Report to Your Dream Forts: Potential Texas Tech Lady Raider Portal Targets

Updated: 4/15/24

Build the forts, get to the forts, live in the forts: ITS BLING BLING SEASON Y'ALL!

After getting off to their best start to conference play in over a decade, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders saw their season crumble thereafter due to further injuries, illness and voodoo dolls (okay fine we added this one but COME ON BASKETBALL GAWDS, COME ON!) Prior to that, even while developing through some growing pains, this core showed it was good enough to do damage as seen in wins over future NCAA Tournament teams Kansas and Iowa State early in conference. Now it's time to build around that returning group.

As it stands, the Lady Raiders have five open spots on their roster headed into next season and they will look to fill some or all of those via both the NJCAA ranks (see past news on two targets there) and the transfer portal. With the latter in mind, the players below have caught our eye that fit needs / compliment our returners well. Also some just because they are hella fun: sue us if you must. Keep in mind, it's very early in this process and there are some inevitably intriguing names yet to even hit the portal. We will continue to update as warranted.

Jalynn Bristow (Holliday, Texas) ● Iowa State ● Fr. ● 6-2 ● F/G

15.2 MPG ● 5.1 PPG ● 3.7 RPG ● 47.7 FG% ● 37.9 3P% ● 72.7 FT%

UPDATE: Visiting Texas Tech 4/11

Former Ms. Texas High School Basketball and No. 48 ranked prospect in the Class of 2023's ESPNW Top 100 ranking, Bristow held offers from the likes of Penn State, Alabama, Oklahoma and yep you guessed it Texas Tech among others before ultimately committing to Iowa State.

Bristow helped Holliday, Texas to a 3A State Championship her senior season so perhaps a return to Texas is a draw for this budding star. What should also be a draw however is how perfect a fit her rangy 6'2, long build and dynamic skill set would be in the Lady Raiders more full-court scheme they played when at their best before injuries forced them out of it.

A trail three from a 6-2 forward in transition against the No.4 team in the country as a freshman? GIMME. She shot 37.9% from three on 1.8 attempts per game if you were wondering, I know you were wondering. Reminds me a lot of Aaliyah Roberson from TCU in this way, so it surprised me very little when the analytics pulled Roberson as one of the top 4 most comparable players in the Power 6 conferences to Jalynn this season (shown further down.)

Her length and hand quickness help her make plays like this with ease, even out of the patented Cyclones zone. Will need to clean up her feet at times on defense but her potential as an on-ball defender who can switch onto both guards and forwards in a man scheme would fit in nicely with players like Merritt, Freelon and Martin (incoming freshman) who can do the same. As for the finish in transition to end the clip? Sure she could have passed it, but spacing was awkward and she avoided the charge with grace to get the bucket. GIMME. Let her run free!

I could go on for hours with clips but will leave it with this one for now because it shows it all. First off, watch closely as she gets the clean tip on the entry pass to the post leading to the steal and run out for Iowa State. Two, watch her off-ball movement streaking into the lane. Three, doesn't get the ball but keeps working, posting up, staying ready. Four, doesn't get the ball but sees the shot go up and immediately battles for position to get a pivotal board and put back.

Five, and I cannot stress this one enough....she does this as a freshman in overtime in a NCAA tournament game versus 2 seed Stanford....AT STANFORD. Gamer. Gimme. Dream Fort assemble. Come on home.

Comps:

**Comparisons are based solely on statistics shown, %s shown are the percent out of 100 in which the player in question is a statistical match to the listed players. The top four matches are listed.

Caitlin Weimar (Cortland Manor, NY) ● BostonUniversity ● Sr. ● 6-4 ● F/C

35.6 MPG ● 18.7 PPG ● 10.6 RPG ● 2.0 APG ● 2.8 BLK ● 55.3 FG%

Not exactly a geographic fit like Bristow but she is absolutely a system fit, that if we could get to Lubbock would go apoplectic with a year under Coach Plenette Pierson in the post. Okay maybe that's an exaggeration as she is already really impressive in the paint, but watching her tape it's hard to imagine she couldn't find major success under Coach P with the players Texas Tech would have returning around her. I think often about the growth we saw from Jordyn Merritt last season who was forced into that 5 position out of necessity and really cleaned up her finishing (especially through contact) as the season went.

Moves are clean and finishes through contact. She's a bucket in the paint. Making her the perfect fit alongside players like Merritt (6'3) and Nworie (6'5) who are at their best when they have the freedom to roam some on the perimeter as well. Let Weimar handle the paint while those two roam on offense and sheesh the size and rim protection from all of them on defense would be...*looks up cost of a Big 12 Champ ring.*

When I pulled her top comps from power 6 players, the results were near comical coming back with Raegan Beers, Aaliyah Edwards, Angel Reese and Sedona Prince. Sure she didn't face the same competition as this group every night so statistical analysis is never going to be fair in that right....but don't get it twisted, when given the opportunity she has performed well against the best too. Most recently this past season she went for 16 points and 12 boards against Top 25 and Sweet 16 Colorado.

