Dawn Staley Gives Huge Shoutout to Kiah Stokes

[TCC Kid]

As I said, I was not a UConn fan nor did I follow the team when she was there, so you'll have to sell me about her. I know who she is, but I'm like Sergeant Schlutz on Hogan's Heroes when it come to Charde, I know nothing about her. I understand she had some "challenges" during her time there.

UConn WBB fell in my lap. I saw them on TV during the tournament in March of 2008 (the month/year I retired) and fell in love with then. I'm on the west coast. We don't get any news or press about WCBB teams on the east coast. We've got plenty of teams locally and in the PAC 10 (then) that's on the evening news to follow. I liked their style and the way they played. I didn't have time to watch TV back then.

If I said anything obnoxious, please excuse my poor choice of words, if I did that. Believe this--you and 3 or 4 others are those I read because you are the good guys and know your basketball. Well, I'm the SGT Schutz of everything else. I'm still trying to learn how to live in this mystery of a world.
Charde, was a mystery. She lived in a car in high school, she while in Connecticut, had a group of women "grandmothers" who cared for her, she lacked very much except in talent. She frustrated fans and Geno. Her potential was exceptional. Fans supported her. Enigma is an excellent definition of her at Uconn. She was POINT on the full court press, she was quick and when she didn't travel, she scored.

 

[TCC Kid]

I was a huge supporter. UConn was stronger inside with her in the game. But her lack of offense was no illusion. And it wasn't that she was a bad shooter, rather she just didn't shoot much. I wouldn't be surprised if she had more blocked shots than fg attempts in many games. But I didn't care. UConn had scorers up the wazoo but lacked granite blocks. My memories of her are either of her blocking a shot (often without leaving her feet) and then coolly running down the court like it was nothing or her disappearing into a mass of opposing jerseys under the basket and then emerging with the ball.


Brady is the closest Geno has come to signing a Stokes-type body and athleticism. Just one more thing for me to look forward to.

Kiah, I was a fan of hers. She, if she chose to do so, could score. She was on a team with scorers. I have never seen a Uconn player that was as good at goal defense. The nemesis of the pesky driving guards that plagued Uconn for years, were stopped with Kiah in the game. She was great blocking ( perfect timing), I can't think of anything about Kiah I didn't like. Reading her fathers worlds about her, I liked him too. If she is exceptional in anything in life she can point to his--Never give in attitude. If Brady is 1/2 that good, Uconn has a bright future.