What Happened To Every No. 1 Women’s Basketball Recruit Since 2010?

[@charmainec.4882]

great video, it's nice to see informative stuff like this in my recommendations instead of the usual clickbait guys are making now that the wnba is getting more attention. keep it up!

[@HunterCruse14]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@aliciamcdonald7105]

Second this.

[@tomsharkey3072]

Yes!

[@leiannb.wrytes8893]

Yesss!!

[@ak_hoops]

agreed!

[@mongoslade277]

Chiney"s older sister Nneka was the #1 overall pick in the WNBA draft also. Still going strong with the Seattle Storm

[@Mr..G]

He mentioned that Nneka was her sister which most already knew anyway, but the video was to highlight the #1 "high school" recruits not the #1WNBA draft picks, my friend. †

[@dbethea2744]

Facts

[@liarcheckmate701]

More of this! THIS builds the game. This teaches history to those of us getting up to speed. Great work!

[@mikailbumpus692]

@@liarcheckmate701 Well spoken, I completely agree with you. 👍 I’m very new to the WNBA, and Hunter does a fantastic job, very detailed, great commentary and thorough stat work, and it was by mere accident I stumbled upon Hunter’s videos, truly it is because of Hunter’s videos and commentary that I have learned a great deal That I wouldn’t have necessarily learned just watching the WNBA games. Thanks again for showing support for his channel.

[@commevache3756]

being so repetitive and sooo borrrringgg is not encouraging people to get 'up to speed.' I know bball and omg! can't stand it

[@tennparker1]

Mercedes has been a great role player... a big reason why she never really reached star status was the fact she played on bad feet for years, including in college and eventually had major surgery on both. Lady Vols for life and we love her and hate how hindered her career has been due to her feet but she recently won MVP and a championship in the Australian pros.

[@brorick5472]

Great work, man.keep it up. I am really hoping that Azzi can put together a healthy season. Fudd is a talent. There's no denying this..

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you! I hope so as well

[@surferzapper20]

I graduated South Carolina in 2013, but I'd followed the women's basketball team's growth through my four years and beyond. The craziest thing to me is hearing talking heads today refer to SC as a blue blood or major destination for WBB recruits. I remember how A'ja delayed her college announcement in 2014, and UConn fans on message boards saying there was "no way" she'd choose to stay home because SC couldn't possibly offer her anything of value. For perspective, SC had ended the 2013-14 season with its first regular season SEC title, still without a conference tournament title, and a disappointing Sweet 16 finish; at the time, that was the best season in program history. Then A'ja came, and everything changed...

[@jetshark970shark4]

You were being really nice with Modqueda-Lewis, the issue was she refused to get in shape and work on her athletic ability. She would do shooting drills and skills, but refused to hit weight room, do explosive work, or even conditioning. Prime example there was a drill that required her to sprint then slide back pedal, slide sprint and she jogged the whole time. Then she got in the WNBA and got even more lazy

[@nickgriffin2273]

Grew up & Graduated High School in 2017 from the same county as Megan Walker. She was the real deal & got me hooked on womens basketball. In my opinion, part of her downfall was choosing to go to UConn, which I get why she did since they had just come off 4 championships with Stewies class (she committed in 2016 i believe). Looking back, that 2021 class was so awful that she definitely could’ve stuck somewhere potentially and been one of the better players from that 2021 draft to me.

[@atlsuperstar]

So informative! I have went back and looked at some of those rankings. It’s amazing to see someone like Rhyne Howard. She was ranked very low coming out of high school or even Ki Ki from SC. It’s just really you never know.

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you!

[@justynvallin]

Thank you for an informative wnba KZbin channel I’ve been looking for something like this for a while, you got a new sub, thank you for making a new lane 🔥

[@izell80]

That 2020 class will go down as arguably the best class of all-time. Definitely the most transcendent.

[@RustyLou18]

Top 15 in 2020, NO nattys for PB, CC, etc... TWO for Kamilla, ONE for TeHina, ONE for Angel, ONE for Cameron.

