Batouly Camara a 18/19 Star or Utility Player?

[BroadwayVa]

The Bio from Uconnhuskies.com Women's site posts the following:

As a Redshirt Sophomore (2017-18): Appeared in 23 games, averaging 4.8 minutes per game … tallied eight points, three rebounds and two steals vs. Saint Francis (3/17) … grabbed four rebounds, two assists and a block vs. Cincinnati (3/5) … posted eight points on 3-for-4 shooting with three assists and three rebounds vs. Temple (2/18) … scored four points vs. Tulane (1/27) … went 3-for-4 from the charity strip and added two boards at Houston (1/13) … notched three rebounds in UConn debut at DePaul (12/8).
As a Sophomore (2016-17): Redshirt season per NCAA transfer rules.
As a Freshman at Kentucky (2015-16): Appeared in 33 games with 14 starts … averaged 5.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game … tallied 11 boards vs. UNC Asheville (3/19) … posted 12 points vs. Florida (3/4) … notched 14 points and nine rebounds at South Carolina (2/4) … had 10 rebounds vs. South Carolina (1/14) … scored 10 points at Arizona State (11/15) … made collegiate debut vs. Rice (11/13).
USA Basketball: Earned a spot on the 2014 Women’s U18 National Team trials roster.
Before College: Rated as the No. 2 power forward by All-Star Girls Report coming out of high school and the ninth-best player in the country by ESPN.com ... averaged 12.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game in helping lead Blair Academy to a 19-3 finish ... named 2014 All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League First Team and was second-team NJ Prep A All-State selection … helped the Buccaneers to three Mid- Atlantic Prep League Championships and a 62-8 overall record ... elected vice chair of Blair Academy's student government council as a junior and was a representative on the student council as a sophomore

Assuming she is healthy this season what is her role with this team?

 

[Bascomfan]

Hopefully the former

 

[JordyG]

The Bio from Uconnhuskies.com Women's site posts the following:

As a Redshirt Sophomore (2017-18): Appeared in 23 games, averaging 4.8 minutes per game … tallied eight points, three rebounds and two steals vs. Saint Francis (3/17) … grabbed four rebounds, two assists and a block vs. Cincinnati (3/5) … posted eight points on 3-for-4 shooting with three assists and three rebounds vs. Temple (2/18) … scored four points vs. Tulane (1/27) … went 3-for-4 from the charity strip and added two boards at Houston (1/13) … notched three rebounds in UConn debut at DePaul (12/8).
As a Sophomore (2016-17): Redshirt season per NCAA transfer rules.
As a Freshman at Kentucky (2015-16): Appeared in 33 games with 14 starts … averaged 5.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game … tallied 11 boards vs. UNC Asheville (3/19) … posted 12 points vs. Florida (3/4) … notched 14 points and nine rebounds at South Carolina (2/4) … had 10 rebounds vs. South Carolina (1/14) … scored 10 points at Arizona State (11/15) … made collegiate debut vs. Rice (11/13).
USA Basketball: Earned a spot on the 2014 Women’s U18 National Team trials roster.
Before College: Rated as the No. 2 power forward by All-Star Girls Report coming out of high school and the ninth-best player in the country by ESPN.com ... averaged 12.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game in helping lead Blair Academy to a 19-3 finish ... named 2014 All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League First Team and was second-team NJ Prep A All-State selection … helped the Buccaneers to three Mid- Atlantic Prep League Championships and a 62-8 overall record ... elected vice chair of Blair Academy's student government council as a junior and was a representative on the student council as a sophomore

Assuming she is healthy this season what is her role with this team?

Her role this year? Energy, board crasher, defense and experience off the bench.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I still think Batouly has a real shot to start or play major minutes at C! The Huskies need a real physical presence under the boards and except for Irwin there is no real banger (ONO is an unknown talent at this time).
She can be a beast on the boards and has about a 12' shot as well as cleaning up the misses around the basket!
I look forward to watching her have a healthy season!

