first recruiting job

[flippinhogmana]

Neighbors' first recruiting job will be to keep former McDonald's All-American
By: Dudley E. Dawson  Published: Tuesday, April 4, 2017Arkansas' Aaliyah Wilson looks for help while South Carolina's Allisha Gray defends Sunday Feb. 5, 2017 at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville. South Carolina won 79-49.
Photo by J.T. Wampler

http://www.wholehogsports.com/photos/2017/feb/23/572918/

Arkansas' Aaliyah Wilson looks for help while South Carolina's Allisha Gray defends Sunday Feb. 5, 2017 at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville. South Carolina won 79-49.
FAYETTEVILLE — Before he can hit the road to begin recruiting, new Arkansas women's basketball coach Mike Neighbors will try to do a little recruiting with his current roster.
Neighbors, a native Arkansan who was named as the ninth coach in the program's history on Monday, will be doing his best to keep McDonald's All-American Aaliyah Wilson (5-11) on his roster.
Wilson - a Muskogee, Okla., prep star who picked Arkansas over Baylor, Kansas and Rutgers, among others, announced her decision to transfer on March 15, 13 days after Arkansas head coach Jimmy Dykes resigned after three years at the helm.
"I met with her today and we are working out tomorrow," Neighbors said.
Wilson, who averaged 17.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals as a high school senior, played in 26 games as a true freshman this past season for Arkansas while averaging 4.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
She played 411 minutes during the season, while shooting 28.7 percent from the field, 28.4 percent from 3-point range and 66.7 percent from the free throw line.
Former Arkansas prep star Jordan Dansberry transferred to Mississippi State at the end of the last semester and freshman Briunna Freeman quit the team in December.
The women's team currently has seven players - not including Wilson - slated to return next season and signed Fayettevile's Grayce Spangler (5-11) and Macy Weaver (6-3) of Illinois in November.
"The current team is obviously the first thing any time you come into a new situation is taking care of the kids that have already said yes to this program," Neighbors said Tuesday after his official introduction as the new coach.
"There are a lot of reasons that this job is open and you have to go in there and figure out how many are reasons and how you can heal those wounds, are they starting to scab over or van you heal them or do they reopen and become wounds again," Neighbors said. "I started with that this morning and it has been my sheer focus all day until an hour outside of this.
"I literally started kind of putting some notes together for this (introduction) some 30 minutes ago because I have been with these current team members since I stepped on campus.
"...I have spent all day with this current team and will make sure they are in the right frame of mind and where they are at and then we will go to the future team."
Neighbors, who was raised in Greenwood, noted that he is coming in a time when the level of Arkansas high school and AAU talent is high.
"Maybe the best that it has ever been," Neighbors said. "I really can't talk specifically other than that, but it is a good time for that and it played a factor in my decision."
Neighbors, whose star player, Kelsey Plum, broke the NCAA career scoring mark last season, doesn't think he has to so much sell Arkansas' program as much as he just has to be genuine about it.
"We are in trouble if I have to do that and they don't already have some familiarity with ex-players," Neighbors said. "Everyone of my players said 'you coached Kelsey Plum.'
"Most of the time when you are meeting a new team you don't want to talk about other people or players on your past team, but hopefully I won't have to sell it, I kind earn it.
"If I have to sell, it is not going to be genuine and I will earn it tomorrow starting with the workouts."
Having been a high school coach in Arkansas and former assistant to Gary Blair for the Lady Razorbacks, Neighbors has great relationships with many of the high school coaches in the state.
"I'm not sure any more confidence, but I do have some familiarity with the coaches and some of those of those guys are here," Neighbors said. "I already had their phone numbers in my phone book and address books so it gives me confidence I can get in their door.
"It is so incredibly hard these days with recruiting, that you have got to have relationships so it will help that I have a strong one to start."

Her Monk, Cosper, Mason, Swenson and a couple of good post players will be hard to handle.  Stout and Zimmer would even prosper under his system.  I hope Wiliams reconsiders as well, just hoping.  If Williams comes back and if Weaver is better than expected, I think we could be pleasantly surprised next year.