[@simpforthesimpsons-cr1me]

One for PB freshman season I think and 2 natty appearances for CC and CC is the best college offensive player of all time so that doesn’t matter really for her…

[@Hendrix2.0n]

Hmm I disagree class of 2023 showed out this year they was probably the best class by far

[@Idklemmesee]

​@@Hendrix2.0n nah look up 2019

[@oneiric-diary]

@@RustyLou18 paige has one more year, so lets see what happens. uconn has a good chance at winning but u never know lol, same for tehina

[@jwells1914]

Awesome stuff as always. That 2020 class is insane!!! Also, UCONN’s S&C program needs to be better.

[@LJChibueze]

Great vid man! Keep going. Always looking at your subscribers after every vid. Hoping that number continues to grow with the content I continue to see 🙏🏾

[@HunterCruse14]

I appreciate it!

[@abbiewaters1085]

Thank you for this content! Nice to hear good helpful takes about the W. Subscribed and a fan!

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you!!

[@ThomasBeauchemin-z4b]

Well done!! Very measured and informative!!

[@jas7374]

I was at Westfield HS in O8 when Neka Ogwumeke was being pushed on ESPN. Made me feel good that local talent got some shine and glad to see she is still going

[@carr5629]

Thanks for this!

[@HunterCruse14]

My pleasure!

[@nr14989]

If Katie Lou can do 40% in the 3pt line for the Fever, they will be unstoppable in the 2nd half of the season

[@RustyLou18]

Don't get excited.

[@simpforthesimpsons-cr1me]

Dude what they would be great if that happens so we are excited

[@chrixtian]

lexie hull took her spot lol

[@wbbfan7821]

Super video. Nothing hurts me as much as Lauren Cox. After her injury in the national championship game she led her team to she was never as agile

[@shaywatson4285]

Now this is some top tier research!!! GREAT VIDEO!!

[@Eaglefeathers84]

Subscribed! Loving ur vids, thanks a bunch!

[@HunterCruse14]

Appreciate that! 🥹

[@mariettedorobis6967]

illuminating for everyone who tries to use recruiting rankings against players like Clark!

[@spiritanimaldaniels]

Great trip down memory lane!! I forgot about Lauren Cox. Now I remember their championship run. PJ Brown’s daughter. DiDi Richards with the Afro puffs. the baddie that was like the 5th option who still plays in the league. They were stacked

[@mikailbumpus692]

Thanks Hunter, a great video topic and commentary! 👍 I’m not surprised by Stewart and Wilson on this list, I consider them very consistant Solid WNBA Players. Alot of fascinating and Interesting facts in this Video that I didnt know. It was interesting learning how many attended UConn on this list. As for Bueckers, I live in Minnesota and I actually got to see Paige play abit when I lived in The Twin Cities around Hopkins and the Suburbs back in 2016 to 2018 while Working in the Twin Cities area at a Casino, One of my Security Officer coworkers Had a little sister that went to that school too, so a few coworkers and I would sometimes go to the Minnetonka area to watch some of the area high school and other Basketball games. I think Nia Coffey of WNBA Atlanta Dream Actually attended that same high school, Im Not 100% on that, maybe you would know Hunter? And I can’t say I remember much of the all the games I saw Paige play, but She did have a great 1st game, I think it was a blowout because Hopkins defeated Osseo like by 40-50 points or something. But anyone could see, Paige was just a Natural Baller early on. Im still a Security Officer but I live in the Central part of Minnesota now Because this is where I’m more familiar and its Much more beautiful, With countless Lakes, rivers, and Forests and Nature up In this part of Minnesota. Don’t get me wrong, the Twin cities was good, Tons of stuff to do, Going to Twins games and a few Timberwolves games, the mall of America etc. But The Twin Cities area was just way too fast paced for me. Lol. Anyway, thanks again Hunter for the video and topic. Looking forward to the next one.

[@stevenstubbs9821]

Thank you for WNBA content. I truly appreciate it 🙏

[@belindafoster-eb5sb]

I respect a site where instead of just mean and hateful comments, facts are relayed. I started following the WNBA after the Sky won the championship in 2021. However, the sports channels did not talk much at all about the W until this year when Clark goes into the draft. I am glad the W is getting more attention, which means more viewers, higher salaries, and better accommodations. In addition, they sorely need better refs. But an honest assessment of the game and no race baiting, name calling is refreshing.

