Saniya Chong – Blue Collar Effort, Gold Star Results

by DavidinNaples

Five minutes into Tuesday’s game against Memphis, Bria Hartley picked up her 2nd foul. Geno Auriemma was faced with a decision and did something he has done every game this year. He put in freshman Saniya Chong. She ended up playing 23 minutes against Memphis and turned in her usual steady, workman-like effort. Saniya took only 2 shots, both from 3 pt, and made one. However, she also contributed 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. Out of character, Saniya picked up 2 fouls and made 2 turnovers. The performance was typical of Chong, not “spectacular”, but for a freshman, everything UConn has asked of her, and more..!! Consider the following:

1. Saniya is one of only five UConn players to stay healthy and play in all 20 games so far this season.
2. Chong has played 379 minutes for an average of 19 minutes per game. Only Stewie, Hartley, Dolson and MoJeff have more time on the court this year.
3. Saniya has made 20 three point baskets, the same as Stewie. She has a better 3 pt accuracy than Hartley and MoJeff.
4. In 20 games, Chong has only 19 personal fouls, but has managed 16 steals.
5. Saniya’s 32 assists are twice her total of 15 turnovers. She turns the ball over only every 25.3 minutes.
6. She has 41 rebounds and 6 blocked shots, 4th best on the team.
7. Despite coming in off the bench cold, Chong is shooting 44% from the field and 81% from the free throw line. Her 117 pts are just 4 shy of Caroline Doty’s total from last year. Her 5.9 pts/game is better than Jefferson’s 4.7 her freshman year.

In a strange season that started w/ only 9 scholarship players, featured two walk-ons, multiple injuries to key players and some early games w/ foul trouble, Saniya Chong has given UConn a little of everything they’ve needed; scoring, assists, rebounds, blocks and steals, but none of what Geno doesn’t want, freshman mistakes and turnovers. Go Saniya..!!

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