Aubrey Griffin Making an Early Impression

[Triad]

We got a good one

“She is athletic as s—t. She is a member of her family, let me tell you,” Auriemma said. “That kid goes, and goes, and goes. I don’t know what position she is, she’s a guard, she’s a forward, I don’t know. But that sucker rebounds the ball, she plays defense -- I’ve been really impressed by her. Really impressed.”

What Geno is comparing her to has no athletic ability at all--at least my doesn't.
We BY'er knew last spring she was a Gabby impersonator and goes and goes, now Geno is finding out. (Kidding Geno wouldn't have recruited her if she were less.

 

[Triad]

We ain't heard anything about a shot, mid range or otherwise. I think Geno would have mentioned it.

I know I'm speaking to [USER=6819]@JordyG[ so all kinds of respect is headed your way. You know as we do that Uconn needs a Rebounder that playes defense and is the energize bunny in disguise. Rebounding should give her scoring opportunities. Gabby wasn't Gabby her frosh and soph years. She got minute even with top player on the floor because she was go go go, and jumped out of the gym

 

[Triad]

Obviously, Aubrey can be good. Can she be really, really, really good?

I'll take that one step further---she will be good 5 really's good.

 

[DEpup]

Geno says she plays defense

Then she'll probably get on the court when the game still matters. Hopefully she watched Walker as a freshman and won't repeat it...

 

[MilfordHusky]

Aubrey is different from Gabby. Recall that Gabby was a national-class high jumper at age 15. Then she had 2 ACL tears. Gabby is 5'11", a human pogo stick, and very strong. Her athleticism is unusual, not just in the degree, but also in the type.

Aubrey is a more typical elite basketball athlete. She is long and lean, very fast with a long stride, and excellent hops. She's about 2" taller than Gabby, with longer legs and longer arms, but with considerably less strength. Who does Aubrey resemble? Diamond DeShields.

 

[CL82]

Clearly the young lady is rawer than steak tartar,

Maybe, but I expect that we hear her rawer, and I’m not lion.

 

[Bama fan]

Maybe, but I expect that we hear her rawer, and I’m not lion.

Oh ,my!

 

[Rixxx]

Maybe a taller Courtney Williams???

 

[MilfordHusky]

A taller, right-handed version of Tiffany Hayes.

 

[oldude]

How about a really talented version of Aubrey Griffin?

 

[bluedevil]

First there has to be a really cap..no more than 4 in a sentence. Also AG is not steak tartar..more like sushi..

 

[oldude]

First there has to be a really cap..no more than 4 in a sentence. Also AG is not steak tartar..more like sushi..

Actually, the Geno scale maxes out at 3 really's. If Geno ever uses 4 really's in a sentence, the BY would probably explode.....

 

[DEpup]

I've heard a lot and seen some tape about her driving, defense, and rebounding. I haven't heard a lot about passing, mid range or 3 pt shooting so I'm looking forward to seeing her on the court and getting a feel for her game.

 

[Carnac]

Aubrey is going to get minutes this year. Because of the depth and talent on this year’s team, she’ll be allowed to progress and develop at her own pace. She’s going to be an exciting and productive player. Probably not until late next season, or her junior year.

It’s going to be fun watching her grow, develop and mature into the player Geno envisions her becoming. She will get there. A quick glance at my crystal ball shows that it will happen. It’s just a matter of time.

 

[Alydar]

Once again you left out a "really". Clearly the young lady is rawer than steak tartar, but if she does the four things he's asked of her and does them well, she'll get minutes. But she's going to have to do those things every time on the floor.

I take exception to that part. You are suggesting that she and Gabriel are at the same stage of development? and that is simply not true. I suggest you google her play for Ossining. She also made the cut to 18 at the USA trials so if she is "raw" then so is every freshman in her class except perhaps 17.
She certainly has a lot to learn but that has been true of every freshman at UConn, even the anointed ones. My experience watch UConn has been that Geno likes to find something that his freshman can do well and if there aren't too many things they do poorly then they get spot minutes. He won't let them flounder unless he has no other options, and this year he has options.
I'm confident that Aubrey will get minutes early, not major minutes but as long as she competes in games like she does in practice. I would expect 10/game.

We ain't heard anything about a shot, mid range or otherwise. I think Geno would have mentioned it.