 

[Fightin Choke]

The Bio from Uconnhuskies.com Women's site posts the following:

As a Redshirt Sophomore (2017-18): Appeared in 23 games, averaging 4.8 minutes per game … tallied eight points, three rebounds and two steals vs. Saint Francis (3/17) … grabbed four rebounds, two assists and a block vs. Cincinnati (3/5) … posted eight points on 3-for-4 shooting with three assists and three rebounds vs. Temple (2/18) … scored four points vs. Tulane (1/27) … went 3-for-4 from the charity strip and added two boards at Houston (1/13) … notched three rebounds in UConn debut at DePaul (12/8).
As a Sophomore (2016-17): Redshirt season per NCAA transfer rules.
As a Freshman at Kentucky (2015-16): Appeared in 33 games with 14 starts … averaged 5.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game … tallied 11 boards vs. UNC Asheville (3/19) … posted 12 points vs. Florida (3/4) … notched 14 points and nine rebounds at South Carolina (2/4) … had 10 rebounds vs. South Carolina (1/14) … scored 10 points at Arizona State (11/15) … made collegiate debut vs. Rice (11/13).
USA Basketball: Earned a spot on the 2014 Women’s U18 National Team trials roster.
Before College: Rated as the No. 2 power forward by All-Star Girls Report coming out of high school and the ninth-best player in the country by ESPN.com ... averaged 12.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game in helping lead Blair Academy to a 19-3 finish ... named 2014 All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League First Team and was second-team NJ Prep A All-State selection … helped the Buccaneers to three Mid- Atlantic Prep League Championships and a 62-8 overall record ... elected vice chair of Blair Academy's student government council as a junior and was a representative on the student council as a sophomore

Assuming she is healthy this season what is her role with this team?

You are correct that the UConn Bio says that Batouly was the 9th rated player on ESPN.com, but she was actually the 9th rated post, behind Kristine Anigwe, Kalani Brown, Beatrice Mompremier, Kelly Koshuta, Teaira McCowan, Deja Strother, Jordan Moore, and Chen Yue. Batouly was actually the 53rd rated player on ESPN. Of course she proved to be under-ranked based on her performance at Kentucky her freshman year. If she is not hampered by injuries this season, she could be a beast inside.

 

[HuskylnSC]

Bats will be a solid blue collar glue player providing physical defense, vicious rebounding (10 rpg) and surprising offensive spurts.

 

[southofnorth]

If she’s better at playing under control then she could easily be a starter. There were times last season where she would play too aggressively or too quick and she would pick up a silly foul or commit a turnover. That’s the kind of thing that can’t happen if she wants to play major minutes.

 

[CTrefugee]

If she’s better at playing under control then she could easily be a starter. There were times last season where she would play too aggressively or too quick and she would pick up a silly foul or commit a turnover. That’s the kind of thing that can’t happen if she wants to play major minutes.

Hopefully the fouls are just from the adrenaline rush of trying to impress in limited minutes. If she becomes a "regular" this might not be a problem.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I still think Batouly has a real shot to start or play major minutes at C! The Huskies need a real physical presence under the boards and except for Irwin there is no real banger (ONO is an unknown talent at this time).
She can be a beast on the boards and has about a 12' shot as well as cleaning up the misses around the basket!
I look forward to watching her have a healthy season!

I know you've been a supporter of Touly's abilities, when healthy, it is apparent from the BIO Uconn Coaches saw a Banger, Rebounder and with Student Government a Leader. I hope she is healthy she is really needed.

 

[BroadwayVa]

If she’s better at playing under control then she could easily be a starter. There were times last season where she would play too aggressively or too quick and she would pick up a silly foul or commit a turnover. That’s the kind of thing that can’t happen if she wants to play major minutes.

All of that which you state is true I saw the same thing. NOT that she requires defense, however, it was apparent all year she was less than physically recovered; her mobility was very limited. Also, she was trying too hard to show she belongs. Everything about Touly depends upon her being healthy.

