Amari? Did we forget about her?

[Carnac]

To me it was never about the skills, it was about the physicality and the toughness. If she progresses in the strength department, which I am sure is being worked on now, we may hopefully see an improvement which can make her a consistent contributor under the basket. We already know that she can shoot. A lot of upside for her.

She scored over 2,000 points in HS, and made two USA youth teams. There is talent there. It just has to be cultivated, nurtured and coached. Geno and staff will provide this.

 

[BobbyJ]

The first thing I would like to see from Amari (and I suspect that Geno would agree) is a readiness to mix it up under the basket -- protect the rim on defense, box out, contest rebounds, hang onto rebounds when she gets them, look first for a putback rather than someone to pass to, and (in general) don't pass unless/until she is double-teamed. After she shows those credentials, shooting from 10 or 15 feet may be the next priority, but it's somewhere quite a ways down the list.

If she just wants to be a big who can make midrange shots, there are other players on the roster (Aaliyah, Ice, Ayanna, Caroline, maybe even Aubrey) who can do that -- and those players can also attack the basket and contest rebounds. For Amari to make enough of a contribution to get serious minutes, she needs to use her 6-5 frame and be a credible backup for Dorka or Aaliyah when they are unavailable for whatever reason.

All things that can be developed with hard work and one key tool, a motor that runs hot. At 6-5, lacking those two things is the only way you go through a whole season with that coaching staff and still be on the bench with all the PT that was available.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

She scored over 2,000 points in HS, and made two USA youth teams. There is talent there. It just has to be cultivated, nurtured and coached. Geno and staff will provide this.

@Carnac my friend, don't forget what she heard when she arrived, but apparently did not take seriously. "We don't teach effort."

 

[Carnac]

@Carnac my friend, don't forget what she heard when she arrived, but apparently did not take seriously. "We don't teach effort."

Yes Sir!!! If she forgot, or didn't take Geno seriously, she was reminded about that program dynamic EVERY GAME she did not get off the bench. Remember what Former UCLA coach John Wooden said about the bench.............................."it's an excellent teacher." So I guess if there's any question about whether she heard or understood what Geno said regarding effort, we can ask her.....................

 

[Carnac]

All things that can be developed with hard work and one key tool, a motor that runs hot. At 6-5, lacking those two things is the only way you go through a whole season with that coaching staff and still be on the bench with all the PT that was available.

For extra motivation, perhaps Amari can pick a 6'5" player in the WNBA, and pattern HER game after her. The first player I thought of is A'ja Wilson, followed closely by Elena Delle Donne.

Two class of 2022 players that I also like are 6'2" Rhyne Howard, the 2022 SEC POY and WNBA Rookie of the year, and 6'4" NaLyssa Smith. Both players lived up to their hype coming in to the league. That said, I'd be happy with her being the best Amari DeBerry she can be.

 

[BobbyJ]

For extra motivation, perhaps Amari can pick a 6'5" player in the WNBA, and pattern HER game after her. The first player I thought of is A'ja Wilson, followed closely by Elena Delle Donne.

Two class of 2022 players that I also like are 6'2" Rhyne Howard, the 2022 SEC POY and WNBA Rookie of the year, and 6'4" NaLyssa Smith. Both players lived up to their hype coming in to the league. That said, I'd be happy with her being the best Amari DeBerry she can be.

I don’t think those two are realistic for her. I’d tell her to watch video of Morrow from DePaul to see what all out effort can do for her.

 

[Stymie]

I don’t think those two are realistic for her. I’d tell her to watch video of Morrow from DePaul to see what all out effort can do for her.

I don’t think those two are realistic for her. I’d tell her to watch video of Morrow from DePaul to see what all out effort can do for her.

Not sure she has anywhere the motor of Morrow, but maybe she can develop Morrow’s hip check.

 

[eebmg]

Not sure she has anywhere the motor of Morrow, but maybe she can develop Morrow’s hip check.

Morrow has very quick feet / leaper. Not sure you can teach that.

 

[BobbyJ]

Not sure she has anywhere the motor of Morrow, but maybe she can develop Morrow’s hip check.

All UConn’s bigs should develop it. It works great and doesn’t get called much.

 

[hoophuskee]

At UConn posts pass as much as receive. And I wasn't describing DeBerry. I was commenting on those who say she has to improve her individual skills. From the video I've seen she seems comfortable with the ball in her hands and she is very fluid out on the perimeter. Other than that we know nothing.
Patterson stated in an interview that in HS her size was sufficient but in college that's not enough. That may sum it up for DeBerry. She looks amazing. So why did she get Gabriel minutes?

I can only offer an opinion, so imo it would be because of her defense and the talent on the UCONN team. IMO unless you're elite at something specific, just being all-offense or all-defense at one side of the court isn't enough for a team like UCONN always getting elite recruits and vying for titles, you're going to be hard pressed to get minutes unless the team is desperate.

I'll take Geno's word for it when he said she was not a good practice player. I can only offer an opinion but it seems reasonable to assume that many freshmen are inconsistent at many things, and DeBerry can only score vs top competition on with a jump shot. Your jump shot can come and go especially as a frosh. So if you are competing against superior players and your shot is off, which happens to even super shooters go into slumps, then what would she bring vs getting wiped out on the other side of the floor with the type of talent she was competing against?. And it's not just one day. It's over and over. Even if she is playing her best - her best would not be better than 8 of last year's players at their best. And how often are you at your best especially as a frosh?

