Best Defensive Player?

[OldAlum]

SNY teased the next Geno show with him talking about the best defensive player at UConn. Who did he choose? Guesses? Has he said this before?

 

[bags27]

If we set aside TLawlor, who is so quick to bring the eraser when Geno wants to draw up a defensive play, gotta be Kia or Gabby....

 

[MilfordHusky]

Probably this player:

 

[Sonny44]

Current, or all time?
All time I would pick Kelly or possibly Kiah.

 

[OldAlum]

I believe he was talking about best in UConn history.

 

[CocoHusky]

We have actually chopped this up (sorta) in a past BY thread.
UCONN's all time defensive/offensive team

UCONN All-Defensive
PG Moriah
SG Faris
W: Nykeesha
F Stokes
P Wolters

 

[Bigboote]

I remember a few years ago Geno called Kelly the best defender (maybe best defensive guard) since Jen Rizzotti.

 

[iamcbs]

Swin Cash and Maya Moore were both superior wing defenders to Nykesha....

 

[UcMiami]

Swin Cash and Maya Moore were both superior wing defenders to Nykesha....

How quickly they forget! Sales has 100 more steals than the player in second place! (94 actually over Moriah, but that is 27% more or the equivalent of an extra senior season for Moriah who was no slouch!)

 

[CocoHusky]

Swin Cash and Maya Moore were both superior wing defenders to Nykesha....

My memory, the UCONN record book, and Geno would vehemently disagree with you. Nykesha holds the UCONN record for steals by almost 100 steals.

 

[Phillyconn]

Swin Cash and Maya Moore were both superior wing defenders to Nykesha....

No way!

 

[BroadwayVa]

SNY teased the next Geno show with him talking about the best defensive player at UConn. Who did he choose? Guesses? Has he said this before?

Lawlor!! Second best Gabby.

 

[BroadwayVa]

If we set aside TLawlor, who is so quick to bring the eraser when Geno wants to draw up a defensive play, gotta be Kia or Gabby....

I see you and I believe SNY was talking current--had they been talking overall--they may have mentioned in Uconn History.. I picked TLaw and then Gabby--Kia if you count the bodies!!

 

[iamcbs]

My memory, the UCONN record book, and Geno would vehemently disagree with you. Nykesha holds the UCONN record for steals by almost 100 steals.

So steals are the only measure of great defense? Faris is considered a great defensive player, but she didn't get a ton of steals. As I said if I'm looking for a wing defender I'll take Maya or Swin any day... BTW, tOSU's steals leader is Kelsey Mitchell, I'm pretty sure no one considers her a great defender....

 

[CocoHusky]

So steals are the only measure of great defense? Faris is considered a great defensive player, but she didn't get a ton of steals. As I said if I'm looking for a wing defender I'll take Maya or Swin any day... BTW, tOSU's steals leader is Kelsey Mitchell, I'm pretty sure no one considers her a great defender....

tOSU is not UCONN! It's not just that Nykesha was the steals leader it is that she was the steals leader by such a significant margin in a program that actually knows how to play defense. tOSU does not play defense by your own admission & please don't make me pull up your quote on this subject.

 

[Phillyconn]

So steals are the only measure of great defense? Faris is considered a great defensive player, but she didn't get a ton of steals. As I said if I'm looking for a wing defender I'll take Maya or Swin any day... BTW, tOSU's steals leader is Kelsey Mitchell, I'm pretty sure no one considers her a great defender....

Never knew MM and SC were known for their defensive prowess. Did they get any consideration for any defensive honors. Never ever heard Geno mention either of their names in the same sentence with great defense. Whereas he has praised GW and KF openly about their defense.

 

[Bajan Best]

LOL, pound for pound Mariah Jefferson is the best one-on-one defender in UConn history to date.. Young lady shadows and denies her opponent to even catch / touch the ball like a boss.. with Kiah Stokes, Kelly Farris, Nakesha Sales, and even Gabby as honorable mention.. But don't be fooled, UCONN best defense is TEAM Defense.. So many others could be mentioned as well..

 

[iamcbs]

tOSU is not UCONN! It's not just that Nykesha was the steals leader it is that she was the steals leader by such a significant margin in a program that actually knows how to play defense. tOSU does not play defense by your own admission & please don't make me pull up your quote on this subject.

I used the quote of the person to make a point and you made the exact same point. Steals aren't an indicator of great defense, hence the example of Kelsey Mitchell, who isn't a great defensive player, yet leads her team in steals.

 

[Phillyconn]

LOL, pound for pound Mariah Jefferson is the best one-on-one defender in UConn history to date.. Young lady shadows and denies her opponent to even catch / touch the ball like a boss.. with Kiah Stokes, Kelly Farris, Nakesha Sales, and even Gabby as honorable mention.. But don't be fooled, UCONN best defense is TEAM Defense.. So many others could be mentioned as well..

Moriah could only guard guards. GW can guard 1-5, in most cases.

 

[Los24]

I am curious why so many folks are leaving off Stewie... Kiah was the best shot blocker but Stewie was much more. Include steals, defensive rebounds, covering interior and exterior.... anyone recall the 3 block play?

 

[hoophuskee]

Never knew MM and SC were known for their defensive prowess. Did they get any consideration for any defensive honors. Never ever heard Geno mention either of their names in the same sentence with great defense. Whereas he has praised GW and KF openly about their defense.

I thought Geno mentioned Maya as a great disrupter.

 

[Striper69]

Kiah Stokes was the best (UCONN) and is the best in the WNBA.

 

[Phillyconn]

Kiah Stokes was the best (UCONN) and is the best in the WNBA.

Could she guard the 1 or 2?