Aaliyah Edwards to UConn!!! | Page 4 | The Boneyard

Aaliyah Edwards to UConn!!!

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oldude said:
Wonderful news from Crestwood Prep. With the addition of Aaliyah Edwards to an already uber-talented recruiting class, UConn has now secured a complete set: 1 Center, 2 Guards & 2 Forwards. A few random thoughts:
  • Over the past few years, some of us may have felt Geno was losing a step or two after missing on several high-profile recruits. But there are a couple things that we should never forget about Geno: he adapts better than any other WBB coach and he is a fierce competitor. From the moment last season ended Geno and his staff were incredibly active patching up this season’s holes in the roster with talented transfers/international players and then going out and landing 5 really talented players for next year.
  • I also suspect that Paige took it as a personal challenge to land Aaliyah as her teammate. I am already fantasizing about Paige racing down the middle of the court with the ball in her hands, leading a fast break, with Mir on one wing and Aaliyah on the other. SHOWTIME!!!
  • In addition, I suspect that another assist should be handed out to a young lady who also hails from north of the border and was a member of the Canadian National Team while still in HS. To UConn fans, Kia Nurse was a fierce competitor and relentless defender. To Canadians, particularly young WBB players, Kia Nurse is something of a Rock Star.
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1. Some folks here and elsewhere thought that Geno had lost it. After Horston, Boston, and Jones went elsewhere, they said UConn was done. This is what Geno said: “We’re going to be out there and we’re going to get good players. They might be now or later, they might be here or overseas, they may be anywhere. But we’re going to have a bunch of good players here next year. That’s for sure. I’m not worried about that.” Starting in early April, Geno landed NINE players in under 7 months: Evina, Evelyn, and Anna for this year (hopefully); Paige, Nika, Mir, Piath, and Aaliyah for next year; and Saylor for the following year. That's VERY impressive.

2. Yes, don't underestimate Paige Bueckers. As part of Showtime, remember that Nika is also a magician with the ball. I can see an Aaliyah-Oop on the fast break.

3. Our hockey-playing "nasty piece of business" is a role model. See Kia Nurse starring at Barclay's Center, along with Tina Charles, Sabrina Ionescu, et al.

4. I can see Liv, Meg, Mir, and Aaliyah playing volleyball on the O boards. Rebounds win championships.
 
Carnac said:
As usual, well said OD!! :)
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soxfan23 said:
2020

Starters/Bench

1. Bueckers 6'0 Fr/ Muhl 5'11 Fr
2. Williams 5'11 Jr/ Makurat 6'1 So
3. Westbrook 6'0 RS Sr/ Griffin 6'1 So/ McClean 5'11 Fr
4. Walker 6'1 Sr/ Edwards 6'3 Fr
5. Nelson-Ododa 6'5 Jr/ Gabriel 6'5 Fr
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I think Geno and staff realized the Achilles heel of the teams in recent years was not enough depth on the bench. I think with recruiting now Geno is basically saying we can’t rely on kids who are hard workers but can’t do enough in games.
 
Centerstream said:
I will admit that I wasn't very optimistic about her decision (before she announced it) because of the way she was announcing it. I just figured if she was going to come to UConn that it would be a quiet announcement, ala Stewie. But...I did watch it, enjoyed her raw emotion and am glad she chose UConn and will not complain about any future fanfare announcements.
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Meg had a ceremony, complete with a Husky. Both Liv and Christyn had ceremonies at school.
 
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oldude said:
I had not seen the US/CAN championship game so I just watched the game and focused on Aaliyah. Against great competition, she looked very comfortable, particularly on defense, where she was frequently matched up with Pheesa or Lou. Aaliyah has really good footwork and long arms. She will be a very tough defender. On offense, she certainly has some skills. The only thing I'd like to see her do more is to cut hard to the basket, something she will undoubtedly learn when she gets to UConn.

One other thing that really impressed me. Early on in the game, she was introduced to one of Steph's patented, blindside screens that absolutely flattened her. Aaliyah bounced right back up and got back into the game. Not sure if she still had all of her teeth, but it didn't appear to faze her.
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I thought that play might cost us a highly desired recruit. ;)
 
MilfordHusky said:
1. Some folks here and elsewhere thought that Geno had lost it. After Horston, Boston, and Jones went elsewhere, they said UConn was done. This is what Geno said: “We’re going to be out there and we’re going to get good players. They might be now or later, they might be here or overseas, they may be anywhere. But we’re going to have a bunch of good players here next year. That’s for sure. I’m not worried about that.” Starting in early April, Geno landed NINE players in under 7 months: Evina, Evelyn, and Anna for this year (hopefully); Paige, Nika, Mir, Piath, and Aaliyah for next year; and Saylor for the following year. That's VERY impressive.

