As a player ranked that high coming right out of HS you only love it if the team has a winning track record. These kids all want to go to the Dance and be playing when it matters most.
Gotta win to get the players. There's a reason Ponds is the only player ranked in the top 50 to come here in 4 seasons under Mullin. J'Raan Brooks was the 2nd highest rated player right out of HS to commit to Mullin and he decommitted quicker than a NY minute when he saw the constant losing.
Winning cures all and next Saturday the real games begin. If they make the Dance then I expect Mullin to land one or two top 50-75 HS kids.
My post was only focused on the style of play and the opportunity to showcase one's abilities and be a star.
Of course winning is important to many recruits. A history of developing NBA players as well. Ideally we'll put it all together, but this is the first year any of that is even possible. This is a very "what have you done for me lately" business and hopefully the staff fully capitalizes on the star that Ponds has become.
I look at it from point of view of a high school kid watching Ponds live at the Garden. There is very little imagination needed for that kid to picture himself doing the samething. Ponds is a wizard, he's flashy, he's amazing, and he is given every possible opportunity to showcase his entire game.
I think you are right and that winning will open the door to some high level recruits. I'm hoping the staff can directly use Ponds to recruit his replacement.