Polarbear said:

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Welcome Ella Brow!

Definite international feel with next year's roster, with Goryanova, Brow, Deng, and Pemberton. I don't dislike it, but it is interesting. Curious if it's intentional because that's where coaches see the greatest value in current market for players, or if something about recruiting relationships in TX and the USA are frustrating us, and pushing us to find foreign born players.

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Is there a difference with international players as to their ability to earn NIL money and maintain a "student" Visa?

Don't know definitively on this, but if so could be a "hack" enabling us to better compete against more well funded programs.

What were your thoughts the times you saw her play?

Scotty, do you have any info on her season-ending injury last season, is she close to full recovery? She had torn ACL 2 years ago, then this injury last season. She hasn't played much except freshman year. I think she will be working on her Masters Degree at Baylor. I'm sure she is anxious to get going and start playing again. Hope she can stay healthy this season. She looks good on film. She is from Australia but played in New Zealand.

No clue on the injury front from last year but the article says Ella will gain valuable experience playing for the New Zealand national team this summer as they play a series against Australia.

I just did more research, The New Zealand Tall Ferns are the National Team. They have a website, but it doesn't list a 2025 Team Roster, but does have a 2023 Team. They have an all new coaching staff, hopefully we can follow .Ella's play in the coming months. Remember the seasons are reversed in the South Pacific.

BREAKING: Houston transfer Gigi Cooke has committed to West Virginia, sources told @On3sports.

The 5-8 sophomore averaged 12.4 ppg this season.

TRACKER: https://t.co/StsxDxjlYl pic.twitter.com/UHnf7Oa7Yk

— Talia Goodman (@TaliaGoodmanWBB) April 29, 2025

Bear3 said:

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ESPN just released their top 10 Wbb portal class winners and Baylor is #8 !

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Thanks for posting.The Big 12 also scored the 5th and 7th rankings with TCU and OSU respectively.The BU piece is particularly complimentary of the Auburn transfers.

https://instagr.am/p/DJNDsR3pf4S

Moving on pic.twitter.com/BFnYOflnBj

— NdjakalengaM (@ndjakalenga) May 6, 2025

Does anyone know if we are still in the running to get NDjaklelenga? She is following several of our players on Instagram but that may mean nothing.

I remember seeing somewhere that she had narrowed it and I don't think we were on there but can't remember.

NDjaklelenga has committed to Vandy !

Roster update from Coach Ralph pic.twitter.com/po3xOfiMrE

— Vanderbilt WBB (@VandyWBB) June 30, 2025

Well Pierre is a big name to be entering late. Not sure if there would be interest. It's like Aliyah Matharu entering transfer portal late last year.

Will she have to sit at least half a year?
This has the feel of being dismissed from the team but who knows. A lot of people thought she would leave for sure after last year. I would for sure want us to inquire to gather more info. I think she has two years left. If she has to sit - a redshirt year might really be good for her. Although I think she will have alot of interest! She has a high motor and has been very successful in the SEC. Pretty confident it wasn't to late high school or so that she focused completely on basketball, as she was a great soccer player as well (I think). There may be more room for growth.

Jpbu152001 said:

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Will she have to sit at least half a year?
This has the feel of being dismissed from the team but who knows. A lot of people thought she would leave for sure after last year. I would for sure want us to inquire to gather more info. I think she has two years left. If she has to sit - a redshirt year might really be good for her. Although I think she will have alot of interest! She has a high motor and has been very successful in the SEC. Pretty confident it wasn't to late high school or so that she focused completely on basketball, as she was a great soccer player as well (I think). There may be more room for growth.

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I kind of get that dismissed feeling as well. I heard rumors she was going to Portal.
We will never know but she will garner a LOT OF INTEREST ...... 24/25 All American at 6'2", Runs the floor well (probably her soccer background before she hit her growth spurt), REBOUNDS (Almost 10 per Game) and 50.0% from the floor, so-so from free throw line, gets a lot of steals for a big (3 PG) surprisingly very few blocks from someone who can ONE HAND DUNK !! She has only played the game for 5 years !!!! 2 years eligibility left !!

I wonder if Jordan Oliver might have some locker room information - her and Caitlin are still pretty tight.

Not sure on the rule but could be a Aliyah Matharu situation. - May not be a bad idea for her to redshirt and work on her 3 ball game....if she adds that she would garner a lot of interest from the W.

I have no idea where Nicki would be on this - but I agree it would be worth a phone call

blueeyedbear said:

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Jpbu152001 said:

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Will she have to sit at least half a year?
This has the feel of being dismissed from the team but who knows. A lot of people thought she would leave for sure after last year. I would for sure want us to inquire to gather more info. I think she has two years left. If she has to sit - a redshirt year might really be good for her. Although I think she will have alot of interest! She has a high motor and has been very successful in the SEC. Pretty confident it wasn't to late high school or so that she focused completely on basketball, as she was a great soccer player as well (I think). There may be more room for growth.

