A shout out to Brianna Banks

[HuskyNan]

She's come a long way since early in the season when she was struggling to learn the offense. Last night she had a couple of terrific defensive plays and one rebound that was eye-popping. The kid must have springs in her legs. Her line from last night was respectable - she's coming along nicely in her development at the point.

4 points (2-3, no forced shots), 2 reb, 3 assists, 1 turnover against the press, 1 steal

Modest stats but I saw a player under control playing with intensity. Good for Brianna!

 

[Wonkster]

.
I like her attitude since the break last month. She's a willing learner with great natural gifts, and that's a potent combination.

 

[HuskyNan]

Brianna article from the JI, 1/26/12

 

[VAMike23]

I confess to following BBanks around with my eyes most of the time she is on the court - she has this combo of stealth and explosiveness that really is amazing. I'm always watching for her to pounce or shoot up in the air out of nowhere.

Granted she is still on a steep learning curve, but to me she is a fundamentally 'different' type of talent and raw athletic skill set than anyone I've seen play for the Huskies (I did not see Swanier so I can't compare). And I am also thankful that it was Bria, not BBanks, that was thrown to the wolves as a frosh last year. Banks is benefitting from having less pressure put on her game.

 

[rington]

Hope her improvement continues; she will be needed.

 

[alexrgct]

She made her first three point shot against DePaul.

Now if she can crack her first smile on the court, we'll really be in business.

 

[HuskyNan]

Granted she is still on a steep learning curve, but to me she is a fundamentally 'different' type of talent and raw athletic skill set than anyone I've seen play for the Huskies (I did not see Swanier so I can't compare). And I am also thankful that it was Bria, not BBanks, that was thrown to the wolves as a frosh last year. Banks is benefitting from having less pressure put on her game.

If we're comparing BB to former Huskies, I would say she's more Ashley Battle than Ketia Swanier, although obviously she's not exactly like either.

 

[vtcwbuff]

If we're comparing BB to former Huskies, I would say she's more Ashley Battle than Ketia Swanier, although obviously she's not exactly like either.

I'm thinking Kenitra Johnson maybe?

 

[Olde Coach]

She's come a long way since early in the season when she was struggling to learn the offense. Last night she had a couple of terrific defensive plays and one rebound that was eye-popping. The kid must have springs in her legs. Her line from last night was respectable - she's coming along nicely in her development at the point.

4 points (2-3, no forced shots), 2 reb, 3 assists, 1 turnover against the press, 1 steal

Modest stats but I saw a player under control playing with intensity. Good for Brianna!

BB set a UConn and NCAA record last night for "longest ever belly slide on the court."

I don't remember what the time on the clock was; but there was a loose ball on the floor near mid-court, and 3 or 4 players contending to "capture" it. Bria started from near the free throw line, took three or four very quick steps, and launched herself (at top speed) into a belly slide that took her all the way to the ball -- which she did capture. It was, by a very large margin, the longest dive on the floor I have ever seen.

I don't know if Geno saw this live, but I'm sure he will catch it during the film review; and, either way, it will put a huge smile on his face.

I'll replay the game tonight and report the time on the clock to help y'all find it.
It may be the best play of the year.

 

[EricLA]

i'm thinking maybe Rita Williams? i think BB is more slight than the other's mentioned, but i'm not sure...

Here's a picture of Kennitra. hard to tell i guess...

 

[VAMike23]

I'll replay the game tonight and report the time on the clock to help y'all find it.
It may be the best play of the year.

I don't know if it's the best play of the year but my favorite play from last night's game was by Tiff - I think she got the ball stolen at our end, but regardless she went on a mad dash down the floor to pick the SU girl's pocket in turn, and get the ball back for us. It was just such an all-out effort play, and so "Tiff" in the way she went about it. I just wanted to take my hat off to the kid. That play was like a microcosm of what she means to the program. I have to go back tonight and find it on Hoop Streams.

P.S. I think we were up 30 or so when she made the play. How many other programs have players willing to make that play when they're up 30?

 

[EricLA]

and Ashley Battle. this won't let me put more than 2 pictures in a post...

 

[VAMike23]

Did any of these players have BBanks' hops? The only player I've seen with similar athleticism is Lorin Dixon, but BBanks has a better handle and ability to stay in control while penetrating, while also being a lot longer of course

 

[EricLA]

Did any of these players have BBanks' hops? The only player I've seen with similar athleticism is Lorin Dixon, but BBanks has a better handle and ability to stay in control while penetrating, while also being a lot longer of course

i don't think so. maybe the best comparison would be a metaphorical spawn of Lorin Dixon and Ashley Battle...

 

[Olde Coach]

i don't think so. maybe the best comparison would be a metaphorical spawn of Lorin Dixon and Ashley Battle...

There are no close comparisons for Banks. She is unique in many ways; and she "is the fastest/quickest player in UConn history." (The quote is from Geno.)

 

[JoePgh]

I would compare Brianna to Tiffany -- speed, ball-handling, leaping ability to get rebounds, defense and steals, and a somewhat uncertain jump shot. I don't think Brianna is faster or quicker than Tiffany, but she is roughly comparable.

 

[VAMike23]

There are no close comparisons for Banks. She is unique in many ways; and she "is the fastest/quickest player in UConn history." (The quote is from Geno.)

The scary thing is, you get the feeling she doesn't even know how good she could eventually be. I think KML and Bria "know". Stef knows to some extent. Maya always knew; that was one her great gifts. But I don't think Brianna has the foggiest (yet).

 

[Phil]

BB set a UConn and NCAA record last night for "longest ever belly slide on the court."

...

I'll replay the game tonight and report the time on the clock to help y'all find it.
It may be the best play of the year.

Paging Biff

 

[sTu]

And Banks may have the "fastest" title for all of one year.

 

[Kibitzer]

Banks is such a thoroughbred that she makes most other players (except only Tiffany) look like Clydesdales.

She and Kiah are easing into the rotation nicely and causing opponents' guards sleepless nights after watching game films.

This kid has got game!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Brianna looks faster, just standing still, than just about anyone--male or female--that I have ever seen. Diamond may be a taller version of the same.

 

[Icebear]

Brianna looks faster, just standing still, than just about anyone--male or female--that I have ever seen. Diamond may be a taller version of the same.

The younger thinner Tiff of her freshman year looked faster than the stronger thicker Tiff of today. I am not sure it is true, however.

 

[DaddyChoc]

The younger thinner Tiff of her freshman year looked faster than the stronger thicker Tiff of today. I am not sure it is true, however.

I agree...

 

[jdubct]

I agree...

I don't know either. But imagine next year when Banks and Jefferson are on the court together. Now that's a speedy tandem that will cause defensive havoc together.

 

[Icebear]

I don't know either. But imagine next year when Banks and Jefferson are on the court together. Now that's a speedy tandem that will cause defensive havoc together.

This is most certainly true.