Based on the roster as we know it right now, who do you think starts next season?

[Heytherego]

I’d love to see a starting lineup of
Paige, Azzi, CW, Evina, Liv
-with AE and Nika getting quality minutes off the bench. Not sure how good Amari will be but if she can handle it, love to get her some good minutes for experience since Liv is graduating next year.
I think that could be deadly.
However, realistically I see
Nika, Paige, Evina, CW, Liv
With AE, Azzi giving good minutes and AG giving an extra spark when needed.
The great thing is that Geno is going to have an abundance of talent and have starter worthy talent coming off the bench.

 

[Go/huskies]

Agree eventually. She'll get starters minutes, at least.

If you put Azzi in, who's slot does she take?

She would likely replace Nika, Westbrook will be playing the 4 again unless Edwards is a starter. Nika is a good player, but I don’t see this outstanding lock down defender who just has to be in the starting line up, A high energy player who will come in play defense, and get you about 5 ppg would be perfect for a bench role. Azzi brings just about everything to the table that Mühl does, but she also comes with automatic jump shot, Mühl had a career high of 19 points in her 16th college game this year, Azzi will likely have three 19 point games by her 8th college game.

 

[BBallF]

if it was just your ordinary highly ranked high school recruit I would agree but is as good or better than PB in many ways and that kind of rare talent doesn't sit very often......

She's the best shooter for a high school player I have ever seen. I understood the question to refer to the beginning of the season next year. In the beginning, I think Nika starts.

 

[cferraro04]

Ono
Edwards
Evina
Paige
Williams

 

[MilfordHusky]

To those of you who think Nika is not a starter next year, she would like to meet you outside the gym.

 

[mattlow710]

just my opinion , if we will play 9 or 10 roster next year
may be 3 big gals will get 20 mins , ONO , AE , Amari
and anothher 20 mins maybe CD or AG can get it
PB 30 mins CW 25mins 25mins
Evina 20mins NM 15 mins

 

[cbraarj]

If they play their normal OOC schedule next year and Olivia doesn't step up. Her minutes will get drastically cut and if Amari is a player Liv will be third on the depth chart. Everyone keeps saying that Nika needs to come off the bench too. Geno expressed what the team was missing because of her intensity and don't ignore what he is thinking and wants from his team. If Liya makes the Sophmore leap then Liv better produce or she will be sitting. Geno wants a NC and this years version of Liv won't cut it.

 

[connboy77]

Geno talked about positionless basketball, spreading the floor, where everyone can shoot the 3. So I’m going all in on my fantasy starting 5 for next season:

Evina
Christyn
Paige
Nika
Azzi

How’s that for positionless basketball?

Take Nika out and put Edwards in her place and I would agree with you!

 

[Cuango]

I only hope Azzi is half as good as some here say she is. Also, I can’t believe how many seem to be sleeping on Caroline Ducharme!

 

[chrissaran]

Did you watch the three-point shooting contest where Azzi shot with a boot on? Yes, nobody was guarding her, but who else could shoot like that with a boot on?

 

[Childhood]

I only hope Azzi is half as good as some here say she is. Also, I can’t believe how many seem to be sleeping on Caroline Ducharme!

If it is the case, her ranking will not be #1 and Geno may not recruit her.

 

[sno-cat]

Ok the lineup is set. Just send it on to Geno to implement and we can all move on!

 

[oldude]

Take Nika out and put Edwards in her place and I would agree with you!

I suggested my starting 5 as something of a fantasy: 5 guards who can all handle the ball and shoot it. My actual guess for the starting 5 would be Liv in place of Azzi at the start of the season with Aaliyah & Azzi both pressing hard to break into the starting lineup, and certainly earning major PT off the bench.

I would not underestimate Nika’s ability to hold onto her starting spot. She makes Paige better by handling the PG role, which allows Paige to slide into the 2 spot and hunt her shot. Nika is maybe the toughest player on the team. She can disrupt the opposing team’s offense with her relentless defensive pressure on the ball and Geno loves having her in the lineup.

 

[veryolddog]

Eric: did you forget Piath and Autumn on your list?

 

[EricSD]

Eric: did you forget Piath and Autumn on your list?

I did not. In the original post I said:

I realize that things might change during the season given injuries, poor play, or exceptional play, but who do you think starts the beginning of the season in November based on who we currently have? Please note - no disrespect meant to Piath and Autumn, but I'm not including them. I'm listing the players by year...

Side note - Mir, Aubrey and Saylor received 0 votes as "who will start", and all of them were ahead of Piath and Autumn on the depth chart this past season.