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I kind of get that dismissed feeling as well. I heard rumors she was going to Portal.
We will never know but she will garner a LOT OF INTEREST ...... 24/25 All American at 6'2", Runs the floor well (probably her soccer background before she hit her growth spurt), REBOUNDS (Almost 10 per Game) and 50.0% from the floor, so-so from free throw line, gets a lot of steals for a big (3 PG) surprisingly very few blocks from someone who can ONE HAND DUNK !! She has only played the game for 5 years !!!! 2 years eligibility left !!

I wonder if Jordan Oliver might have some locker room information - her and Caitlin are still pretty tight.
Why was she dismissed?Has anyone seen an explanation?
Not sure on the rule but could be a Aliyah Matharu situation. - May not be a bad idea for her to redshirt and work on her 3 ball game....if she adds that she would garner a lot of interest from the W.

I have no idea where Nicki would be on this - but I agree it would be worth a phone call

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Why was Pierre dismissed?

Pierre will have to sit out one year, she did not graduate yet. It has to be bad to be dismissed from team. She was a starter.

https://www.sbnation.com/2025/7/1/24459512/khamil-pierre-vanderbilt-transfer-sec-womens-basketball-nil-ncaa

Sources SB Nation spoke with on Monday that are familiar with Pierre's situation said there was a disagreement between her camp and the program regarding compensation. That Vanderbilt's announcement came on June 30 a day before the House Settlement goes into effect may not be a coincidence.

Not sure how much money we have left...

12au said:

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https://www.sbnation.com/2025/7/1/24459512/khamil-pierre-vanderbilt-transfer-sec-womens-basketball-nil-ncaa

Sources SB Nation spoke with on Monday that are familiar with Pierre's situation said there was a disagreement between her camp and the program regarding compensation. That Vanderbilt's announcement came on June 30 a day before the House Settlement goes into effect may not be a coincidence.

Not sure how much money we have left...

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That is what I am hearing from Vandy insiders not just sports reporters.
What really concerns me is when I hear words like "THE PIERRE CAMP" from Vandy people.
Sounds awful similar to what the men's basketball program went through a while ago.
She had a NIL deal from Vandy NIL folks - Then the House Settlement ... and what the $$$ suddenly were not enough ??
I wonder if she and her "camp" signed a contract with Vanderbilt NIL folks like Rob Wright had with BU and then reneged ?

Last thing BU WBB needs is drama right now - team chemistry is very high right now.
There is no doubt Pierre is a major talent !!!... but is she worth the baggage ?? Way above my pay grade to answer.
I think I would pass on her.

Luckily, Nicki is very big on team chemistry and gets feedback from team prior to adding a new player. If there is any indication Khamil would disrupt the chemistry I am sure it would be hard no from Nicki.

Bear3 said:

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Luckily, Nicki is very big on team chemistry and gets feedback from team prior to adding a new player. If there is any indication Khamil would disrupt the chemistry I am sure it would be hard no from Nicki.

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Yes totally agree - It's going to be interesting where she ends up and HOW ??
There is a way she could be immediately eligible, but it would take some under the table doings to get it done.

Nicki Collen has followed Pierre on Instagram.

ScottyB_The_Baylor_King said:

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Nicki Collen has followed Pierre on Instagram.

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Interesting !! Well like I said in an earlier posting - Might be worth a phone call - won't cost anything but some time. Nicki has proven she can work with multiple personalities in the W.

It may well be the case where the problem is with the "family/handlers" and not the athlete.
I have found a couple of her interviews, and I have to admit she is personable, and she talks about teammates and how she likes passing as much as scoring. I liked where she said scoring is great, but her goal is 10 rebounds per game - every game.
She talks a lot about family and how that was important too her choosing Vandy.......Hmmmmm
Interesting - she STARTED her basketball career her Freshman year in High School and she decided to tryout for the team and they put her on the Varsity - she said she never played in games - just a practice team player.
Notable: she said she wants to get better and is willing to work as hard as it takes to get better.

I was shocked to see where she was ranked 63 coming out of High School.

It's going to be interesting to follow the programs that recruit her.

There are a number of big-name schools, coaches, and players from different schools who have been following Pierre and vice versa. Don't really know the difference following one school vs another school on IG. She will have a number of big name schools who will pursue her and offer NILs. Apparently she had disagreement with Vandy about compensation to keep her from going to the transfer portal, then was dismissed. Haven't heard exactly what caused the dismissal. Hope Baylor has attractive NIL to offer her, sounds like it's important to her. She is definitely a star post player.

She is worth a look from Baylor. Nicki definitely has proven she can successfully coach all personality types.

Article about Pierre pointing out some loopholes to allow her to play.

https://www.sbnation.com/2025/7/1/24459512/khamil-pierre-vanderbilt-transfer-sec-womens-basketball-nil-ncaa

Pierre headed to nc state