2014 Gabby Williams commits...[ merged thread]

[WNBARookFan]

A 5'11" athletic guard who can handle the ball, dish to teammates, drive the lane and shoot from outside? Yeah...I think she'll be a good one.

 

[WNBARookFan]

I think that Geno RREEEaallyy likes this girl because he wouldn't just allow any recruit to request for a redshirt year, regardless if its fro the olympics or not.. She must really be a "Maya Moore" type of special... just my thoughts...

Bret McCormick of ASGR was asked about her on twitter, his response:

Tweets

1. Bret McCormick ‏@ASGR1995
   
   18m​
   @cterrier100 this big get. She can play positions 1-4. She should impact like Maya Moore or Diana Tarausi.

 

[Icebear]

Geno with a new 5 year contract ad a brand new basketball facility coming on line. I like our recruiting chances in any match ups in the next few years.

 

[UConnChapette]

So excited for this commit! When I first heard her name, I had a sense she would be in UConn blue and white. Can't explain why. And when she extended her stay to see the Vandy game, I was pretty confident she would commit.

I really like what I see in the highlight video. Gabby appears to be fearless, doesn't shy away from contact, takes it to the basket, and has great passing skills. What is not to love?

But...as I have learned over the years...I will keep my excitement contained until she steps on the court for her first practice in 2014. Lots of time between now and then.

 

[Tonyc]

Sounds like we got a gem. Shes an athlete with a winning attitude. Now things are shaping up. Ive heard nothing but raves about Ekmark. Pure shooter good defender.

 

[WNBARookFan]

An article from Jim Fuller on the commitment with some additional quotes from Gabby:

"I knew right away that UConn was the place. I know my family was kind of sad that it was so far away but they are going to support me anyways. I know they want to see all my games but making choices like this, you have to be selfish. I think at Connecticut I can reach my potential, they are going to make me the best I can be."

Additionally, an article from Chris Hansen at ProspectsNation:

Williams may be the best equipped to replace the versatility of current senior Kelly Faris, though the two are completely different athletes. Williams has the strength and quickness to defend four positions on the court, and the ball skill to play any perimeter position offensively with ease. And the prospect of getting to use all those playmaking skills is perhaps the most exciting part of this decision if you are a UConn fan.

 

[DaddyChoc]

great footage... she's a player

 

[Kevin G]

WOOHOO!!!! Welcome to UCONN Nation Gabby!

 

[Icebear]

Ekmark, Edwards and Williams; I like the way this class is shaping up.

 

[bschwartz]

I seem to recall that not too long ago there were people freaking out on here about the '14 class or lack of one in the face of pickups by TN, UNC and others. I guess a little patience is in order. In Geno we trust.

 

[UCONNfan1]

I seem to recall that not too long ago there were people freaking out on here about the '14 class or lack of one in the face of pickups by TN, UNC and others. I guess a little patience is in order. In Geno we trust.

I don't know about "freaking out", but there were a number of people concerned at the swings and misses the staff was experiencing. And they missed out on a lot of top 10 kids they really went after. Of course, I agree we will get more than our fair share given our coaching staff is the best in the business and we are probably the only team in WCBB who has been a legit threat to make the final 4 every year since our NC run in 1995 (I might be exaggerating a bit, but not by much).

 

[easttexastrash]

Did she tear her ACL? An ACL tear and a redshirt year to prepare for the Olympics could mean limited activity in 2014 and no play in 2015?

 

[BRS24]

Interesting pics in one of the articles ... looks like tatoo on back of shoulder? Does that mean she wll be wearing a shirt under her uni, which none of the players do?

 

[ScarlettB]

Congratulations on getting Gabby. Personally, I'm not sure she made the best choice if she wants to compete in the Olympics as UConn track and field isn't anything special. She might have been better off at TA&M or Baylor. Hopefully it will work out well for all parties involved. You have a great class shaping up for 2014.

 

[WNBARookFan]

Did she tear her ACL? An ACL tear and a redshirt year to prepare for the Olympics could mean limited activity in 2014 and no play in 2015?

She did tear her ACL and is scheduled to return to the basketball court fully this December. She's choosing to do the long recovery rather than the 6 month rehab due to partial damage to her meniscus.

It's been indicated in a couple of the articles that have come out that she's still deciding about whether or not to pursue the high jump in college, so she may not red-shirt. That's yet to be decided.

 

[WNBARookFan]

Congratulations on getting Gabby. Personally, I'm not sure she made the best choice if she wants to compete in the Olympics as UConn track and field isn't anything special. She might have been better off at TA&M or Baylor. Hopefully it will work out well for all parties involved. You have a great class shaping up for 2014.

The articles linked to have indicated she may not pursue track in college, but that if she chooses to do so, she feels comfortable doing so at UConn. Her top two contenders were Arizona State and Stanford after UConn.

 

[easttexastrash]

She did tear her ACL and is scheduled to return to the basketball court fully this December. She's choosing to do the long recovery rather than the 6 month rehab due to partial damage to her meniscus.

It's been indicated in a couple of the articles that have come out that she's still deciding about whether or not to pursue the high jump in college, so she may not red-shirt. That's yet to be decided.

Thanks for the info. You've done your homework.