[@shaywatson4285]

I rarely agree with everything someone says but when u discussed each player i found myself constantly agreeing with every statement. Spot on my guy! An im only at Stewie

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you for watching!

[@shaynelee487]

Great analysis! Keep em coming!

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you!

[@danielmassoud4490]

This is a great video, and very eye-opening. Here is a list of the #1 WNBA picks by HS ranking as well: 2014: #1 Chiney Ogwumike - Stanford 2015: #4 Jewell Loyd - Notre Dame (HS class of 2012) 2016: #1 Breanna Stewart - UConn 2017: #26 Kelsey Plum - Washington 2018: #1 A’ja Wilson - South Carolina 2019: #11 Jackie Young - Notre Dame (HS class of 2016) 2020: #4 Sabrina Ionescu - Oregon 2021: #2 Charli Collier - Texas (not in WNBA, waived) 2022: #32 Rhyne Howard - Kentucky 2023: #3 Aliyah Boston - South Carolina 2024: #4 Caitlin Clark - Iowa Only 3 #1 picks have been #1 recruits (though Paige will almost certainly change that!)

[@josephterrell2835]

Lauren Cox went to Baylor which is a Big 12 school.

[@TheStranger513]

Been watching Uconn for 4 years now. Would've never thought Christyn Williams was a #1 recruit. Her shooting would be so streaky.

[@CheckBallUp]

she was extremely elite, coming out of HS. Putting up 30 for her was nothing. & was no debate, & she really still is elite. Just injuries man

[@djk1mya]

You are an Excellent analyst!!!

[@nunyadambiz2086]

Thank you for having a story that is not over the top, and has really good analysis and observations of these players. A'ja and Stewie are really the best, it was great seeing them on the Olympic team together. Thanks also for not having the click-bait, race-bait, anti-league narratives.

[@HunterCruse14]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@reyse123]

I remember all of the hype around Walker. That she was the best prospect in high school as a sophomore. So best in the 2015-2018 years. She was supposed to be the next Maya Moore

[@WO2411]

Remember I met Breanna Stewart at the 2012 McDonald’s jam fest seen her dunk in person. Little did I know she go on to be one of the greatest women’s players off All time 💯🔥

[@7266time]

Quite a few high rated UConn women that don’t make it.

[@bbwng54]

Nice topic, very nice, informative video.

[@HunterCruse14]

Glad you liked it!

[@vonte16]

this is a real example of the cream always rises to the top. remember the megan walker story and she clearly wasn’t ready after 3 years and went pro. think that extra year as a feature player at uconn would’ve changed her trajectory

[@IntelligencePerferred]

Awesome video ❤

[@k.t.a.Blessed]

You are good at what you do

[@HunterCruse14]

🫡🫡 thank you!

[@quinnakbar3080]

I got a wnba video idea do a wnba expansion video about which 2 cities will make it to 16 teams and love your videos

[@MiaPratt-lu4go]

I hope they bring back the Orlando miracle and Miami Sol and San Antonio Stars

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you!

[@KelzKelz]

Ir tne teams that was including the 1st W champions Houston Comets.

[@felipestrm]

great video

[@HunterCruse14]

Thanks!

[@Sports21all]

Really good video

[@brendabauman5568]

The big10 is Michigan/osu/etc. big12 is Kansas/Baylor/etc. thanks for the Videos, I don’t always agree but I always like to hear the opinions of other educated womens bball fans. ✌️💙🏀

[@kenyatta-qs3zk]

I clicked because I saw A’ja thought it was clickbait at first but this was act very interesting

[@HunterCruse14]

Haha thank you!

[@MrReymoclif714]

Aja is the one.

