UConn is no longer recruiting Xylina McDaniel, a 6-foot-1 forward from Blythewood, S.C., her AAU coach Roger Wiley confirmed today. She will now decide between North Carolina and South Carolina and will again visit North Carolina Sunday.
“From what I understand they talked to her high school coach and talked to her mom,’’ Wiley said. “Her dad is who I get the majority of my information from right now and basically he said he called up UConn and they said we decided to make it easy for Xylina since she was struggling with her decision and withdrew themselves from consideration.
“I think when they say that she’s struggling with making her decision … She’s a kid that doesn’t like to let people down. She’s just a very good kid. Recently, she said she was tired of the recruiting process and wanted to go ahead and make her decision. And then when I asked, `What’s your decision?’ She said, `I don’t know.’ So that will give you an idea. I kind of get the feeling that she wants people to back out and not have to make that decision. And I get feeling that’s exactly what UConn did.’’
McDaniel was UConn’s final 2012 target. The Huskies have already received oral commitments from Breanna Stewart, a 6-4 post player from North Syracuse, N.Y. who is recognized as the top player in the class; Moriah Jefferson, a 5-7 guard from Glenn Heights, Texas who is listed No. 2 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz; and Morgan Tuck, a 6-2 forward from Bolingbrook, Ill. who is listed at No. 5.
The NCAA early signing period is Nov. 9-16.
Rich
I think it’s a good call by Geno. Wouldn’t want another Samarie Walker or Delle Donne situation if you can avoid it. Better to get someone without as much raw talent, but who fits into the system better and is going to be happy to be here.
Sounds as though Geno thought X’s heart just wasn’t in UConn, that if she arrived, she’d be sort of thinking about her other choices, and he may have thought that, good as she is, not having another wing would make coming to UConn even more desirable to the ’13 class of Mavunga, DeShields, and Reimer. Could be shrewd move…
A little disappointed that UConn ceased recruiting Xylina.She appears to be a real quality player.It seems odd that they would bow out just to ease her decision making. Great recruiting jobs already accomplished for 2011; 2012, but I feel you can never have enough good talent. ND looks very strong this yr.and Rutgers has a very good group coming in also.Should be a great BB season.