All that offensive talk to say....defense is where she really makes her mark, posting ELITE numbers in multiple categories (see above.) Weimar finished the season in the 96th percentile in block%, 95th percentile in defensive rebounding % all while also being in the 99th percentile personal foul efficiency. I note this as she does average near 3 fouls a game but as a big, given the impact she is making with the amount of steals/blocks she is getting, her foul rate is actually impressive. If it translates to this level I will leave to actual coaches to decide, but something tells me we will see her on that stage next season with someone.

Comps:

Ajae Petty (Baltimore, MD) ● Kentucky ● Sr. ● 6-3 ● F

31.2 MPG ● 14.2 PPG ● 10.6 RPG ● 1.0 APG ● 1.3 STL ● 3.0 TO ● 50.7 FG%

UPDATE: Committed to Ohio State 4/15

Ranked as the No. 1 post player in the entire Class of 2020, and No. 16 overall, Petty spent time at LSU prior to her recent stint in Kentucky where she really started to see her star potential come out towards the end of this season. With a coaching change in Lexington, she has entered her name into the portal will be a hot commodity this transfer period. She could also choose to return and play for the recently hired Kenny Brooks at Kentucky, one to keep an eye on.

As the clip shows, Petty is both a bucket on the inside and an elite rebounder (her 10.8 reb is 18th in the country.) Strong through contact as well. But most importantly, I like Petty as a fit in the Lady Raiders scheme due to the hopeful debut of 6'5 JoJo Nworie next season. While she has the height of a typical center, Nworie has more guard skills than people realize so ideally she is paired with a frontcourt mate like Petty who can own the lane and allow her to roam in and out freely. Petty can definitely get on the outside as well and take people off the drive from there, but she isn't one to shoot from outside the paint (see graphic below.) Conversely on defense, in theory they could almost trade places with Nworie's height and rim protection sliding into the lane and Petty's versatility and athleticism allowing her to matchup with the numerous athletic combo 4s in the Big 12. Also her rebounding....THE REBOUNDING....let me dream. 🧘‍♀️

As for her comps, Big 12 fans will know her closest one (statistically) in Kansas' Taiyanna Jackson well. Feels laughable to say 6'3 is undersized but compared to the 6'6 Jackson, it's impressive she finished and rebounded at a similar rate, particularly without having the threat of an outside shot to draw people out. Would come down to if the staff sees a scheme fit with this one, but hard not to be intrigued by a talent of Petty's caliber.

Comps:

DeeDee Hagemann (Detroit, MI) ● Michigan State ● Jr. ● 5-7 ● PG

31.6 MPG ● 12.3 PPG ● 2.4 RPG ● 5.2 APG ● 1.0 STL ● 1.8 TO ● 51.5 FG% ● 41 3P%

Update 4/13/24: Committed to Ole Miss

How high can we build a dream fort? Let me know because I will do it. We talked about showtime, bring your popcorn before last season? You add a player of DeeDee's ability and flair to this core that loved to run when at their best last season.....let us dream.

The above clip is from her freshman season but I included it for a few reasons. You'll note the defensive pressure and trapping from the Spartans in this...and most importantly how Hagemann looked playing in that scheme. She had 1.3 and 2.0 steals per game in her freshman and sophomore seasons, but only averaged 1.0 steal a game this past season as a junior. Why? My guess is a scheme change as they had a new coach at the helm this year. Put her back in a more pressure scheme and let her cook again.....hello Lubbock.

Also note her passing flair in this clip? Her creativity gives me MiLaysia Fulwiley vibes....big words I know but go look up more Hagemann clips, she has that spice to her game. And most importantly she does it without being reckless too, averaging only 1.8 TOs a game while dishing out 5.2 assists per game. Let her run with Kilah or Jordyn? Maybe even Bristow if the team can bring her home (mentioned above.) LOLOLOL it's over y'all it's over. Need more? Okay fine, imagine Hagemann dicing up defenses and dropping dimes to Jada, Jazzy, Bird or Bailey for three. More? Fine, if I must. IMAGINE HAGEMANN THROWING ALLEY-OOPS TO JOJO?! Brb, picking out the best spot for that Big 12 Championship banner now.

In case you didn't believe me on the flair, how about a casual in transition behind the back cross over layup against the top team in the conference? Running out of popcorn yet? I got more.

If you've watched any Michigan State games during her time there you know this move well. She has the spin cycle patented at this point but defenders still can't seem to stop it. With the way the Lady Raiders could space the floor next season with shooters and versatility all around spreading out a defense...she would have all the room she needs to blender her way to an First Team All-Conference spot and make this team an instant contender. Book it.