Interesting that she would consider giving up her Okympic dream but I can only imagine how long it would take for a high jumper to trust a surgically repaired knee.

 

[UCONNfan1]

Congratulations on getting Gabby. Personally, I'm not sure she made the best choice if she wants to compete in the Olympics as UConn track and field isn't anything special. She might have been better off at TA&M or Baylor. Hopefully it will work out well for all parties involved. You have a great class shaping up for 2014.

Don't disagree on the track and field portion, but if she has any interest in multiple NC's, there's literally no other school in the nation who has had a real legit shot the past umpteen years, and also will for the foreseeable future.

Next year it will be all UCONN, with probably Duke and ND the closest two teams behind them. Stanford, aTm, Tennessee and probably a few others the next tier down. Hard to say after that but UCONN's been in the final 4 the past 5 years, this year should make 6, and does anyone doubt they will get there the next 3 years? They could be looking at 10 consecutive final 4's. Unprecedented.

My point is that Baylor is out of the top 10 next year and I'm betting aTm is the following year when the lose Bone and Gilbert, but the point is neither come close to sniffing a final 4 never mind vying for a NC.

 

[ScarlettB]

The articles linked to have indicated she may not pursue track in college, but that if she chooses to do so, she feels comfortable doing so at UConn. Her top two contenders were Arizona State and Stanford after UConn.

Both Az State and Stanford have better women's track programs than UConn. Even if she chooses not to be on the track team, she may choose to train individually. Usually when that happens, it is more advantageous for the athlete to train with members of the track team (plus their private coach , if applicable). IMO UConn just doesn't have the talent in track to help push her if she decides to go that route. She may come to regret that (or not). Time will tell. I truly hope it works out great for all parties involved.

 

[ScarlettB]

Don't disagree on the track and field portion, but if she has any interest in multiple NC's, there's literally no other school in the nation who has had a real legit shot the past umpteen years, and also will for the foreseeable future.

Next year it will be all UCONN, with probably Duke and ND the closest two teams behind them. Stanford, aTm, Tennessee and probably a few others the next tier down. Hard to say after that but UCONN's been in the final 4 the past 5 years, this year should make 6, and does anyone doubt they will get there the next 3 years? They could be looking at 10 consecutive final 4's. Unprecedented.

I don't dispute that if you want the best chance of winning multiple basketball NC's UConn would be my first choice, but if I wanted the best chance of pursuing my Olympic dream plus a shot at winning a NC, I would think I had a decent chance at doing both at Stanford or Baylor. Stanford would also give me great academics. I also think Kim M will keep Baylor in the hunt for NC's after BG graduates.

 

[HGN]

Great news!! I am surprised, but very happy for Gabby and for the Huskies. Looks like Geno is putting together a Championship calibre backcourt for 2014--2018....Now all we need to make sure we do is get a couple of outstanding BIGS to go along with that outstanding backcourt.

 

[HGN]

Both Az State and Stanford have better women's track programs than UConn. Even if she chooses not to be on the track team, she may choose to train individually. Usually when that happens, it is more advantageous for the athlete to train with members of the track team (plus their private coach , if applicable). IMO UConn just doesn't have the talent in track to help push her if she decides to go that route. She may come to regret that (or not). Time will tell. I truly hope it works out great for all parties involved.

I do not believe that there will be any regrets. The decision was a 'basketball' decision. Not a total track decision. She is interested in track for Olympic aspirations. She also wants to win basketball Championships...........And there is no doubt that UCONN is definitely the place for that.

 

[UConnChapette]

UConn Track and Field has had some success within the old conference, and UConn grad Phylicia George finished 6th in the 100m hurdles in the London Olympics, representing Canada. Natasha McLaren placed third in the NCAA indoor track and field championships in the high jump. Trisha-Ann Hawthorne earlier this year recorded the fastest time in the world this year in the 200m that was .01 seconds off the 2012 Olympic A qualifying standard.

While the UConn track and field team is not one of the elite programs in the NCAAs, they are not completely lacking in quality athletes.

It seems clear that basketball is equally important to Gabby, if not more so. And if Geno is willing to give her the redshirt year for her to try to make her Olympic dream come true, it's all good. Track and field athletes tend to peak in their mid to late 20s. She will have plenty of time to win national championships in college basketball and make her Olympic dream come true.

 

[UConnChapette]

Both Az State and Stanford have better women's track programs than UConn. Even if she chooses not to be on the track team, she may choose to train individually. Usually when that happens, it is more advantageous for the athlete to train with members of the track team (plus their private coach , if applicable). IMO UConn just doesn't have the talent in track to help push her if she decides to go that route. She may come to regret that (or not). Time will tell. I truly hope it works out great for all parties involved.

The age of the 2012 London Olympics gold-medalist high jumper, Anna Chicherova, was 30. Gabby will be 22-23 when she graduates UConn. PLENTY of time to pursue her Olympic dreams after winning several national championships at UConn. With track and field, the athletes tend to get better with age.

 

[doggydaddy]

Congratulations on getting Gabby. Personally, I'm not sure she made the best choice if she wants to compete in the Olympics as UConn track and field isn't anything special. She might have been better off at TA&M or Baylor. Hopefully it will work out well for all parties involved. You have a great class shaping up for 2014.

Uconn has a good track and field team.