 

[Go/huskies]

I suggested my starting 5 as something of a fantasy: 5 guards who can all handle the ball and shoot it. My actual guess for the starting 5 would be Liv in place of Azzi at the start of the season with Aaliyah & Azzi both pressing hard to break into the starting lineup, and certainly earning major PT off the bench.

I would not underestimate Nika’s ability to hold onto her starting spot. She makes Paige better by handling the PG role, which allows Paige to slide into the 2 spot and hunt her shot. Nika is maybe the toughest player on the team. She can disrupt the opposing team’s offense with her relentless defensive pressure on the ball and Geno loves having her in the lineup.

So the best shooting 2guard to come out of high school in a long time should back up the best point guard to come out of high school in a long time so she can play the shooting guard position? Azzi has played point guards a few times, I think Geno will be able to move Paige off the ball from time to time if Azzi starts.

 

[oldude]

So the best shooting 2guard to come out of high school in a long time should back up the best point guard to come out of high school in a long time so she can play the shooting guard position? Azzi has played point guards a few times, I think Geno will be able to move Paige off the ball from time to time if Azzi starts.

Not suggesting any such thing. Azzi can earn PT subbing for Nika, Christyn, Evina & Paige to start. If she’s healthy she will certainly compete for a starting spot, with Nika the most likely player to lose her starting spot. I’m just making the point that Nika is a fierce competitor who has no plan to step aside just because Azzi is on the roster.

Keep in mind that when Nika was recruited she had absolutely no fear of competing for PT with Paige. As it worked out, they both started and the team thrived as a result.

 

[jabstep]

I think by season's end the best five, not necessarily the starting five, will be a lineup of Paige-CW-Azzi-Edwards-ONO.

I agree with this statement. 3pt shooters, plenty of offense, and rim protection. Rebounding is covered and we hope Azzi can guard a chair. Paige needs to work on her man defense. Geno hid her on the other team's weakest player. National Champs 2022. Evina, Nika, Aubrey will offer energy off the bench. Hopefully, Piath or Deberry can offer the bigs some rest.

 

[Huskyfan63]

if it was just your ordinary highly ranked high school recruit I would agree but is as good or better than PB in many ways and that kind of rare talent doesn't sit very often......

I'm definitely going to have to see that to believe it. Interestingly, it would seem Paige will be first in line to help enable Azzi succeed, even if it results in less gaudy stats for herself. Such an unselfish player. I also think it's going to push Nika's development into another gear as well, simply out of competitiveness (pretty obvious she doesn't lack in that department).

 

[Zorro]

Same as this year, with Azzi, AE, AG and Caroline as shock troops off the bench. Could and probably will change somewhat during the year, with Azzi and AE most likely to replace Nika and ?. No matter who starts and who comes off the bench, it will be a killer1

 

[Charliebball]

I'm definitely going to have to see that to believe it. Interestingly, it would seem Paige will be first in line to help enable Azzi succeed, even if it results in less gaudy stats for herself. Such an unselfish player. I also think it's going to push Nika's development into another gear as well, simply out of competitiveness (pretty obvious she doesn't lack in that department).

oh you'll see it...........if she's healthy there's not much question who the better shooter and defender is............ is no slouch as a passer either.........

 

[chrissaran]

Ok the lineup is set. Just send it on to Geno to implement and we can all move on!

The fun of having a board is to discuss the team. That's the fun of sports, which is what people have done since the beginning of sports.

 

[chrissaran]

I suggested my starting 5 as something of a fantasy: 5 guards who can all handle the ball and shoot it. My actual guess for the starting 5 would be Liv in place of Azzi at the start of the season with Aaliyah & Azzi both pressing hard to break into the starting lineup, and certainly earning major PT off the bench.

I would not underestimate Nika’s ability to hold onto her starting spot. She makes Paige better by handling the PG role, which allows Paige to slide into the 2 spot and hunt her shot. Nika is maybe the toughest player on the team. She can disrupt the opposing team’s offense with her relentless defensive pressure on the ball and Geno loves having her in the lineup.

Do you think Olivia is a better overall player than Aaliyah? Aaliyah doesn't have Olivia's shot blocking skills, but in terms of effort, physicality, athleticism, handling the ball, and finishing around the rim, I would take Aaliyah over Olivia.

 

[oldude]

Do you think Olivia is a better overall player than Aaliyah? Aaliyah doesn't have Olivia's shot blocking skills, but in terms of effort, physicality, athleticism, handling the ball, and finishing around the rim, I would take Aaliyah over Olivia.

Right now Liv has the edge. Next year we’ll see.

