Schroeder71 said:

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I love that phrase: "PerfectlyBerkeley" !

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I don't.

HoopDreams said:

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Schroeder71 said:

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I love that phrase: "PerfectlyBerkeley" !

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I don't.

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How about "Berkeley enough"?

As we saw last year, bringing in good players is a positive step. But to make the NCAA tournament, you need not just good players, but "difference makers". Last year, every team that made it to the tournament out of the PAC12 and the ACC had at least one all-conference level player. Hopefully, we are also talking to Beers and Gardiner from OSU, Leglar-Walker and maybe Vonleh from Colorado.

All good players. Supposedly Beers is deciding between UConn and Oklahoma. If true…sigh…

Vonleh committed to Baylor today.

The names you mentioned are all Pac-12 players. Who's to say we aren't talking to a potential "difference-maker" from another major conference? We did learn that 4 players in the portal would be visiting here. First commitment today.

SFCALBear72 said:

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Vonleh committed to Baylor today.

The names you mentioned are all Pac-12 players. Who's to say we aren't talking to a potential "difference-maker" from another major conference? We did learn that 4 players in the portal would be visiting here. First commitment today.

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There are not that many top post players in the portal. The break-up of the PAC12 has generated more top portal transfers than usual. Have you heard anything about the other players that have visited?

I am also thinking that we really need to get some top international players in the pipeline. That's how Washington State accelerated upwards in the past.

annarborbear said:

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SFCALBear72 said:

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Vonleh committed to Baylor today.

The names you mentioned are all Pac-12 players. Who's to say we aren't talking to a potential "difference-maker" from another major conference? We did learn that 4 players in the portal would be visiting here. First commitment today.

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There are not that many top post players in the portal. The break-up of the PAC12 has generated more top portal transfers than usual. Have you heard anything about the other players that have visited?

I am also thinking that we really need to get some top international players in the pipeline. That's how Washington State accelerated upwards in the past.

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Understood.

No, I have not. They've kept those names pretty well under wraps. I agree about the international players. We have history with that and there are scholarships available.

I also don't think we've quite solved our point guard need.

I wonder if she's heard of Rod Benson, former Cal player and current artist and writer. He also does a podcast on Cal MBB.

mbBear-I'm not certain how many transfers Cal can bring in this cycle but I believe that it's three. This would mean the Bears have two remaining openings for a starting PG and a 6-4 post player. Cal also could use another three-point shooter to replace Leilani McIntosh & Kemery Martin's ability to score from deep.

Bears have too many players that are one or two dimensional but possess limitations. I simply mean that a player might by an excellent three-point artist but is a liability on defense. Another might be a top scorer and rebounder but is the worst ball-handler on the team (turnovers).

Jayda Noble is a defensive specialist and a strong rebounding guard. She was sixth on the Huskies in assists and only averaged 3.3 points per game.

Schroeder71 said:

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mbBear-I'm not certain how many transfers Cal can bring in this cycle but I believe that it's three. This would mean the Bears have two remaining openings for a starting PG and a 6-4 post player. Cal also could use another three-point shooter to replace Leilani McIntosh & Kemery Martin's ability to score from deep.

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AFAIK we'll have 7 returning players (Michelle, Marta, Lulu, Mia, Claudia, Anastasia, Ioanna). We'll also have 4 incoming freshies (Gabrielle, Kamryn, Lola, Zahra) and so far 1 incoming transfer (Jayda). That adds up to 12 and the scholarship limit is 15.

I'll be somewhat surprised if we use all 15 scholarships since that would leave some unhappy campers sitting on the bench. However I'm sure we'll take any difference makers we can get. I agree a PG and C should be our top priorities.

Given her absence at the banquet, I think Mia is not a returnee at this point. Things change, however. We'll see.

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Given her absence at the banquet, I think Mia is not a returnee at this point. Things change, however. We'll see.