Geno has talked about Griffin twice. Both quotes are in this thread. They may not be the most positive things he ever said about a freshman but I don't remember any. It's obvious that he sees much more potential and as always it will be up to her. Gabby admitted that she didn't work hard enough as a freshman. Griffin seems to have gotten up to speed earlier.

And for evidence of her shooting there is that mystery player he talks to off camera in a practice video. Many here are guessing it was Griffin and one of things he told her she should focus on is shooting open 3's. If she had no shot he wouldn't have mentioned it.

 

[HuskylnSC]

Agreed. Gabby was totally focused. In June, Geno was talking about Griffin. " “She is athletic as s—t. She is a member of her family, let me tell you,” Auriemma said. “That kid goes, and goes, and goes. I don’t know what position she is, she’s a guard, she’s a forward, I don’t know. But that sucker rebounds the ball, she plays defense -- I’ve been really impressed by her. Really impressed.”

Geno has blown smoke in the summer before but his recent comments reinforced what he said in June. We will see.

At this time in Gabby's career Geno was saying he didn't know what to do with her. She was a guard tht couldn't dribble or shoot. It looks like Aubrey is starting with a better skill set then the Gabulous one.

 

[BroadwayVa]

very true and maybe that's a good thing for her development....

Some of us actually saw the potential of Aubrey possibly starting---The kid apparently has talent, energy and can jump out of the court. Geno saw that of her in HS Defense is the key to play for Geno and she defends.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I take exception to that part. You are suggesting that she and Gabriel are at the same stage of development? and that is simply not true. I suggest you google her play for Ossining. She also made the cut to 18 at the USA trials so if she is "raw" then so is every freshman in her class except perhaps 17.
She certainly has a lot to learn but that has been true of every freshman at UConn, even the anointed ones. My experience watch UConn has been that Geno likes to find something that his freshman can do well and if there aren't too many things they do poorly then they get spot minutes. He won't let them flounder unless he has no other options, and this year he has options.
I'm confident that Aubrey will get minutes early, not major minutes but as long as she competes in games like she does in practice. I would expect 10/game.


Geno has talked about Griffin twice. Both quotes are in this thread. They may not be the most positive things he ever said about a freshman but I don't remember any. It's obvious that he sees much more potential and as always it will be up to her. Gabby admitted that she didn't work hard enough as a freshman. Griffin seems to have gotten up to speed earlier.

And for evidence of her shooting there is that mystery player he talks to off camera in a practice video. Many here are guessing it was Griffin and one of things he told her she should focus on is shooting open 3's. If she had no shot he wouldn't have mentioned it.

While I believe all that Geno has recently said about Aubrey I remember excellent words he had to say about some that transferred for lack of PT. Sometime these words are to motivate--yet, I doubt that with Griffin.

 

[JordyG]

I take exception to that part. You are suggesting that she and Gabriel are at the same stage of development? and that is simply not true. I suggest you google her play for Ossining. She also made the cut to 18 at the USA trials so if she is "raw" then so is every freshman in her class except perhaps 17.
She certainly has a lot to learn but that has been true of every freshman at UConn, even the anointed ones. My experience watch UConn has been that Geno likes to find something that his freshman can do well and if there aren't too many things they do poorly then they get spot minutes. He won't let them flounder unless he has no other options, and this year he has options.
I'm confident that Aubrey will get minutes early, not major minutes but as long as she competes in games like she does in practice. I would expect 10/game.


Geno has talked about Griffin twice. Both quotes are in this thread. They may not be the most positive things he ever said about a freshman but I don't remember any. It's obvious that he sees much more potential and as always it will be up to her. Gabby admitted that she didn't work hard enough as a freshman. Griffin seems to have gotten up to speed earlier.

And for evidence of her shooting there is that mystery player he talks to off camera in a practice video. Many here are guessing it was Griffin and one of things he told her she should focus on is shooting open 3's. If she had no shot he wouldn't have mentioned it.

Sorry, but when I first saw Gabby she was raw as raw can be. Time will tell if Aubrey can shoot, has a handle, has a drop step and can finish with either hand from either side. Diamond, whom she has been compared to, although lacking a drop step, walked onto UT with all of that. So did Evina.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Some of us actually saw the potential of Aubrey possibly starting---The kid apparently has talent, energy and can jump out of the court. Geno saw that of her in HS Defense is the key to play for Geno and she defends.