[flippinhogmana]

The Recruiting Guy:
Neighbors reaches out to signee Macy Weaver after introduction
By: Richard Davenport 

http://www.wholehogsports.com/photos/2016/may/01/476221/

Published: Tuesday, April 4, 2017Arkansas signee Macy Weaver.
Arkansas signee Macy Weaver.
Arkansas women's basketball Coach Mike Neighbors reached out to center signee Macy Weaver shortly after being introduced as the Razorbacks' new coach this afternoon.
"He seems super nice and is really excited to see what the program has," Weaver said. "He's very positive about all of it and can't wait to bring it up and rebuild it."
Weaver, 6-3 of Stillman Valley High School in Illinois picked the Hogs over scholarship offers from Wisconsin, Missouri, Northwestern, Kansas State and others about a year ago.
She and Neighbors discussed setting up an in-home visit in the near future.
"He wants to come meet my family maybe at my dining room table and living room and really see how I am and see really how my whole family is and get to know me," she said.
"I know it will be before my graduation and I will graduate May 14."
Weaver finished up her career as the all-time leader in scoring with 1,506 points and rebounds with 1,286 at Stillman. She also set a school record with 445 block shots.
Neighbors led Washington to two Sweet 16 trips and a Final Four appearance in four years. The Huskies set a school record with 29 wins this season while also setting attendance records, including a sellout.
She has an aunt and uncle living in Springdale. Francie is an Arkansas graduate, and Dave is a brother of Weaver's father. Weaver said she and her family have researched Neighbors.
"We have really have been reading about him and figuring out who he is and how he is and how he coaches," Weaver said. "I'm super excited about all that and him having the ability to turn a program around. I'm super excited about that."
Weaver's high school coach has been a reader of Neighbor's newsletter the last two years.
"For him to say he's super excited, it just makes me pumped up even more because I know it's going to be great," Weaver said. "I'm excited to see what he's going to turn me into.

[hogsfan31]

I really hope he can get Wilson back on board. That would really be awesome. As for the seniors like Jessica Jackson, it sucks she will not get to experience playing for a program like Neighbors will run and build.

Maybe he can get into Williams head and get her to rethink leaving the state.

[flippinhogmana]

I really hope he can get Wilson back on board. That would really be awesome. As for the seniors like Jessica Jackson, it sucks she will not get to experience playing for a program like Neighbors will run and build.

Maybe he can get into Williams head and get her to rethink leaving the state.

I think most of us are on board with all your sentiments. I wish we could have had another year for AC and JJ with Neighbors, but life is what it is.

[LadybackBBFan]

The Recruiting Guy:
Neighbors reaches out to signee Macy Weaver after introduction
By: Richard Davenport 

http://www.wholehogsports.com/photos/2016/may/01/476221/

Published: Tuesday, April 4, 2017Arkansas signee Macy Weaver.
Arkansas signee Macy Weaver.
Arkansas women’s basketball Coach Mike Neighbors reached out to center signee Macy Weaver shortly after being introduced as the Razorbacks’ new coach this afternoon.
“He seems super nice and is really excited to see what the program has,” Weaver said. “He’s very positive about all of it and can’t wait to bring it up and rebuild it.”
Weaver, 6-3 of Stillman Valley High School in Illinois picked the Hogs over scholarship offers from Wisconsin, Missouri, Northwestern, Kansas State and others about a year ago.
She and Neighbors discussed setting up an in-home visit in the near future.
“He wants to come meet my family maybe at my dining room table and living room and really see how I am and see really how my whole family is and get to know me,” she said.
“I know it will be before my graduation and I will graduate May 14.”
Weaver finished up her career as the all-time leader in scoring with 1,506 points and rebounds with 1,286 at Stillman. She also set a school record with 445 block shots.
Neighbors led Washington to two Sweet 16 trips and a Final Four appearance in four years. The Huskies set a school record with 29 wins this season while also setting attendance records, including a sellout.
She has an aunt and uncle living in Springdale. Francie is an Arkansas graduate, and Dave is a brother of Weaver’s father. Weaver said she and her family have researched Neighbors.
“We have really have been reading about him and figuring out who he is and how he is and how he coaches,” Weaver said. “I’m super excited about all that and him having the ability to turn a program around. I’m super excited about that.”
Weaver’s high school coach has been a reader of Neighbor’s newsletter the last two years.
“For him to say he’s super excited, it just makes me pumped up even more because I know it’s going to be great,” Weaver said. “I’m excited to see what he’s going to turn me into.

She also was All State First Team  this year in Illinois Classification 3A - second largest in Illinois.  Classification size is enrollment from 557 to 1368 - some big schools in this classification including Chicago Marshall and Peoria Schools.  We really need to keep her and hope she comes for summer school and workouts.

[hogsfan31]

I talked to a girl that is a USA basketball official that I know from illinois. She's big into sports, played college softball, and is involved a lot in high school basketball in Illinois. She says Stillman Valley is near Rockford. She said the talent level is pretty good around there. She said Stillman Valley plays Peoria area schools sometimes. They lost to Morton in the supersectional by a lot. She gave a thumbs up when I said we were recruiting Macy Weaver.