[@wbbfan7821]

1. Stewie (2012) 2. A’ja (2014) 3. Paige (2020) 4. Juju (2023) 5. Chiney (2010) 6. Mercedes (2013) 7. Katie Lou (2015) 8. KML (2011) 9. Haley (2019) 10. Cox (2016) 11. Christyn (2018) 12. Walker (2017) 13. Azzi (2021) 14. Betts (2022)

[@mariettedorobis6967]

putting betts that low is crazy

[@wbbfan7821]

@@mariettedorobis6967 she hasn’t done a thing compared to the rest of this list

[@mariettedorobis6967]

@@wbbfan7821 lol she’s already better than the majority of the players in this list

[@A350Airways]

The 2027 draft class is going to be loaded, or at least the top 2 prospects of the class are ones for the history books... for so many, the 2027 first overall pick will play out between JuJu Watkins and Zhang Ziyu. Personally the main 2 deciding factors will be the following as far as the 2027 first overall pick is concerned: - Whichever between JuJu and Ziyu will play best at the World Cup (if both play at the 2026 World Cup; Ziyu is more likely to play at the World Cup than JuJu) - Whether the team picking at #1 has bigger backcourt or frontcourt needs (assuming both play roughly equally well at the World Cup, or neither play at the World Cup, it would be JuJu if the team has bigger backcourt needs, Ziyu if the team has bigger frontcourt needs) If Ziyu proves as dominant at the senior World Cup in 2026 as she is right now at the U18 level, then it might move the needle towards Ziyu.

[@iamquita3]

Mercedes had foot surgeries while Tennessee and in the wnba. She was recently MVP in the league in Australia.

[@tmorgan7939]

Have you done one that goes through the #1 picks for the drafts going back to 2010 ? "Top ranked" HS athletes can be really biased based upon how they are promoted by the schools they attend. . . Just look at how that game plays out for College football.

[@Christysugur-x4i]

Juju is Not a Wing she a Guard i’m pretty sure She can most definitely play all position if she wanted to tho lol

[@704jiggy2]

2023 class greatest class of all time

[@WO2411]

2020 is way better than

[@704jiggy2]

@@WO2411 name them 😹

[@WO2411]

@@704jiggy2 He literally just named them all

[@704jiggy2]

@@WO2411he named all the no.1 recruits from 2010 til now he didn’t name all the 2020 recruits specifically

[@WO2411]

@@704jiggy2 listen to the 2020 part again 😐

[@R2Jizzo1]

I think Megan Walker can be given another chance but in a different role. Shooter maybe? Haley Jones has improved her shot from her Stanford days. I think she’s kinda better as SG than PG. If Katie Lou can shoot a lil better I think the Fever could be something. I’m scared of Azzi’s pro future, she’s been injured a lot. Lauren Betts gonna be a problem at the next level.

[@elmiratchagop3642]

could you do a video on the expansion draft

[@MrReymoclif714]

Stewart still going!

[@rickanderson4457]

Dude you didn’t do the #1 present day, CC is blowing them all away

[@trishlarkin2330]

She has only played this year - let her career unroll

[@ryantaylor4493]

I hope Nashville gets an expansion team!!!

[@clampsgiveup9235]

Great video. I remember you told me ranking the best players all time will be an Olympic break project wink wink

[@HunterCruse14]

🔜🔜

[@clampsgiveup9235]

@@HunterCruse14 THAAK YOU SO MUCH

[@vonte16]

this is a real example of the cream always rises to the top. remember the megan walker story and she clearly wasn’t ready after 3 years and went pro. think that extra year as a feature player at uconn would’ve changed her trajectory

[@WO2411]

The 2020 class might be the greatest women’s class all time 💯

[@Mike-h9o4k]

The amount of players from UConn that didn’t do well is concerning. This is why I think it’s better to go to a program that will make u the focus and develop u as opposed to part of the machine . Example being Caitlin Clark .

[@ericregan4310]

Chiney analysts career took off and she couldn't do both things and stay healthy.

[@chrislittle378]

I like the info, but IMO if most if not all these women made it to the professional level being number one is a good indicator of success.

[@Elitebasketball1]

What you think about Hannah Hidalgo

[@RustyLou18]

It ALL ended for UConn with Stewie. MW, CW, PB, AF and now SS will never match Stewie.

[@MrReymoclif714]

Just watched her play and she’s still pretty good.