Due to the coaching and potential scheme changes outlined previously, I added her comps for both this past season and the year prior. Interesting changes for sure as she grew leaps and bounds in her offensive efficiency this past season, but her defensive numbers were much more better the year prior. If those combine for her senior year alongside her ever steady ball control numbers? We are talking All-Conference and higher potential. DREAM FORTS NOW! 🧘‍♀️

Comps:

'23-'24 Season

'22-'23 Season

Nani Falatea (Salt Lake City, UT) ● BYU ● So. ● 5-9 ● PG

34.9 MPG ● 15.3 PPG ● 3.9 RPG ● 4.5 APG ● 1.6 STL ● 4.1 TO ● 39.2 FG% ● 36.7 3P%

Coming into the season as one of the leading scorers for the Cougars, and one of the top point guards in the conference, Falatea's departure from the team turned heads back in December. Now that she is in the portal she will and has already gotten interest from a number of high major teams including Oregon, Purdue and Oklahoma State in addition to Texas Tech.

Utah is one of the better programs in the country and she is simply toying with defenders on this play. She has a swagger to her game without even trying, smooth with it. The more I watch her mannerisms she reminds me of returning Lady Raider leading scorers Shavers and Maupin in this way, so attitude wise she would fit right in with those two from the jump. Turnovers need to continue to be cleaned up but there is zero question her quickness and handles on the drive are there. Come on over to Lubbock and let's have some fun Nani.

She knocked in 36.7% of her threes as a sophomore, taking a healthy dose of them too totaling 169 on the year. A good reason why being her quick release as you can see in this buzzer beater above. Go under a screen versus us at your own peril if she is our point guard alongside shooters Wynn, Maupin, Shavers and the incoming Bird Martin as well.

Turnover numbers from her sophomore season give some pause and would want to know more about the root cause of those. Overall it was still less than her impressive 4.5 assist per game to keep that at a 1:1 ratio essentially....but still a worthy concern given the amount of pressure defenses in the Big 12. She did however show MAJOR signs of growth in this area in her limited action this season, averaging only 1.3 turnovers per game versus her 4.7 assists - that my friends is All-Conference+ material all day if she can maintain it. More than worth a look and given she would fit a big need, it's no surprise the staff has made contact.

Comps (based on '22-'23):

Veronica Sheffey (Woodinville, WA) ● San Diego ● So. ● 5-9 ● PG

29.9 MPG ● 12.2 PPG ● 3.2 RPG ● 5.1 APG ● 1.5 STL ● 3.7 TO ● 41.8 FG%

Staying on the point guard train I give you this year's under the radar player that refused to let me ignore her because every time I sorted out stats with categories important to a PG role in the Texas Tech system.....Sheffey was one near the top of the list every single time. Some question marks to her game but, sometimes you have to give in and watch the tape when a player KEEPS showing up on these lists....so I did.

The one aspect of her offensive game that she doesn't necessarily jump off the page (yet) is 3-point shooting, where she only attempted 34 on the season, despite hitting 32.4%. A percentage in her role I can more than live with but perhaps in a more shooter friendly scheme like ours she would be able to get more up and become a true weapon there. It doesn't feel like quickness would be something that stops her from making the jump to Power 5, at least offensively, if that's where she has her sights set.

Plays with great pace and IQ. Similar to how a good softball pitcher never tips their pitches by keeping the same release point (stay with me here) Sheffey's movement from shot to pass is near identical. This makes her tough to read for defenders in tight spaces, helping her get the shot up or pass it to her teammate more times than not even amongst taller, longer players. Her processing abilities seem to be pretty high level too based on what I've seen, especially in transition (more below.)

Sheffey's distribution skills and control of her team are what really jump out, coming in at 39th in the entire country in assists with 5.1 per game. Even better, she thrives in a transition, up-tempo style of play which makes her a perfect fit for this Texas Tech team.

The number aren't perfect, EFG% is a question...especially closer to rim. I have some concerns about if an average TOV% would spike in the wrong direction against the aggressive defenses in this league or if her somewhat concerning foul tendencies would get worse against quicker players. Yadda yadda yadda but I can't ignore the intrigue because there's definitely something about her worth looking at, is she Big 12 ready? I'll leave that to actual coaches to decide but she flashes on tape and certainly posted some solid performances against good competition this season when given the opportunity.

11/14 Arizona: 15 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl

12/2 USC: 7 pts, 2 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl

12/7 SDSU: 23 pts, 3 reb, 8 ast, 2 stl

1/13 Gonzaga: 20 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast

2/1 Gonzaga: 6 pts, 8 reb, 8 ast, 1 stl

2/22 Santa Clara: 11 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl

Lastly, if you know me, you know how much I respect what Amari Whiting brought to BYU this year so when her name came out as the closest comp for Sheffey (Harris is a fun one too), my interest was officially piqued.

Comps:

*Analytics referenced in this article came from CBB Analytics.

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