‘Right team, right system, right teammates:’ How UConn’s Crystal Dangerfield went from second-round draft pick to WNBA rookie of the year

[RoadWarrior]

‘Right team, right system, right teammates:’ How UConn’s Crystal Dangerfield went from second-round draft pick to WNBA rookie of the year

As the 2020 WNBA draft unfolded, Crystal Dangerfield sat in her home in Murfreesboro, Tenn., waiting… then waiting some more… waiting longer than she had ever really anticipated. Most p…

www.courant.com

As the 2020 WNBA draft unfolded, Crystal Dangerfield sat in her home in Murfreesboro, Tenn., waiting... then waiting some more... waiting longer than she had ever really anticipated.

 

[Kaizen]

So proud of our Crystal
- Crystal has the talent
- Coach Cheryl Reeve is willing to start Crystal
- Teammates, special Naphessa, are willing to work together with Crystal

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Very fine article. Very proud of Crystal. She sure is made of the right stuff.

 

[veryolddog]

My opinion, the UConn program that develops players is a lot more reliable and stronger than the elitists that think they can slot a person as a tentative draft pick. UConn draftees bring more to the table than any other college program. Case in point: Kiah Stokes.

 

[Bigboote]

"In her first weeks with the Lynx, Dangerfield’s “tremendous thirst for information” and passion stood out, Reeve said. The rookie requested one-on-one time outside of team meetings to speak with Reeve about what she should focus on prior to training camp. "

Crystal's thirst for knowledge is a huge difference-maker. It was really heartwarming to see her off to the sidelines during free throws, talking to Cheryl Reeve or Katie Smith, just as she always talked to Geno in college. I've thought for some time that her heady approach to the game would make her a good pro.

And to echo veryolddog, UConn's read-and-react style of play is perfect preparation for the pros. I've noticed that against many teams, the Lynx have switched on every screen. Just as UConn does. Reeve said she was impressed with Crystal's perfectly executed pick-and-roll in their second game surprised her. Well UConn isn't a "pick-and-roll team", but they execute it occasionally in the context of the read-and-react offense.

 

[EdSaid]

Projecting talent is the toughest thing in professional and college sports. There are first round draft picks in MLB that collect a big bonus and never make it to the major leagues. College coach's make many mistakes with recruits. You never really know the student athlete until they are on campus and in the mix. Sometimes a kid just doesn't work out for any number of reasons. Geno and CD have become very good at selecting good fits, and even still some don't stay. Think about your job evaluation, and if you were being evaluated on the academic and athletic performance of 18-22 year olds. The number of UConn women that graduate and play in the WNBA and do other great things is hard to match. The quality of the grads can be compared to the banners.