[@trishlarkin2330]

Everyone can’t be a generational player…

[@jdagreat4595]

Haley jones has so much size for her position. She is wasting her talents certainly

[@MrReymoclif714]

They just stand there watching the shot? We are taught to follow our shot!

[@ak_hoops]

2020 will go down as the greatest recruiting class in hoops history. It has to. How can one class be that deep??? Watch how many of them become WNBA stars and Hall of Famers

[@HunterCruse14]

Frrrr agreed

[@Ettrny]

juju is a guard, no?

[@TheWhiteCloud2000]

Wing is another word for shooting guard cause they typically stay on the outside of the 3 point line on opposite sides which is why it’s called a “wing”

[@gabestackson4476]

Wing is not small forward?

[@ak_hoops]

This is mad dope can't lie! P.S. I think Haley is going to be great, especially since her IQ is so high. She's been Atlanta's best PG with Jordin Canada out

[@chicotata]

Where’s this Juju girl I keep hearing about? She’s was never mentioned

[@CheckBallUp]

College. Usc

[@Flamangatang]

A lot of politics involved in some of these kids being ranked #1. Also the class of 2023 might end up being better than 2020 and none of them will have a covid year. Juju, Mikayla Williams, Milaysia, Hannah Hildago, and Madison Booker have the potential to be game changers and/or allstars at the WNBA level

[@HunterCruse14]

Agreed!

[@jessical1001]

I hope azzi pans out

[@HunterCruse14]

I hope so as well. Awesome awesome prospect when she’s healthy

[@ManuelUlyesse2823]

Mya Moore wasn't?

[@Antbeast23]

There are less busts in women basketball compared to men’s basketball

[@AtomEdmonds]

I think if Megan Williams would have stayed for her senior season, UConn would have won another Chip. In hindsight it certainly would have been better for her to stay than to go to the W and be a bust.

[@jeremyschmidt182]

Need to research conferences. Big 10 is Michigan and Ohio State. That one girl went to Baylor in Big 12. Some of these girls never heard of. UConn spent a lot of money on recruiting before NIL. Should be changing to more teams and make college women's basketball better. Got pretty boring for 10-20 years. UConn tried to ruin basketball for all schools.

[@AtomEdmonds]

Could you imagine if injuries hadn’t slaughtered UConn and they could have had Paige and Azzi healthy! Especially with Sarah coming in…

[@commevache3756]

omg, with Williams you said 12 times she just has injuries, good lord this is painful. stopped watching as it was driving me nuts

[@skipbayless06]

there is a lot of glazing going on in this video

[@sharonfox2021]

Paige is 6 ft tall

[@mrbingo7564]

Also change schools he missed that part

[@dmac5472]

Question for Hunter and well anyone: In your opinion, are there fewer draft busts in the wnba than the nba? And if so why do you think thats the case?

[@HunterCruse14]

There's fewer lottery picks in the W, so I'd say yes, but generally, you have larger sample sizes (3-4 years, sometimes 5) on WNBA prospects, while most NBA top prospects are one-and-done, so that lengthier sample size leads to more accurate pre-draft valuations I feel. Hopefully that answered your question!

[@dmac5472]

@@HunterCruse14 excellent. It matches w an answer I saw in a similarly themed reddit post. Edit: off hand how would you say this compares to the pre 1 and done or HS to NBA years?

[@commevache3756]

you are so repetitive in what you say, and then you say it so boring, this was hard to get through it. for instance, you said like 10 times that walker was not a wnba player - borrrrinnggg and this could have been interesting.

[@ManFinest]

JuJu needs to leave college after next season

[@HmmmAreYouSureAboutThat]

She won’t be old enough.

[@CheckBallUp]

Financially, that’s not even the best decision for her. WNBA still isn’t paying nobody. Shes chilling, get her degree, head to the league a millionaire already

[@tonyleukering8832]

Age limit of 22

[@papacamino2286]

nobody cares!

[@RCSTILE]

If this is the BEST OF THE BEST it's no wonder the W sucks.

[@antoniotutt4894]

Who cares?

[@tellem_kaykay6227]

Theres a uconn alum on every WNBA TEAM