I just think that she struggled because of the style Brazil played. Other games, her shooting was on par. In the games against Brazil, she struggled. As for the next level, I think she will be okay.
When half her free throws are getting more side of the back board than the actual rim, there’s a major problem… I guess she can coast on NIL but offensively she won’t survive in the wnba if she doesn’t commit to getting better in the gym in the next two years. I don’t blame her for cashing in but it absolutely hurt her development this summer and she was ill prepared and out of shape. Absolutely no way should she declare after next season. She isn’t fixing all those flaws in one season especially when she has spent most this summer not even in gym.
ESPN referred to Nika as a sophomore a few times.
While Raven did not attempt but about 5 three point shots the entire tourney, she made a decent number of mid-range jumpers and more importantly, ran the team as a true point guard better than anyone else they took to Mexico. She has proven effective as a point guard against great competition, and more importantly is a dog on defense and a game changer in transition as Uconn and many others learned last year. She also does the best job of getting balls into the big as any guard in the country. With Carodozo playing the way she did and the added shooters like Pao Pao, Bree Hall getting more minutes and Tessa Johnson and Fulwilley, South Carolina will be stout. As far as defense, even before the freshies of the last three years, Dawn has always fielded a stout defense, even when undermanned as they were Aja's senior year. I think Tenn and LSU will still struggle against them, especially with Cardoza anchoring the middle and the addition of 6-6 Walker to go along with the freakishly athletic Ashlyn Watkins. I suspect South Carolina is not going anywhere.