Aubrey usually plays with high energy and uses her length in the passing lanes and to contest shots. I expect that she needs to improve her footwork, but she could become an elite defender. How did Gabby evolve as a defender? She defended 4 or 5 positions and became National Defensive Player of the Year. Aubrey is not as strong as Gabby, but she's longer. Her potential is very high.

We'll see Aubrey et al. in 12 days. I'm betting there is no one on the opposing team in the exhibition games who comes close to matching up with her. Aubrey may throw the ball away or miss a layup, but the athleticism will attract your attention.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Griffin has a tremendous upside, but as you indicate, we all need to be patient while she figures things out.

You are right about her UP and UP and UP side. Why do we need to wait to have encouraging words or good word of her possibilities ? I think she'd rather read or be told of BY fans belief in her. Positive words like positive re-enforcement go a long way (at times) to propel good player to near greatness. An Aw Crap words can easily deflate some balloons.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Sorry, but when I first saw Gabby she was raw as raw can be. Time will tell if Aubrey can shoot, has a handle, has a drop step and can finish with either hand from either side. Diamond, whom she has been compared to, although lacking a drop step, walked onto UT with all of that. So did Evina.

Yep as a frosh Geno saw potential in Gabby and Phee but neither showed greatness then a frosh both took 2 years to show any level of what they did become. But raw they were.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Others can comment on this, but I thought Aubrey was a more than capable FT shooter and an average 3-point shooter. I would guess the respective percentages were (75-80% and 30-35%). Her strength is getting to the hoop, which for her is only 1 dribble from the arc.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Yep as a frosh Geno saw potential in Gabby and Phee but neither showed greatness then a frosh both took 2 years to show any level of what they did become. But raw they were.

Collier's best season was arguably her sophomore season. It did not take her long to get going once she was out of Tuck's shadow. She was always going to be great no matter what school she went to or what coach she played for.

 

[Vowelguy]

A taller, right-handed version of Tiffany Hayes.

With hopefully less falling down.

 

[Biff]

A taller, right-handed version of Tiffany Hayes.

With hopefully less falling down.

Although Tiff did hit the floor often, you have to admit, she was really, really good at it.

 

[Alydar]

Sorry, but when I first saw Gabby she was raw as raw can be. Time will tell if Aubrey can shoot, has a handle, has a drop step and can finish with either hand from either side. Diamond, whom she has been compared to, although lacking a drop step, walked onto UT with all of that. So did Evina.

I remember DD's freshman year as a lot of shots for not so many points and a lot of standing around without the ball, zero defense and an attitude that screamed entitlement. And it continued at Tenn. Talented? Athletic? To an extreme. Much netter suited to the pro game. I never wanted her on my team when she was in college. A poor choice as a comparison to Griffin, who Geno says "goes and goes".

 

[Alydar]

With hopefully less falling down.

From my memory Tiff went to the line over half the times she went down. And I thought it was better fall than to stick out a leg and tear an ACL. And if I remember Geno never said don't fall, he told her she had to get up immediately or she was coming out of the game.

 

[eebmg]

If Aubrey plays like Tiffany Hayes the second half of her freshman year, that is good enough for me.

 

[Alydar]

Sorry, but when I first saw Gabby she was raw as raw can be. Time will tell if Aubrey can shoot, has a handle, has a drop step and can finish with either hand from either side. Diamond, whom she has been compared to, although lacking a drop step, walked onto UT with all of that. So did Evina.

DD was an academic junior when she first played for Tenn. Try and find a complete UNC game from her freshman year and you'll see a totally self-absorbed player, obvious talented and athletic but lacking in "team skills". She was a gunner who shot a mediocre 30% from 3 during her college career and the only shot she hit with any regularity was her mid range shot, which was excellent. She left college with basically the same game she came with. She has done well in the W and I have to wonder if she ever really took college ball seriously.

As for Griffin's shooting, her last HS game was in the finals of the NY Federation Cup against Christ the King. Her team lost, 81-76 after losing to CTK 91-50 earlier in the season when Griffin was out, hurt. In the second game she had 38 points, half of her team's scoring and made three 3pters. Oh, she also had 18 rebounds (9/9) 4 assists and 3 steals. Natalija Marshall (ESPN 2020 #32 N Dame) played for CTK a school that regularly sends players to D1 schools (Tina Charles, Sue Bird).