Texas women's basketball made it to the Final Four for the first time since 2003 this past season. Vic Schaefer and his coaching staff have done a good job of recruiting over the summer to ensure they can return to the Final Four next season.
One of those players he's recruited to play for him next year is high school guard Aaliyah Crump. She is one of the most talented guards out of Minnesota since Paige Bueckers. Here's more on that talented freshman joining the Longhorns this fall.
There's a reason why Schaefer went after her on the recruiting trail. She has a lot of the same basketball traits as Bueckers. Her ability to read the floor, accurate shooting, and being a 3-point shooter are just some traits she brings to Austin. When the Longhorns put out the press release announcing her commitment to the Longhorns, he could not stop going off on all the things she would bring to the program.
"She is highly motivated, and her skill set is off the charts. Her court vision is elite and rare. Aaliyah plays very unselfish basketball, yet at the same time, she is a high-level scorer. She can stretch the floor well beyond the 3-point line and can elevate over a defender to create her own shot whenever she wants to."Texas head coach Vic Schaefer
Crump averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 steals, and 3.3 assists during her high school career in Minnesota. She was also named the 2024 MaxPreps Minnesota Basketball Player of the Year. She was also a two-time All-State Honorary and team captain. I can see why Schaefer was interested in recruiting her because of her long list of awards and accomplishments. You don't find players like Crump every day coming out of high school.
I don't know how Schaefer will use her next season with some of the transfers and returning players. We will see how much playing time she gets off the bat when the team takes the court this fall. With how the three incoming freshmen played last season, I'm sure Schaefer will put Crump in the deep end of the pool right away during non-conference play.
I don't see Schaefer keeping a player like Crump on the bench for too long. Like I said before, you don't find players like Crump that often coming out of high school.
In conclusion, Crump will fit well into Schaefer's program at Texas. How many minutes Crump will get in her first season remains to be seen. I think the intensity that she brings when she steps onto the court will help the Longhorns get back to the Final Four next season.
However, anything can happen in March Madness. All I know is that when I watch Crump's highlight reel, you can definitely see flashes of Paige Bueckers in her overall game.