She said another player we should look at if we haven't already is Brea Beal. Number 3 sophomore out of Rock island. Gatorade POY and Miss Illinois basketball. Said she's incredible!

[Hogtied85]

I talked to a girl that is a USA basketball official that I know from illinois. She's big into sports, played college softball, and is involved a lot in high school basketball in Illinois. She says Stillman Valley is near Rockford. She said the talent level is pretty good around there. She said Stillman Valley plays Peoria area schools sometimes. They lost to Morton in the supersectional by a lot. She gave a thumbs up when I said we were recruiting Macy Weaver.

She said another player we should look at if we haven't already is Brea Beal. Number 3 sophomore out of Rock island. Gatorade POY and Miss Illinois basketball. Said she's incredible!

http://www.espn.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/212723

yeap

[flippinhogmana]

I talked to a girl that is a USA basketball official that I know from illinois. She's big into sports, played college softball, and is involved a lot in high school basketball in Illinois. She says Stillman Valley is near Rockford. She said the talent level is pretty good around there. She said Stillman Valley plays Peoria area schools sometimes. They lost to Morton in the supersectional by a lot. She gave a thumbs up when I said we were recruiting Macy Weaver.

She said another player we should look at if we haven't already is Brea Beal. Number 3 sophomore out of Rock island. Gatorade POY and Miss Illinois basketball. Said she's incredible!

I lived in the area and coached there (not stillman valley but in the area).  I would say this, they had a less than stellar record against quality teams in their area and classification.  They are ranked 89th in the state.  That doesn't necessarily reflect hugely on Macy, except that she hasn't faced much top flight competition.

[hog63]

From what I understand, I do not look for Wilson to stay no matter how good a salesman Mike is. Cosper is set to graduate but might be able to be talked into staying another year. 

[Scott7703]

From what I understand, I do not look for Wilson to stay no matter how good a salesman Mike is. Cosper is set to graduate but might be able to be talked into staying another year. 

Have heard the exact opposite on Wilson. There is a real chance she stays now. Not saying it's a done deal but could happen.

[logic]

