What does LaMiles Brooks’ draft stock look like headed into this season?
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GTSMURF: In regards to women’s basketball, CNF has brought in a solid class of freshman guards for the 2024-25 season. Where we lack is in the post, where we have two returning Freshman who received limited, irregular time during last season and a third who did not see the floor after the non-conference schedule, but have high ceilings for their potential. Is Coach Nell working the transfer portal to bring in some immediate help in the post? If so, how many based on available scholarships and who are they recruiting?
Jack: Your observations are spot on. There is an expectation for Ari Termis to make a leap next season and be a bigger contributor in the post, but likely she won’t be a massively dominant force. Right now, unless you have someone like the recently drafted Elizabeth Kitley at the boards, stacking up on guards seems to be the gameplan, at least in the ACC. Nell has said in past press conferences that it’s a guards league right now (see: Olivia Miles, Hannah Hidalgo, Ta’Niya Latson, Dyaisha Fair, etc.), and so it doesn’t surprise me that she has made that a priority.
Anything can happen in the portal. I don’t know who in particular they are targeting, but I’m hoping it’s a good rebounder because Kara Dunn & Kayla Blackshear just cannot be called on to kep being the main rebounders. The fact we haven’t seen any of our core starting lineup leave I think is a great sign that they at least are bought into what Fortner is selling them. I believe they’ll have a couple scholarship spots to work with, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they go with the same strategy of finding a grad/5th-year transfer to fill in a gap.
Jake: I think the relative calm on the WBB front is telling. I would think that there’s certainly ceiling for development from the players already on the roster, and the lack of notable movement there could mean the staff agrees (though it is still early there). The staff really put together an excellent incoming freshman class for this coming year — I, for one, haven’t been this excited in a while — with four incoming Jackets and featuring highly in the ESPN rankings, but with five walking on Senior Day, it looks like we have a single spot to fill there. I do think that the post is the biggest need, then, to fill it.
Submitted via email: What is the path to getting drafted for LaMiles Brooks? And how high could he conceivably go given what he’s done to this point?
While we’re on the topic, who else could we see get drafted after this coming season is done?
Ben: LaMiles Brooks is a guy I could definitely see getting drafted. As for how high, I think that heavily depends on how he does this year. He had a slight step back last year in terms of production, but if he can come out and have a big season, I could see him being a mid-round guy. After the season, I would not be the least bit shocked to see Haynes King throw his hat into the NFL Draft ring if he has a big season. He would need to cut down on the interceptions, though.