4 Women Huskies Make Naismith Watch List

[RockyMTblue2]

"Four Huskies — freshman Paige Bueckers, juniors Christyn Williams and Olivia Nelson-Ododa and redshirt junior Evina Westbrook — were named to the 50-player Naismith Trophy preseason watch list, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Tuesday. The award is given annually to the best player in the nation. "

Four UConn women’s players make Naismith Trophy preseason watch list

As preseason accolades come in ahead of the start of the 2020-21 college basketball season next week, the UConn women remain well represented. Four Huskies — freshman Paige Bueckers, juniors …

www.courant.com

 

[EricLA]

Congrats to all!! I hope Anna gets some love as the season progresses. If she picks up where she left off last season, and has a sophohmore leap, she will be talked about as one of the best players on the team. And THAT'S saying something.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Talk about expectations. Paige hasn't played a minute of college ball and she is on a preseason watch list for player of the year.

 

[psconn]

How does this work? Can an emerging talent be added to the list as the season progresses, or are they locked in to give the award to one of these 50?

Either way, it's nice to be mentioned, but it is really meaningless. I really doubt there's 50 players in the country better than Anna, AND I believe that by the halfway point of the season that will be obvious.

 

[oldude]

Talk about expectations. Paige hasn't played a minute of college ball and she is on a preseason watch list for player of the year.

As Geno will no doubt remind Paige today at practice, “She’s famous for being famous.”

 

[maccca3232]

For those interested there were 5 players named to the Naismith Watch List which didn't appear in any of the Basketball Hall of Fame (BHoF) positional Watch Lists (Source: PG, SG, SF, PF, C).

• Aleah Goodman (Oregon St.)
• Dorka Juhasz (Ohio St.)
• Lasha Petree (Bradley)
• Lexi Held (DePaul)
• Lexi Hull (Stanford)

Which means there were 55 players on BHoF not on Naismith (had to be at least 50 as twice as many players listed) including Aubrey Griffin.

 

[EricLA]

As Geno will no doubt remind Paige today at practice, “She’s famous for being famous.”

Geno never ceases to amaze and impress me - "Paige Khardashian" - will go down in history as one of the all time great nicknames.

 

[Ozimoto]

I have no doubt that Paige will be an excellent player, but everyone has put such high expectations on her that it has to be a burden. We'll see how she handles it very soon if all goes well.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

All very nice. But unfortunately doesn't mean squat. Can't put much stock in an award nomination given out before the ball is thrown up to begin even the first game.

but nice all the same.

 

[DEpup]

I can't stand putting freshman on these lists but part of me thinks if Paige plays this year to the level I think she can she would be one of the top 50 players...I think we may immediately go to whether a player is in contention but top 50 is totally doable for her.

Again I am perturbed with no AMak on the list. She could end up being the biggest sleeper in the NCAAW this year. If she starts off at the 3 and passing where she left off, add a more in shape body, and whatever improvements she makes in the sophomore leap, that will be one dangerous player!

 

[chrissaran]

Breanna had all kinds of expectations placed on her after she said her goal was to win four championships. Expectations don't get any higher than that.

 

[JellyBean]

Pretty awesome!! 4 on the Naismith watch list? Huge honor. Props, ladies!!

 

[nwhoopfan]

For those interested there were 5 players named to the Naismith Watch List which didn't appear in any of the Basketball Hall of Fame (BHoF) positional Watch Lists (Source: PG, SG, SF, PF, C).

• Aleah Goodman (Oregon St.)
• Dorka Juhasz (Ohio St.)
• Lasha Petree (Bradley)
• Lexi Held (DePaul)
• Lexi Hull (Stanford)

Which means there were 55 players on BHoF not on Naismith (had to be at least 50 as twice as many players listed) including Aubrey Griffin.

I mentioned it elsewhere, but it's astounding to me that Hull didn't make any of the positional watch lists. Huge miss by somebody.

 

[FridaFriend]

And Aubrey Griffin is on the Cheryl Miller Award watch list.

 

[meyers7]

I have no doubt that Paige will be an excellent player, but everyone has put such high expectations on her that it has to be a burden. We'll see how she handles it very soon if all goes well.

Comes with the territory. The legends (DT, Moore, Stewart) can handle the expectations/burden. In fact, they kind of revel in it. We'll see if she falls into that category.

 

[maccca3232]

I mentioned it elsewhere, but it's astounding to me that Hull didn't make any of the positional watch lists. Huge miss by somebody.

Last season Dana Evans wasn't named in the Positional Watch Lists and she ended being named an AA.

Last season of the 15 players named AA, 3 players (20%) weren't on either the Naismith or Wade Preseason Watch List (Dana Evans, Kathleen Doyle and Aliyah Boston). Also Elissa Cunane was only named on Naismith but not on Wade.

 

[CL82]

I'm not sure what all the hype is about the Naismith watch.

It looks like a promotional Citizen watch to me.

 

[DEpup]

Last season Dana Evans wasn't named in the Positional Watch Lists and she ended being named an AA.

Last season of the 15 players named AA, 3 players (20%) weren't on either the Naismith or Wade Preseason Watch List (Dana Evans, Kathleen Doyle and Aliyah Boston). Also Elissa Cunane was only named on Naismith but not on Wade.

View attachment 61447

Hmm. And they all missed out on the eventual WNBA rookie of the year....

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Comes with the territory. The legends (DT, Moore, Stewart) can handle the expectations/burden. In fact, they kind of revel in it. We'll see if she falls into that category.

I'm betting that Paige of the swaggy game has it covered.

 

[Shorty Dee]

Nice. I can't wait for the season to start. I am still in count down mode .