 

[Stymie]

Right now Liv has the edge. Next year we’ll see.

I think Aaliyah is going to be breathing down her neck coming out of the blocks this fall.
Tremendous improvement on her part over the course of this year.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I only hope Azzi is half as good as some here say she is. Also, I can’t believe how many seem to be sleeping on Caroline Ducharme!

See what you think of this. It's highlights from the 2019 D.C. City Championship game. As a sophomore, Azzi set the arena scoring record by pouring in 38 (someone named Delle Donne plays in the same arena). She personally outscored the Visitation team. That game reminded me of Mater Dei v. Berkeley in the 2011 California championship game. Kaleena outscored the entire Berkeley team in the 2nd half to get her team the win. If you liked KML's college career, you'll like Azzi's game.

 

[Golden Husky]

See what you think of this. It's highlights from the 2019 D.C. City Championship game. As a sophomore, Azzi set the arena scoring record by pouring in 38 (someone named Delle Donne plays in the same arena). She personally outscored the Visitation team. That game reminded me of Mater Dei v. Berkeley in the 2011 California championship game. Kaleena outscored the entire Berkeley team in the 2nd half to get her team the win. If you liked KML's college career, you'll like Azzi's game.

Poor No. 23. She's probably still in therapy.

 

[JordyG]

It's going to be very hard for Geno to keep Azzi off the floor. The question "who starts next year" may be moot as opposed to "who gets the most minutes". Those here who think Azzi is only "good" I suggest y'all rewatch every FIBA game she played in multiple times and watch as many HS games she played as I have. I've watched those FIBA games each about 10 times. For those with a "show me" attitude that ought to show you. I repeat, her pull up is as good or better than Paige's. Her pull up going left to right or right to left is the best I've seen, and that will translate to coming off screens. Her power drive to the basket is terrific. Her 3 pt shooting is better than Paige's. She is a great ball handler that doesn't turn the ball over and keeps her mark in front of her on defense. Remember how KML would kill you on that trail 3 in transition? Remember those corner 3's by KML that would bury teams? Well, here they are again. She's a better passer than KML. Not as good as Paige, but she's excellent, no doubt. She's not afraid to mix it up inside for rebounds. She doesn't get rattled. What more can anyone ask?

 

[tchalla1]

It's going to be very hard for Geno to keep Azzi off the floor. The question "who starts next year" may be moot as opposed to "who gets the most minutes". Those here who think Azzi is only "good" I suggest y'all rewatch every FIBA game she played in multiple times and watch as many HS games she played as I have. I've watched those FIBA games each about 10 times. For those with a "show me" attitude that ought to show you. I repeat, her pull up is as good or better than Paige's. Her pull up going left to right or right to left is the best I've seen, and that will translate to coming off screens. Her power drive to the basket is terrific. Her 3 pt shooting is better than Paige's. She is a great ball handler that doesn't turn the ball over and keeps her mark in front of her on defense. Remember how KML would kill you on that trail 3 in transition? Remember those corner 3's by KML that would bury teams? Well, here they are again. She's a better passer than KML. Not as good as Paige, but she's excellent, no doubt. She's not afraid to mix it up inside for rebounds. She doesn't get rattled. What more can anyone ask?

This is the best framing of Azzi's skillset that I have read thus. When Steph Curry says that you have one of the best jumpers he's even seen, I mean this is high praise indeed. You notice Azzi's jumper barely ruffles the net and she shoots it the same way every time, every time... Azzi literally has no weaknesses to her offensive game and I completely agree with your assessment about who's starting which may give itself to deference to seniority and honoring contribution to the program which Geno is big on--and rightly so--however, total minutes played and significant minutes (minutes played when the game is on the line) played will always come down to overall contribution, and after Azzi does her thing initially, there is no way she doesn't get both a lot of total minutes and significant minutes...

 

[JordyG]

This is the best framing of Azzi's skillset that I have read thus. When Steph Curry says that you have one of the best jumpers he's even seen, I mean this is high praise indeed. You notice Azzi's jumper barely ruffles the net and she shoots it the same way every time, every time... Azzi literally has no weaknesses to her offensive game and I completely agree with your assessment about who's starting which may give itself to deference to seniority and honoring contribution to the program which Geno is big on--and rightly so--however, total minutes played and significant minutes (minutes played when the game is on the line) played will always come down to overall contribution, and after Azzi does her thing initially, there is no way she doesn't get both a lot of total minutes and significant minutes...

Yes and yes. And if anyone else still doubts how good this kid is just ask @MilfordHusky who has seen her in person more than anyone on this board. He'll tell ya.