2. Yes, don't underestimate Paige Bueckers. As part of Showtime, remember that Nika is also a magician with the ball. I can see an Aaliyah-Oop on the fast break.

3. Our hockey-playing "nasty piece of business" is a role model. See Kia Nurse starring at Barclay's Center, along with Tina Charles, Sabrina Ionescu, et al.

4. I can see Liv, Meg, Mir, and Aaliyah playing volleyball on the O boards. Rebounds win championships.
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I remember those times vividly for #1. Especially the back and forth between Charlieball and Coco.
 
MilfordHusky said:
Meg had a ceremony, complete with a Husky. Both Liv and Christyn had ceremonies at school.
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And I am guessing that they were also streamed live? If they were, I didn't pay any attention to them...this is the first commitment reveal that I have streamed but only because I was home on a Thursday afternoon browsing in the BY's WBB forum at 4PM...
 
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Over the last 2-3 years, we were effective with a pressure defense, but we had to limit it due to a lack of a bench. Fatigue may have been a problem, but fouls certainly were. We now have the troops to attack on defense. Paige is a thief with fabulous timing and hands, Mir and Aaliyah are long and quick, Liv is a rim protector, etc. Look for some lock-down defense.
 
ABCDFE said:
I think Geno and staff realized the Achilles heel of the teams in recent years was not enough depth on the bench. I think with recruiting now Geno is basically saying we can’t rely on kids who are hard workers but can’t do enough in games.
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I am ready for a team with enough players to do the classic UConn press where you blink and they are up by 20 or more. For me that's what has been missing. The last couple years the numbers have only allowed for one quarter of press.
 
ABCDFE said:
How would you rate Fudd vs Bueckers? Who would you rather have if you had to choose.
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Ooh, #1 and #1a. Paige and Azzi were the best players in high school last year, even better than Jones and Horston. Azzi won half of the NPOY awards--as a sophomore. Would you rather have Diana or Maya? I think it depends on the need. Both can play the 1, 2, and 3. Paige is better at the 1; Azzi is better at the 2 or 3. Paige may be the best passer since Diana. Azzi may be the best shooter since Steph Curry (no comparisons on the women's side; she's a 50/40/90 shooter). Paige is fiery, like Diana. Azzi is smooth, like Maya. I'd give you first choice and would be thrilled to get the player you didn't pick. But think about them together. Sue and Diana rarely lose when they play together; well, think about Paige and Azzi. Sounds like a backcourt for the ages. BTW, they would be on the floor with Squeaks!
 
MilfordHusky said:
I thought that play might cost us a highly desired recruit. ;)
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Actually I think that it made her to want to come to UConn more. She understood that Stepf learned that move while playing for Geno and CD and hopes to become a player like Stepf, Stewie, Tuck, or Pheesa. They all learned that pick play while playing for UConn.
 
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Ok, I've posted several times since I got home, but I want to do this:

Welcome to HuskyNation, Aaliyah! You will be a lifetime member and always welcome in Connecticut. Geno, CD, et al. will help you develop as a player and person. We are thrilled to have you. Enjoy your senior year! We will see you next year--and you will hear us.
 
MilfordHusky said:
Ooh, #1 and #1a. Paige and Azzi were the best players in high school last year, even better than Jones and Horston. Azzi won half of the NPOY awards--as a sophomore. Would you rather have Diana or Maya? I think it depends on the need. Both can play the 1, 2, and 3. Paige is better at the 1; Azzi is better at the 2 or 3. Paige may be the best passer since Diana. Azzi may be the best shooter since Steph Curry (no comparisons on the women's side; she's a 50/40/90 shooter). Paige is fiery, like Diana. Azzi is smooth, like Maya. I'd give you first choice and would be thrilled to get the player you didn't pick. But think about them together. Sue and Diana rarely lose when they play together; well, think about Paige and Azzi. Sounds like a backcourt for the ages. BTW, they would be on the floor with Squeaks!
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I’m with ya. Your assessment is spot on. So let’s hope we can get them both and see what happens. If they’re both here it may be the closest thing to watching what a team with D and Maya looks like.
 
“When she arrives on campus, they’re going to get a player that’s about the program," Edwards’ high school coach, Marlo Davis, told The Courant. “Whatever UConn needs from her to get back to that championship, she’s there to do it. If that means she needs to score 30 points, that’s what she’s going to do. If that means she needs to score five points and grab 30 rebounds, that what she’s going to do.

"If she has to score zero points and guard the other teams’ best players, that’s what she’s going to do. She’s a kid that’s for the team. I think that’s one of the things that drew her to UConn. Everybody there is about the team.”

...

Edwards’ athleticism has also allowed her to excel in track, specifically in triple jump, Davis said.