Per Prospects Nation the following are the 69 uncommitted 2017 3 and 4 star players.
Year   Rank   PR   *   Pos   Player                 State   Height   High School
2017   132   24   40   F   Breanna Perry         MI   6' 2"   Flushing HS (MI)
2017   110   27   40   G   Brelynn Hampton-Bey   OH   5' 7"   Notre Dame Academy (Toledo, OH)
2017                 40   W   Courtesy Clark   CA   5' 9"   CK McClatchey (CA)
2017                 40   F   Jaala Henry   MD   6' 2"   
2017                 40   F   Jasmyn Martin   MN   6' 3"   Kennedy (Bloomington, MN)
2017                 40   G   Kianna Suber   TX   5' 8"   Bryan HS (TX)
2017                 40   P   Lauran Sheriff   MS   6' 3"   Murrah HS (Jackson, MS)
2017                 40   P   Makayla Stanley   VA   6' 3"   Glen Allen HS (VA)
2017                 40   P   Musharpha Alhassan   MD   6' 5"   Capitol Christian (MD)
2017                 40   G   Sierra Smith   CA   5' 6"   Salesian HS (Richmond, CA)
2017                 40   F      Ty Battle      IL   6' 1"   Joliet Catholic Academy (Joliet, IL)
2017                 40   G       Tyra Cox       FL   5' 8"   Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, FL)
2017                 35   F   Archer Olson   CA   6' 0"   Gunn HS
2017                 35   G   Brittany Stawovy   PA   5' 8"   Greensburg Central Catholic
2017                 35   G   Cassidy Tiegs   ID   5' 7"   Eagle High School
2017                 35   W   Kianna Funderburk   NC   5' 10"   Myers Park HS (Charlotte, NC)
2017                 35   P   Morgan Davis   FL   6' 4"   Bishop Moore Catholic HS (FL)
2017                 35   P   Ogheneruona Uwusiaba   GA   6' 3"   Southwest Dekalb High School
2017                 35   G   Reilly Olmstead   IN   5' 8"   Brownsburg HS (Brownsburg, IN)
2017                 35   PG   Shannon Sharp   TN   5' 5"   Houston (Germantown, TN)
2017                 35   G   Shianne Johnson   TX   5' 8"   Killeen HS
2017                 35   PG   Vanessa Oyola   TX   5' 5"   Smithson Valley (TX)
2017                 30   W   Alayijah Sherer   MS   6' 0"   Tupelo HS (MS)
2017                 30   G   Aliyah Ahmad   CA   5' 7"   Corona Centennial
2017                 30   W      Alyric Scott      MS   5' 10"   
2017                 30   P   Arianna LaLonde   AZ   6' 5"   Chandler High School
2017                 30   F      Baylie Wieck      OH   5' 11"   Oakhills (OH)
2017                 30   PG   Bianca Hernandez   TX   5' 5"   Reagan High School
2017                 30   F   Brittany Bongartz   MN   6' 2"   Anoka HS (MN)
2017                 30   W      Casey Carr      IA   5' 10"   WDM Valley
2017                 30   G   Chloe Morrison   WA   5' 9"   Archbishop Murphy
2017                 30   PG   Deovion Young   WI   5' 7"   Divine Savior Holy Angels
2017                 30   G   Destiny Waters   FL   5' 7"   Boca Raton Community HS (FL)
2017                 30   P   Destiny Williams   NC   6' 1"   West Forsyth HS (Clemmons, NC)
2017                 30   P   Drucilla Dawson   TN   6' 4"   Gatlinburg Pittman HS (TN)
2017                 30   W   Dynasty Carter   FL   5' 10"   West Orange High School (Winter Garden, Fla.)
2017                 30   W   Emiline Payne   TN   5' 9"   Station Camp (Gallatin, TN)
2017                 30   G   Emily Conroe   VA   5' 10"   
2017                 30   G   Emily Daniel   TX   5' 8"   Georgetown-East View
2017                 30   F   Gabby Burris   OH   5' 10"   Liberty Union HS (Baltimore, OH)
2017                 30   PG   Haeli Howard   KY   5' 6"   Marion County
2017                 30   G   Halle Hughes   TN   5' 9"   Bradley Central (TN)
2017                 30   P   Hannah Knight   TX   6' 2"   Floresville HS
2017                 30   F   Hannah McIntire   GA   6' 1"   Greenbrier HS (Evans, GA)
2017                 30   G   Haverlynn "Lo" Bracy   MO   5' 6"   Kirkwood MO HS (MO)
2017                 30   PG   Jamaya Galloway   MS   5' 6"   Bay HS (Bay St. Louis, MS)
2017                 30      Jayden Eggleston   NV   6' 0"   Centennial HS (Las Vegas, NV)
2017                 30   G   Jazmyn Brown   OR   5' 6"   Tigard HS (OR)
2017                 30   PG   Jordan Brock   KY   5' 8"   Harlan County HS (KY)
2017                 30   G   Jordan Schinas   MN   5' 10"   Eden Prairie HS (MN)
2017                 30   PG   Kayla Anderson   ID   5' 8"   Mountain View
2017                 30   G   Keyonna Jones   WA   5' 7"   Bothell HS
2017                 30   F   Kylee Johnson   WA   5' 10"   Kentlake High School
2017                 30   F   Lyneya Turner   CA   5' 11"   Irvine HS
2017                 30   W   Maryrita Curcio   NY   6' 0"   
2017                 30   F   Mateya Hutton   MN   6' 0"   Shakopee HS (Shakopee, MN)
2017                 30   PG       Nia Harris        MN   5' 7"   The Blake School (Minneapolis, MN)
2017                 30   PG   Nicole Pinckney   AK   5' 5"   Chugiak HS (Chugiak, Alaska)
2017                 30   P   Olivia Nunn   NC   6' 2"   
2017                 30   P   Paige Warren   OH   6' 4"   Dublin Coffman High School
2017                 30   W   Payton Paro   FL   5' 9"   H.B. Plant HS (Tampa, Fla.)
2017                 30   PG   Sam Erisman   CA   5' 9"   Menlo HS
2017                 30   F   Stephanie Brower   FL   6' 1"   Wiregrass Ranch HS (FL)
2017                 30   W   Sydney Newsome   TN   5' 8"   Morristown-Hamblen West HS (Morristown, TN)
2017                 30   G   Sydney Snyder   PA   5' 8"   Northern Bedford County
2017                 30   PG   Tariah Johnson   NC   5' 8"   East Chapel Hill HS (Chapel Hill, NC)
2017                 30   PG   Tierney Porter   SC   5' 6"   Spring Valley HS (Columbia, SC)
2017                 30   PG   Zairya West   NC   5' 5"   Millbrook HS (Raleigh, NC)
2017                 30   W       Zyah Beal       KY   5' 8"   Holy Cross HS (Covington, KY)