that coach Joni has received some backlash being unable to reel in the top players in the State especially with Raven Johnson and Sania Feagin going next door to South Carolina in the 2021 class and the top 2 players in the 2022 class in Flau'jae Johnson and Lazaria Spearman going to LSU and Miami respectively.So lets look at the roster breakdown of the current 2023 roster and address the needs of that team. PG-2 G-3 W-2 F-3. The biggest needs on this team are size and versatility. The shooting this season hasn't been very good either but with two players 6' + who aren't gun-shy or inaccurate from deep heading to Athens this fall lets focus on adding more size around them. I've pinpointed 2 4/5s and an extremely versatile 6'3" Guard? WinG? who knows.
1. Olivia McGhee-G/W-6'2"-Mineral, VA- ESPN-unranked ASGR-37
Talented scorer with size on and off he ball and defensive versatility to keep herself on the floor. Mean crossover Jumper works from all over to the arc. Problematic distributor especially in transition. Really works as a rebounder, lots of finishes at the rim which is a must have to score there in the SEC. Has the height but inconsistent in the use of her physicality on offense. She has UGA in her top 11 announced on 1/1/22. Currently working on helping her Lucia Lions to B2B 4A state championships as a junior. She plays with a fire, mean streak and killer instinct which would pair well with the tenacity of Janiah Barker manning the forward spots or in the front court together when teams go small.
2. Essence Cody-F-6'4"-Valdosta, GA-ESPN-24 ASGR-18
She's a brick house folks, Cody can't finish with both hands and knock down 3s, she's the closest thing to Steady State in state, but more athletic, and agile, bringing much more to the table off the dribble. She's a high IQ player on offense and a smart short blocker on the defensive end. She's searching for her 1st state championship in a loaded Georgia Class 6A. She has the ability to share the frontcourt with JB and even do a little 4/5 PnR which would open up so much for a Georgia offense that can be stagnant and predictable at times.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/12750342/Essence-Cody
3. Aaliyah Del Rosario-C-6'6"- New Jersey ESPN-unranked ASGR-10
The 6'6" Rosario is flying heavily under the radar, she has size and IQ as an elite passer form the Center position. she has good footwork and can finish with both hands. her confidence with her jumpsuit I growing by the game. She has a slightly different style of play that Cody as she faces up more often. she hunts blocks with precision and is a great teammate. scouts say her fire waxes and wanes but a high IQ even-keeled post player down low might be what this roster needs. Shades of Shakira Austin. She transferred from Trenton Catholic in NJ to The Webb School in Tennessee where the Feet are ranked the #11 team in the state. They played Janiah Barker's Montverde Academy on 12/92021 and the Webb School hung around with an early lead but Barker took over down the stretch finishing with 19 and 13. Did Aaliyah get a glimpse of her future frontcourt partner? we'll find out soon enough.
The bottom line is this team is going to need size and skill moving forward if it wants to compete nationally. These three players along with Diana Collins would be a monster class for coach Taylor. The size and versatility these player bring along with Barker and Bowles could make way for a special run in the mid 2020's. The lady Dawgs are small on the perimeter this year the role definition is questionable because we don't truly have the personal to damage double teams in the low post or on the ball screen, with our lack of shooters(31.2% from 3). These three Hilton(RS) Collins, Barker and Bowles, are a nice 7 deep to build around with a number of fun lineups to place on the floor.
1. Olivia McGhee-G/W-6'2"-Mineral, VA- ESPN-unranked ASGR-37
Talented scorer with size on and off he ball and defensive versatility to keep herself on the floor. Mean crossover Jumper works from all over to the arc. Problematic distributor especially in transition. Really works as a rebounder, lots of finishes at the rim which is a must have to score there in the SEC. Has the height but inconsistent in the use of her physicality on offense. She has UGA in her top 11 announced on 1/1/22. Currently working on helping her Lucia Lions to B2B 4A state championships as a junior. She plays with a fire, mean streak and killer instinct which would pair well with the tenacity of Janiah Barker manning the forward spots or in the front court together when teams go small.
2. Essence Cody-F-6'4"-Valdosta, GA-ESPN-24 ASGR-18
She's a brick house folks, Cody can't finish with both hands and knock down 3s, she's the closest thing to Steady State in state, but more athletic, and agile, bringing much more to the table off the dribble. She's a high IQ player on offense and a smart short blocker on the defensive end. She's searching for her 1st state championship in a loaded Georgia Class 6A. She has the ability to share the frontcourt with JB and even do a little 4/5 PnR which would open up so much for a Georgia offense that can be stagnant and predictable at times.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/12750342/Essence-Cody
3. Aaliyah Del Rosario-C-6'6"- New Jersey ESPN-unranked ASGR-10
The 6'6" Rosario is flying heavily under the radar, she has size and IQ as an elite passer form the Center position. she has good footwork and can finish with both hands. her confidence with her jumpsuit I growing by the game. She has a slightly different style of play that Cody as she faces up more often. she hunts blocks with precision and is a great teammate. scouts say her fire waxes and wanes but a high IQ even-keeled post player down low might be what this roster needs. Shades of Shakira Austin. She transferred from Trenton Catholic in NJ to The Webb School in Tennessee where the Feet are ranked the #11 team in the state. They played Janiah Barker's Montverde Academy on 12/92021 and the Webb School hung around with an early lead but Barker took over down the stretch finishing with 19 and 13. Did Aaliyah get a glimpse of her future frontcourt partner? we'll find out soon enough.
The bottom line is this team is going to need size and skill moving forward if it wants to compete nationally. These three players along with Diana Collins would be a monster class for coach Taylor. The size and versatility these player bring along with Barker and Bowles could make way for a special run in the mid 2020's. The lady Dawgs are small on the perimeter this year the role definition is questionable because we don't truly have the personal to damage double teams in the low post or on the ball screen, with our lack of shooters(31.2% from 3). These three Hilton(RS) Collins, Barker and Bowles, are a nice 7 deep to build around with a number of fun lineups to place on the floor.