“Her ability to run in plays in the open floor, I think that’s one of her strengths,” he added. “Her ability to rebound with her athleticism and height; she’s a mismatch. Against bigger players, she’s an athlete so she can beat them off the dribble, and if they have smaller players on her, she’s strong as an ox so she’ll score on them or score on the block as well.”


www.courant.com

Canadian prospect Aaliyah Edwards announces commitment to UConn women’s basketball, becoming fifth member of 2020 recruiting class

The UConn women’s basketball team gained a fifth member of its 2020 recruiting class when Aaliyah Edwards, the No. 26 prospect of her class according to ESPN, verbally committed to UConn on T…
www.courant.com www.courant.com



 
Sluconn Husky said:
“When she arrives on campus, they’re going to get a player that’s about the program," Edwards’ high school coach, Marlo Davis, told The Courant. “Whatever UConn needs from her to get back to that championship, she’s there to do it. If that means she needs to score 30 points, that’s what she’s going to do. If that means she needs to score five points and grab 30 rebounds, that what she’s going to do.

"If she has to score zero points and guard the other teams’ best players, that’s what she’s going to do. She’s a kid that’s for the team. I think that’s one of the things that drew her to UConn. Everybody there is about the team.”

...

Edwards’ athleticism has also allowed her to excel in track, specifically in triple jump, Davis said.

“Her ability to run in plays in the open floor, I think that’s one of her strengths,” he added. “Her ability to rebound with her athleticism and height; she’s a mismatch. Against bigger players, she’s an athlete so she can beat them off the dribble, and if they have smaller players on her, she’s strong as an ox so she’ll score on them or score on the block as well.”


www.courant.com

Canadian prospect Aaliyah Edwards announces commitment to UConn women’s basketball, becoming fifth member of 2020 recruiting class

The UConn women’s basketball team gained a fifth member of its 2020 recruiting class when Aaliyah Edwards, the No. 26 prospect of her class according to ESPN, verbally committed to UConn on T…
www.courant.com www.courant.com
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So she can give us 30 points or 30 rebounds on a given night. Her coach is quite the optimist, :)
 
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Sluconn Husky said:
“When she arrives on campus, they’re going to get a player that’s about the program," Edwards’ high school coach, Marlo Davis, told The Courant. “Whatever UConn needs from her to get back to that championship, she’s there to do it. If that means she needs to score 30 points, that’s what she’s going to do. If that means she needs to score five points and grab 30 rebounds, that what she’s going to do.

"If she has to score zero points and guard the other teams’ best players, that’s what she’s going to do. She’s a kid that’s for the team. I think that’s one of the things that drew her to UConn. Everybody there is about the team.”

...

Edwards’ athleticism has also allowed her to excel in track, specifically in triple jump, Davis said.

“Her ability to run in plays in the open floor, I think that’s one of her strengths,” he added. “Her ability to rebound with her athleticism and height; she’s a mismatch. Against bigger players, she’s an athlete so she can beat them off the dribble, and if they have smaller players on her, she’s strong as an ox so she’ll score on them or score on the block as well.”


www.courant.com

Canadian prospect Aaliyah Edwards announces commitment to UConn women’s basketball, becoming fifth member of 2020 recruiting class

The UConn women’s basketball team gained a fifth member of its 2020 recruiting class when Aaliyah Edwards, the No. 26 prospect of her class according to ESPN, verbally committed to UConn on T…
www.courant.com www.courant.com
Expand ...

HS coaches can really talk up their stars. Great quotes. Ricci at Ossining & Bueckers'coach, Cosgrove? All masters at it. Looks like next season we have Taurasi, Moore and G Williams coming in? Sounds good to me. :D
 
MilfordHusky said:
Over the last 2-3 years, we were effective with a pressure defense, but we had to limit it due to a lack of a bench. Fatigue may have been a problem, but fouls certainly were. We now have the troops to attack on defense. Paige is a thief with fabulous timing and hands, Mir and Aaliyah are long and quick, Liv is a rim protector, etc. Look for some lock-down defense.
Expand ...
Also let's not forget Griffin's athleticism. She is, indeed, going to be a handful in the transition game and the quarter court on defense right away.
 
MSGRET said:
Actually I think that it made her to want to come to UConn more. She understood that Stepf learned that move while playing for Geno and CD and hopes to become a player like Stepf, Stewie, Tuck, or Pheesa. They all learned that pick play while playing for UConn.
Expand ...
I think what made her want to play more was looking over at the team in red and seeing 4 UConn players. That had to impress her.
 
Centerstream said:
I will admit that I wasn't very optimistic about her decision (before she announced it) because of the way she was announcing it. I just figured if she was going to come to UConn that it would be a quiet announcement, ala Stewie. But...I did watch it, enjoyed her raw emotion and am glad she chose UConn and will not complain about any future fanfare announcements.
Expand ...

2011 is a different era from 2019. Social media, vids, pomp and circumstance...all that. Just not comparable.
 
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