I think the rough blueprint for what Odom is hoping for is Nate Oats at Alabama. His first recruiting class there, the 2026 equivalent for Odom, was just okay. He snagged late bloomer Josh Primo who wound up being one and done, but otherwise nothing to write home about.
But then by his 2nd class, he pulled in a couple big fish, even then players they had advantages with, a five star in-state guard and a big guy from Canada where Oats always had a pipeline. But then the 3rd year, the 2028 equivalent for Odom, it was on and he was able to get top guys from all over.
Iām not saying the same thing will happen here but I do think thatās kinda what theyāre hoping for. Itās why youāre seeing them pursue players that seem out of our league at the momentā¦trying to set the tone that UVA will be in that mix. Oats had some good fortune there early on that probably helped make that recruiting leap. He inherited future NBA guys.
Oh there were a lot of things to write home about after he went to the league (all bad).
More seriously, the 3-year timeline makes sense. I wonder if theyāll be kinda choosy with their reach guys (ie guys who youāre not so sure will be players at this level) because they know they can go international for a spot or two.
Curiousā¦ in this new world, why would we be out of anyoneās league. In the old model, the blue bloods had history, reputation, nationally televised games, path to the NBA, and money under the table. There were clear football schools and clear basketball schools. Doesnāt seem like those advantages are reserved for select programs as much anymore. And we just spent as much money as anyone on our team. For a long time, we were also battling the stigma of our pace and style of play under Bennett. So Iāve been wondering, what if anything is handicapping us now?
High school recruiting hasnāt changed that much. Iām not saying money canāt sway a recruit here and there but for the most part itās still about the same things. Everybody has advantages and disadvantages. The key is to recruit to those advantages. For Odom, heās going to play up his style and having opportunity for high end guys that wonāt be as clear as other places. But he doesnāt have the track record of other coaches yet.
Oh this is a great strategy comp. Iāve been using the Kelsey Louisville but this may be betterā¦
I wouldnāt be surprised if Odom snags a top guy in the next class. Maybe not top 5 but a top 25 guy. Especially if he has a successful season year 1.
I wonder how much consideration might be given to staying vaguely in it with guys committed to potential coaching change spots. Iād be eying Michigan State, UNC, UCLA, etc. guys in case something weird happens and weāve had a nice year 1 under Odom.
@HoozGotNext you think this is a good watchlist for offers? (Odom seems more unpredictable)
Quentin Coleman
Symon Ghai
Aeneas Alexander
Julius Avent (They watched PSA cardinals some even without Mingo)
Jalyn Collingwood
Maximo Adams (Theus started following)
Colben Landrew (if itās not too late)
Ethan MgBako (they watched team Melo some and Young Mgbako is at Oak Hill).
Yabbi Aklog (not as likely but strong few weeks with multiple staff follows)
Ralph Scott the Bermuda kid
and Pops Dinson
edit: Forgot Jalan Wingfield. Crawford followed him and then Tipton made the āThis kidās recruitment is wide open no longer top 10ā. Been a standout performer at Adidas. Also I will never stop manifesting #offerdariusbivins and maybe Pendergrass. And staff looking at Collin Ross
I guess. Add Darkari Spears, and wonāt surprise me if they take a swing at other longer shot Texans Austin Goosby or Aziz Olajuwon. I donāt have as good of a read on the Adidas guys, coaches were harder to track there.
While recruiting may not have changed that much, the real issue going forward will be retention. At least, IMO. While things are changing a bit fast, I have a suspicion that we may see teams which enjoy both continuity and decent talent finishing ahead of teams with elite, if not temporary, talent. Of course, a lot of this will depend on the nature of the contracts between players and schools. The other fly in the ointment will be agents. Just as weāve watched the emergence of prep schools focused almost entirely on basketball development for elite talent, will we see the creation of large talent agencies offering their services to high school players? Where thereās money to be madeā¦
This already is happening and the same agencies that represent elite pro basketball players represent the college and high school ones.
Ryan Dunn was repped by CAA starting the summer before his 2nd year, for example.
Iām less worried about the elite players, who are going to typically be with well-established and professional agencies that span many sports, and more about the guys at the margins.
Yeah I mean didnāt Cooper Flagg have a New Balance deal before playing a game at Duke? A Nike school no less. The top guys are definitely already represented in some capacity, officially or not, coming out of high school.
247 is reporting that big man Arafan Diane is planning to visit. I had written him off. Odom saw him the first week at Adidas but he played at a side event in Augusta last week and they never showed up.
He has a story very much like Mamadi. Heās even from Guinea. Itās one of those guardian/handler situations, the Iowa United coach is in charge. Which sometimes creates a kooky recruitment. And thatās not necessarily bad for us in this situation. Wouldnāt be hopeful about it, but heās one of these recruits that will be unpredictable.
Thereās a short window coming up when recruits can take visits, July 28-Aug 3. He said before heās going to VCU for an unofficial (kooky right?), and then to Houston. So maybe going two for one on the VA trip, weāll see what date comes out.