So being 9th on depth chart if at your best which you aren't often at (because Geno said she didn't practice well), why would anyone expect her frosh year to not be "Piath?" She’s better than Piath but not the others as of last year.

There’s no shame in this; she was a freshman competing against better players.

 

[Bone Dog]

I liked Piath, too. Her skills were limited, and she didn't make much progress in two years. But what she could do, she did with aplomb. I enjoyed watching her play. I hope she finds a school and a conference where her skills make sense.

 

[cancontent]

I liked Piath, too. Her skills were limited, and she didn't make much progress in two years. But what she could do, she did with aplomb. I enjoyed watching her play. I hope she finds a school and a conference where her skills make sense.

She transferred to UMass and also gets to be closer to home.

 

[BobbyJ]

She transferred to UMass and also gets to be closer to home.

Only about 15 minutes drive time.

 

[cancontent]

Only about 15 minutes drive time.

Damn. Literally close to home.

 

[BobbyJ]

Damn. Literally close to home.

No, I meant the difference in the distance from her home in Manchester, NH to Amherst, Mass. as opposed to the distance from home to Storrs, CT.

 

[cancontent]

No, I meant the difference in the distance from her home in Manchester, NH to Amherst, Mass. as opposed to the distance from home to Storrs, CT.

That's what I meant with my response.

 

[Stymie]

I will say I never even heard a whisper of Piath not making maximum effort.
And she did show significant improvement during her tenure.
Of course wishing her the best.

 

[Carnac]

I don’t think those two are realistic for her. I’d tell her to watch video of Morrow from DePaul to see what all out effort can do for her.

Morrow is not 6'5". I was thinking of someone her own size to possibly emulate. However, I could not agree more with your suggestion of her watching tape of Aneesah Morrow's freshman year. Morrow is listed at 6'1", and may not be that tall. If Morrow can do the things she did as a freshman at 6'1", DeBerry should be able to do most of them as a sophomore at 6'5".

Morrow has an incredible motor, and is relentless in her approach. Her career highs are 41 pts vs Creighton (2/27), and 27 rebounds vs Seton Hall (1/30). DePaul lost to Dayton 88-57 in the Greensboro region first four of the NCAA tournament earlier this year. Morrow had 28/17. She had 27-28 double-doubles in a row at one time during the season. She's going to be a nightmare for DePaul opponents this year.

 

[Bone Dog]

I was casting about for analogies for Morrow in the men's game and came up with Moses Malone -- slightly undersized as a center, but relentless on rebounds, putbacks, and got tons of points from the free throw line.

 

[ConnMotors]

With Ice now out for the year which sucks I'm counting on Amari to have a breakthrough season. Have always liked this young lady. And she will be counted on heavily for quality post minutes.

 

[mrmojack]

Amari now becomes a much needed piece of the puzzle. Soph. leap? We are going to need that.

 

[Carnac]

@Carnac my friend, don't forget what she heard when she arrived, but apparently did not take seriously. "We don't teach effort."

Noted!!! If she didn't hear him when she arrived, she heard him load and clear throughout the season when she did not get off the bench for meaningful minutes. I recall what the legendary UCLA HOF coach John R. Wooden said......"the bench is an excellent teacher."
We'll find out during the Kutztown and Northeastern games if she's changed her perception of the importance of "practice."

I don't know where she stood on the depth chart before Ice went down, but Friday her stock rose substantially. Instead of 3 post players, now we're down to two, in addition to being down a roster player that can't be replaced until midseason if Geno can find one he likes that wants to transfer. What are the chances of that? Often midseason transfers leave because of lack of playing time or other personal challenges with teammates or staff. SMH. I'm not a happy man today. I was really looking forward to watching Ice play and develop this year.

 

[Carnac]

I was casting about for analogies for Morrow in the men's game and came up with Moses Malone -- slightly undersized as a center, but relentless on rebounds, putbacks, and got tons of points from the free throw line.

Morrow is (IMO) an anomaly. At 6'1", she CONSISTENTLY out performs most 6'5"+ post players........and she's not a post player. She listed on DePaul's roster as a forward. A WBCA All-America Honorable Mention... USBWA, WBCA and The Athletic National Freshman of the Year... ESPN Top Freshman in the Country.

She was the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week a record 13 times... set DePaul single-season record for rebounds (457) and rebounding average 13.8)... set BIG EAST single-game rebounding record with 27 at Seton Hall... led the country in rebounds per game and offensive rebounds per game...

Morrow would go on to break 11 BIG EAST records including most rebounds in a game (27 at Seton Hall) and most rebounds in a season (BIG EAST games). The 27 boards set an NCAA season high. Her 41 points at Creighton set a new freshman standard. Led in the country in total rebounds (457) and double-doubles w/27 (Boston had 30), including a nation's best streak of 23 in a row.

Other than Aliyah Boston (South Carolina), how many post players had anywhere near the number of double doubles she had last year? Imagine for a moment if SHE was 6'5". She would be unstoppable, an All-American, and most likely player of the year.

 

[Alydar]

I can't forget because there is little to remember. Other than games we see nothing. And she hasn't played.

 

[TeamFirst!]

I've never been a huge fan of Amari the player but I'm a huge fan of her as a person. She seems like a terrific young woman. These kids don't have to be great basketball players to be admired...but it would help! Amari now has the opportunity of a lifetime. Here is to hoping she can find a way to maximize it. I'd love to see some strong defense, some quickness, some rebounding ferocity. Lose the outside shot until she shows me she can play post first. Someone feed her some raw meat please. Channel some Ayanna. You can be nice off the court and all business on it.