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Mia still identifies herself as Cal #21 on social media. On one post she noted that she graduates next month, I don't know if that will affect her decision to go or stay if she is indeed contemplating leaving the program. For now no news is good news, I suppose.

Finnish Oski said:

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Quote:

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Given her absence at the banquet, I think Mia is not a returnee at this point. Things change, however. We'll see.

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Mia still identifies herself as Cal #21 on social media. On one post she noted that she graduates next month, I don't know if that will affect her decision to go or stay if she is indeed contemplating leaving the program. For now no news is good news, I suppose.

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If Mia is not coming back then I expect Jayda to assume the role of defensive specialist as well as plus rebounder (career 6.2 per 30 minutes).

A new complexity is that Stanford now also seems to be looking for some portal players. They are probably looking mainly at the Ivy League grad transfers.

Since Mia's family went to Cal, and she played at Miramonte, she may stay.

According to the information provided above, Charmin Smith still should have 4 portal transfer openings if she wishes to use 'em. This is assuming Mia Mastrov does not return. I would imagine that the HC will attempt to deploy three more and hold one in reserve. In case Mia Mastrov, Kemery Martin or McKayla Williams decides to return. GO BEARS!

Looking at the point guards that are still out there in the portal, the three that make the most sense would be:

Kaitlyn Chen, Princeton - Grad Transfer, 15.8 ppg, 4.9 apg, 2.9 to/pg, 48.8% field goal percentage. 32.8% three-point percentage, 76.6% free throw percentage. Downside is available for only one year.

Tess Heal, Santa Clara - Two more years of eligibility, 19.5 ppg, 4.9 apg, 3.9 to/pg, 46.2% field goal percentage, 35.2% three-point percentage. 87% free throw percentage. Could also help establish an Australian connection. Downside is stats were not as good against 5 PAC12 opponents last year - 42% shooting percentage, 19 assists, 20 TO's.

Charlisse Leger-Walker, WSU - Grad Transfer. No explanation needed. Not a true point guard, but 5.1 assists per game. Produces winning basketball. Downside - coming back from serious injury and available for only one year.

I might have also mentioned Deja Kelly from North Carolina, But here is a quote from ESPN on her:

"Kelly has also established herself as a standout in the NIL (name, image and likeness) space, boasting deals with Tommy Hilfiger, Cros, Beats by Dre and more".

More power to her, but we are not going to be able to compete with that.

Leger-Walker supposedly committed to UCLA tonight

Woodacre said:

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Leger-Walker supposedly committed to UCLA tonight

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Yes, confirmed by Raoul on his WBB Blog.

annarborbear said:

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Looking at the point guards that are still out there in the portal, the three that make the most sense would be:

Kaitlyn Chen, Princeton - Grad Transfer, 15.8 ppg, 4.9 apg, 2.9 to/pg, 48.8% field goal percentage. 32.8% three-point percentage, 76.6% free throw percentage. Downside is available for only one year.

Tess Heal, Santa Clara - Two more years of eligibility, 19.5 ppg, 4.9 apg, 3.9 to/pg, 46.2% field goal percentage, 35.2% three-point percentage. 87% free throw percentage. Could also help establish an Australian connection. Downside is stats were not as good against 5 PAC12 opponents last year - 42% shooting percentage, 19 assists, 20 TO's.

Charlisse Leger-Walker, WSU - Grad Transfer. No explanation needed. Not a true point guard, but 5.1 assists per game. Produces winning basketball. Downside - coming back from serious injury and available for only one year.

I might have also mentioned Deja Kelly from North Carolina, But here is a quote from ESPN on her:

"Kelly has also established herself as a standout in the NIL (name, image and likeness) space, boasting deals with Tommy Hilfiger, Cros, Beats by Dre and more".

More power to her, but we are not going to be able to compete with that.

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What do you all think of OSU's Donovyn Hunter? I see a long PG with a well-rounded game who has 3 years of eligibility remaining.