 

[Charliebball]

I sure hope she's somewhat back to her old self as she will be truly needed............

 

[WNBA 09]

All of that which you state is true I saw the same thing. NOT that she requires defense, however, it was apparent all year she was less than physically recovered; her mobility was very limited. Also, she was trying too hard to show she belongs. Everything about Touly depends upon her being healthy.

She sounds like Brittany Hunter .

 

[CocoHusky]

Upon her transfer from Kentucky @UcMiami and I had a similar discussion regarding Batouly's role at UCONN. IMO she was always going to be a role player at UCONN capable of giving the team some physical defensive mostly minutes in the post. That was two full season ago. Unfortunately unless she can regain the explosiveness (see picture below) she showed at Kentucky I don't even see that role in her future or present at UCONN. She will likely not start for UCONN this season. If she is not the first post or forward player off the bench this season it will be a very bad sign for her remaining years of eligibility.

 

[MikeBlue]

Limited minutes. Limited contribution. She offers fouls and aggressiveness, but Geno, IMHO, would rather ride those he trusts to keep the flow than chance upsetting the rhythm in competitive games. Just look back at Kiah, Stewie, Buck, etc., when he felt he couldn't rely on them he refused to use them in those moments.
Of course, if we're not talking about those games then she will get some time and appear to be a contributor. This is a heavy guard oriented offense this year, more than others in recent past. I think Olivia gets lion share of bench minutes for post oriented players. Go Huskies!

 

[BroadwayVa]

Upon her transfer from Kentucky @UcMiami and I had a similar discussion regarding Batouly's role at UCONN. IMO she was always going to be a role player at UCONN capable of giving the team some physical defensive mostly minutes in the post. That was two full season ago. Unfortunately unless she can regain the explosiveness (see picture below) she showed at Kentucky I don't even see that role in her future or present at UCONN. She will likely not start for UCONN this season. If she is not the first post or forward player off the bench this season it will be a very bad sign for her remaining years of eligibility.
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I fully agree with your final sentence. I'm not in your category or others with knowledge of Touly previous to Uconn . Her future is in her hands, Gods hands and Geno's hands. Charlieball too is correct--Uconn needs another rebounder and strong banger under the boards.

 

[BroadwayVa]

She sounds like Brittany Hunter .

Brittany Hunter, a previous transfer from Duke, was unique in Women's BB. Extremely talented and extremely physically limited and Geno saw and got excellent minutes from Ms Hunter minutes she dictated when she would play--unique in the annals of Uconn Womens BB a player saying when she would practice and when she would play--she was worth the exchange Geno and Uconn got. We could only imagine what a Healthy Brittany would have been.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Brittany Hunter, a previous transfer from Duke, was unique in Women's BB. Extremely talented and extremely physically limited and Geno saw and got excellent minutes from Ms Hunter minutes she dictated when she would play--unique in the annals of Uconn Womens BB a player saying when she would practice and when she would play--she was worth the exchange Geno and Uconn got. We could only imagine what a Healthy Brittany would have been.

A healthy Brittany Hunter was something like a cross between Candace Parker and Tina Charles. She could have been a megastar.

 

[Carnac]

The Bio from Uconnhuskies.com Women's site posts the following:

As a Redshirt Sophomore (2017-18): Appeared in 23 games, averaging 4.8 minutes per game … tallied eight points, three rebounds and two steals vs. Saint Francis (3/17) … grabbed four rebounds, two assists and a block vs. Cincinnati (3/5) … posted eight points on 3-for-4 shooting with three assists and three rebounds vs. Temple (2/18) … scored four points vs. Tulane (1/27) … went 3-for-4 from the charity strip and added two boards at Houston (1/13) … notched three rebounds in UConn debut at DePaul (12/8).
As a Sophomore (2016-17): Redshirt season per NCAA transfer rules.
As a Freshman at Kentucky (2015-16): Appeared in 33 games with 14 starts … averaged 5.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game … tallied 11 boards vs. UNC Asheville (3/19) … posted 12 points vs. Florida (3/4) … notched 14 points and nine rebounds at South Carolina (2/4) … had 10 rebounds vs. South Carolina (1/14) … scored 10 points at Arizona State (11/15) … made collegiate debut vs. Rice (11/13).
USA Basketball: Earned a spot on the 2014 Women’s U18 National Team trials roster.
Before College: Rated as the No. 2 power forward by All-Star Girls Report coming out of high school and the ninth-best player in the country by ESPN.com ... averaged 12.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game in helping lead Blair Academy to a 19-3 finish ... named 2014 All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League First Team and was second-team NJ Prep A All-State selection … helped the Buccaneers to three Mid- Atlantic Prep League Championships and a 62-8 overall record ... elected vice chair of Blair Academy's student government council as a junior and was a representative on the student council as a sophomore

Assuming she is healthy this season what is her role with this team?

This will be her 3rd year in the program. If she's not ready now as Geno says (by the end of their 2nd year), she never will. She spent last year nursing injuries, and was never 100 % healthy, and could not really be counted on to contribute until late in the 2nd half of the season. I read here, or heard in a sound bite that she is still not 100%. She's still nursing a minor injury or two. We'll see exactly where she's at once the season starts. Like Elvis said.............."It's now or never". I think if we ever get to see her injury free, we'll be impressed. I'm hoping the only thing that holds her back (if anything) is injury.

I agree with the general consensus here that Camara has the potential to be a BIG time player for UConn. How much she plays depends on the starters cardio level, their ability to stay out of foul trouble, how well she blends into the starting unit's chemistry and flow, and of course her health. Her size (6-2), experience (4th year in college), maturity (she turns 22 this Friday - Nov 2) will certainly be needed against Baylor's 6-7 post Kalani Brown, and Notre Dame's AA 6-3 post Brianna Turner. There will be other large post players the Huskies will see this season, but these two are the most dominant and experienced.

 

[JustinesGuy]

She’s starts and plays solid basketball.
Ono is not ready from day one.
Lock it up.

 

[MikeBlue]

Anybody pay attention to the practice video/photos and notice how Kyla not Batouly was working with the first (blue) team? Any thoughts?

 

[ctkaiser]

I agree with others who state if she hasn't had an impact yet it's not likely to happen. It appears also that she has not fully recovered from her injury over the past season.

 

[Carnac]

She’s starts and plays solid basketball.
Ono is not ready from day one.
Lock it up.

I think either Camara or Williams starts. From the way Geno has been praising Christyn lately, and from all of the accolades she's received from all 3 starters, If I had to bet, I'd bet on Williams. From all reports I've read here in the yard, she's holding her own in practice. She's impressing everyone. Which one starts depends on how Geno wants to go, BIG or small. I think they'll both get lots of minutes.

 

[Carnac]

Anybody pay attention to the practice video/photos and notice how Kyla not Batouly was working with the first (blue) team? Any thoughts?

Believe what your eyes tell you. We'll know for sure in 8 days. I think the 5 starters in the Vanguard game will be the same 5 that start the season against Ohio State a week later. Right now, all I know is what I'm reading here in the Boneyard.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think Batouly will be a utility player. The question is how productive? She could be the #1 or #2 bench player, or possibly the #4 bench player. I'd like to see her get regular PT. She needs to play under control and avoid cheap fouls.

 

[j66kicker]

I think either Camara or Williams starts. From the way Geno has been praising Christyn lately, and from all of the accolades she's received from all 3 starters, If I had to bet, I'd bet on Williams. From all reports I've read here in the yard, she's holding her own in practice. She's impressing everyone. Which one starts depends on how Geno wants to go, BIG or small. I think they'll both get lots of minutes.

Camara & Williams play way different positions. I don’t think they’re competing with each other for playing time any more than Crystal and Azurá were last year at this time (popular BY theory back then). Only caveat there is Geno’s “big or small” decision may be made by who “gets it,” and who is fearless and can flat-out ball. I predict Williams will be firmly entrenched in the starting lineup by mid-December.

