Utah point guard Mercedes Staples commits to Gophers! ( No. 64 in ESPN Top 100)

BleedGopher

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Go Gophers!!
 

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Go Gophers!!
 

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/high-...t-star-mercedes-staples-commits-to-minnesota/



Staples originally signed with Clemson but requested a release to explore her options elsewhere after the school fired coach Audra Smith.

“I never thought I’d have to go through this process again, but I couldn’t have done it without the help of my family and AAU coach,” she posted on Twitter. “I am happy to announce my decision to attend University of Minnesota for the next four years!”
 

#64 is going to be happy backing up Paige?

Too many guards, Stollings V2.0!
 

http://www.startribune.com/lindsay-...mercedes-staples-coming-to-gophers/482218641/

My, "you can never have too many point guards", will be put to the test.


“Mercedes is someone that has a lot of different skills and brings a lot to the team,” Whalen said in a statement. “She can pass it with the best of them, can see the floor, can shoot and can score it. She’s got great size and length so we’re really excited about her joining our Gopher family. Getting to know her and her family over the last few weeks has been really fun, and we’re just thrilled that she’s going to be a part of our program.”

The Centerville, Utah product averaged 22 points and four assists for Viewmont last season.
 


Is anyone out there shocked at the notion that a team coached by Lindsey Whalen might be considering a multi-guard system? If you've got 2 players equally capable of playing the point, and they are among the best players on the team, then figure out a way to get them both on the court at the same time.
 

A top 100 recruit in the first year? I like it! I'm hoping she finds her next Janel McCarville soon also. :)
 

Two outstanding gets by Lindsay in Sara Scalia, an outstanding shooter with great range and Mercedes Staples, an outstanding tall point guard with great court vision!! Now she needs to get an equally accomplished bigger player!!
 

#64 is going to be happy backing up Paige?

Too many guards, Stollings V2.0!

Staples will have been on campus for two years before Paige is done with HS. Don't think it will be a issue
 



Uselessly connected information alert:

Mercedes Staples received her release from Clemson after former Florida coach Amanda Butler took the Clemson job. Subsequently, Butler recruited former Gator and Minnesota native Mikayla Hayes to the Tigers roster. Butler also named, to her staff, Shimmy Gray-Miller whom Marlene Stollings replaced at Texas Tech.
 

There is never a time when I question why we have so many ball handlers on the floor.....

Bring it on.

Now we need someone to give us interior defense and rebounding and it's looking like an amazing start to Whalen's run.
 

And how on earth could I forget maybe the best of the backcourt group Lesila Finau!!! Yikes!!!
 

And how on earth could I forget maybe the best of the backcourt group Lesila Finau!!! Yikes!!!

Three guard lineups where all can shoot the three pointer and a couple of posts is becoming pretty common in basketball these days. The U of M article indicates the Gophers have a couple of taller agile posts that can shoot committed so hopefully they can compliment the influx of quality guards.
 



Three guard lineups where all can shoot the three pointer and a couple of posts is becoming pretty common in basketball these days. The U of M article indicates the Gophers have a couple of taller agile posts that can shoot committed so hopefully they can compliment the influx of quality guards.

More important, we generally played a four guard lineup (with some notable exceptions) last season and Whalen hasn't indicated any changes are coming. Again, it looks as if we can get four good three point shooters on the court.
 

More important, we generally played a four guard lineup (with some notable exceptions) last season and Whalen hasn't indicated any changes are coming. Again, it looks as if we can get four good three point shooters on the court.

Sometimes maybe even five if Byrne can shoot the three as well as advertised.
 

Sometimes maybe even five if Byrne can shoot the three as well as advertised.

Good catch; odds are pretty good that she can. Stollings had a pretty good record identifying players whose three point shooting translated to the college game.
 

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Point Guard U!

Edit- Sorry hungan1. Just saw you beat me to it in another thread.
Great minds...
 





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