 

[Carnac]

I think Batouly will be a utility player. The question is how productive? She could be the #1 or #2 bench player, or possibly the #4 bench player. I'd like to see her get regular PT. She needs to play under control and avoid cheap fouls.

Milford, until I hear different, I'm going to assume she knows the plays/system and is ready to contribute (start) BIG time. I really think injuries will play a MAJOR part in how much she plays the first week or two of the season.

If she's not running with the starting unit right now in practice, she won't start. She must run with the starters to develop some semblance of chemistry and timing.

She's been dealing with various injuries for the last two years. She had the entire summer to rest, recuperate and work with team therapists and trainers and she's still not ready. So who's to know if/when she will be ready to play?

Who's to say the starting until won't see a change come mid January? Remember, that’s when Lou became a starter her freshman year.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Hopefully the fouls are just from the adrenaline rush of trying to impress in limited minutes. If she becomes a "regular" this might not be a problem.

CT refugee- - - -I agree with you! Batouly must have felt after all the time she lost to the knee injury that she had to show more to earn more playing time and she was too hyper most of the time! If she's healthy she can play relaxed and let the game come to her letting her real talent show! I really feel that she has to be given a real chance to succeed because she'll really be needed down in February, March, and April!

 

[HopJim]

This will be her 3rd year in the program. If she's not ready now as Geno says (by the end of their 2nd year), she never will. She spent last year nursing injuries, and was never 100 % healthy, and could not really be counted on to contribute until late in the 2nd half of the season. I read here, or heard in a sound bite that she is still not 100%. She's still nursing a minor injury or two. We'll see exactly where she's at once the season starts. Like Elvis said...."It's now or never". I think if we ever get to see her injury free, we'll be impressed. I'm hoping the only thing that holds her back (if anything) is injury.

Not sure I agree with the "now of never" statements. This was not an attitude or skill issue - purely injury related. She could very well need several more months to heal. Will be happy if she can contribute by the 2nd half of season. Camara has skills unique to the current team and even as a sub could play critical minutes in key games.

 

[BroadwayVa]

This will be her 3rd year in the program. If she's not ready now as Geno says (by the end of their 2nd year), she never will. She spent last year nursing injuries, and was never 100 % healthy, and could not really be counted on to contribute until late in the 2nd half of the season. I read here, or heard in a sound bite that she is still not 100%. She's still nursing a minor injury or two. We'll see exactly where she's at once the season starts. Like Elvis said...."It's now or never". I think if we ever get to see her injury free, we'll be impressed. I'm hoping the only thing that holds her back (if anything) is injury.

I just stumbled across 2018 First Night on Roku ESPN and I saw a couple of glimpses of 32/Batouly and she seemed pretty limber. Katie Lou was amazing. CW and Gordon tried too hard to impress--but otherwise were good. A good program (?) to watch ;boring with moments to make it worth watching.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I think either Camara or Williams starts. From the way Geno has been praising Christyn lately, and from all of the accolades she's received from all 3 starters, If I had to bet, I'd bet on Williams. From all reports I've read here in the yard, she's holding her own in practice. She's impressing everyone. Which one starts depends on how Geno wants to go, BIG or small. I think they'll both get lots of minutes.

Listening and reading to nearly all being said about Chrystn Williams (13), if only 1/2 true she shall start. I know that a leap of faith because Geno only started Super Stars and Frosh usually (ala Megan and Gordon) sit a lot and have a hard first year.
The sad fact we all know: Geno needs (13) to be everything we hope she may be. Even if ONO can't put the ball "through" on a dunk. (First Night dunk contest)
Having said that; Geno needs ONO and Batouly to be all that some have written about them also.

If Irwin is running with the big dogs in practice, as inferred above in this thread, he may think she is big enough, strong enough, experienced enough to give him some error free minutes--again another hope.