DeShields leaving UT, going professional

[Shades]

Her decision tags her with a resume that will follow her for the rest of her life, as a player who quit on her team, not once but twice.

Delle Donne is up to three: UConn, Chicago Sky, and a Chinese team (lasted all of 5 minutes). People still seem to love her.

I can't imagine that her future teammates overseas or in the WNBA will be particularly thrilled at the prospect of playing with her. What event will lead DD to quit on them?

Her home team would be Atlanta. Is she a homebody or does she want an easy championship? I wouldn't necessarily brand her at this point. She had tough situations in both UNC (beleaguered school... who didn't leave UNC?) and Tennessee (bad coach), and she had every right to leave for the draft early. She's earned her degree. Basketball will obviously be her profession. She has a similar flowchart to ex-UNC teammate Allisha Gray, who instead branched off into a championship team in SC, and now has moved on to become the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year in the WNBA. There doesn't seem to be a cloud over her head. Kaela Davis has a similar flowchart. GT->SC->WNBA. Davis is in second place for WNBA ROY. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if DeShields' decision at this point was at least partially influenced by the success of Gray and Davis in the WNBA... all very similar types of players. DeShields has been spotted attending WNBA games. I have no clue why DeShields didn't declare for the 2017 draft. Most WNBA enthusiasts were very surprised when she didn't. I think DeShields will be okay at the next level.

It will be interesting to see where DD ends up going in next spring's WNBA draft. Teams may well view her as poison. Any GM or HC that considers drafting DD will have to seriously consider her potential negative impact on the team and fan base. Consider two players with similar athletic ability, DD or Gabby Williams. Who would you rather have on your team?

Williams needs to show her perimeter abilities as a senior. But yeah, I agree that Williams is a better prospect, but Deshields will be right up there with her.... I'm guessing #5-#6 at this point.

 

[Shades]

I don't know. Just off the top of my head I have Wilson, Gabby, Mitchell, Turner (if healthy), Canada, Billings and possibly Vivians, Russell & Nared going ahead of DD. I'm sure I've left out others.

McGraw is gonna want a full year of a healthy Turner over a half a year of Turner coming off an ACL. She's gonna be under heavy pressure to redshirt. Vivians? Yikes. Maybe Russell if she has a great year, but that's a big maybe. Those are some nice first round names you've listed on the bottom half of your list, but I don't see them ahead of DeShields.

 

[oldude]

McGraw is gonna want a full year of a healthy Turner over a half a year of Turner coming off an ACL. She's gonna be under heavy pressure to redshirt. Vivians? Yikes. Maybe Russell if she has a great year, but that's a big maybe. Those are some nice first round names you've listed on the bottom half of your list, but I don't see them ahead of DeShields.

No question that DD has 1st round talent, and perhaps top 5, but there is a very real question for any GM if you want the baggage that accompanies that talent.

CajunHusky suggested Nurse, who clearly doesn't have the same physical talent ahead of DD. But if you're a GM concerned with building a team, as well as keeping your job, maybe you consider a great leader, tough defender and NCAA record holder for 3 pointers in the Big Dance ahead of a potential problem.

 

[bizarro aj]

Quitters never prosper!

 

[Go/huskies]

Trying to be as objective as possible:

At the time of her recruitment, Pat was dealing with the Alzheimer's issue and that may have caused DD to take a serious pause. So what does she do? Becomes instrumental in assembling one terrific freshman class at UNC - her, Mavunga, Gray, and Washington. Then she promptly bails on her teammates after 1 year, leaving them flying in the wind. Ultimately all of them left UNC, but she went to Tennessee, where supposedly her heart always was.

Almost immediately after her decision to transfer to Tenn, Cooper announces she's going there - a top 20 kid who many Tenn fans thought was a top 5 kid, and was great friends with DD.

She has flashes of brilliance while at Tenn, punctuated by lazy and disinterested play on the court. Her attitude and demeanor was not one of a hard working kid trying to do her best, but rather a surly, spoiled kid who could play any damn way she choose since the coaches would never hold her accountable. I think it was mostly that attitude over the past 2 years that helped cause people to sour even more on her. Add to it a WAY overly involved father who publicly called out Holly on twitter after a loss saying something like "of course you are going to lose when you don't put your best player in the game".

LVol fans who claimed to "know" the real DD said she was a wonderful person. I don't know about that. Breanna Stewart, twice the player DD was in college, signed her LOI on the hood of her car. She's a sweetheart to her core. THAT is a wonderful person and UConn is chock full of kids like that.

Anyway flash forward to this year and Cooper, the PG of the future, leaves the team apparently after instigating a fight with Jaime Nared.

Meanwhile, instead of choosing to leave and enter the draft, DD publicly comes out saying she's committed to her senior year and decides to stay in college (also says she wants to mentor the great freshman class Holly recruited). Not 2 months later, she chooses to leave school for a "professional career". Where - on Mars? She can't enter the WNBA now but I suppose she could go play in China or Turkey or some other country after the WNBA season is up... If that was ALL she did, it might not make so many people turn on her, but she has a history of being a selfish person and player as evidenced by all her actions over the years. If I had to guess, I'd say that's mostly why people aren't sympathetic to her.

1 Washington was going to a ACC school regardless, she has ties to North Carolina and was really hoping for a ND offer.

2 what's wrong with kids wanting to play together? Isn't Lexi trying to get her best friend Williams on the Uconn team?

3 I've seen diamond on the court clapping and cheering her teammates on, yes she a bit of a ball hong but some of the best players in the world don't always trust there teammates.

4 oh no according to you Megan Walker isn't a good person?

5 there's 2 sides to ever story. I'm sure teammates don't always get along.

6 I got nothing.

 

[Alydar]

Williams needs to show her perimeter abilities as a senior. But yeah, I agree that Williams is a better prospect, but Deshields will be right up there with her.... I'm guessing #5-#6 at this point.

Williams has already shown a very good mid-range shot and while she hasn't shown a 3 pt game DeShields has shown that she hasn't one. Williams is a better inside scorer and is miles ahead of DeShields as a defender and rebounder, to say nothing about their attitudes. Any GM who sees these two as close is blind.

 

[EricSD]

1 Washington was going to a ACC school regardless, she has ties to North Carolina and was really hoping for a ND offer.

2 what's wrong with kids wanting to play together? Isn't Lexi trying to get her best friend Williams on the UConn team?

3 I've seen diamond on the court clapping and cheering her teammates on, yes she a bit of a ball hong but some of the best players in the world don't always trust there teammates.

4 oh no according to you Megan Walker isn't a good person?

5 there's 2 sides to ever story. I'm sure teammates don't always get along.

6 I got nothing.

You, of course, are welcome to be a fan of DD, but you missed my point entirely. I was merely trying to point out some of the reasons people seemed sour on her, since several posters asked. By the way, immediately after my post a LVol fan said s/he basically agreed with everything I said.

Regarding #2, Where did I say there was anything wrong with kids wanting to play together? I was pointing out that not only did DD orchestrate the quartet to UNC, but then promptly left after 1 year at UNC. I've yet to see ANY UCONN player do that. Ever.

And please don't put words into my mouth (your "nugget" at #4). When you hear me say something negative about Megan, or any other UCONN player (or ANY WCBB player for that matter), then feel free to have at it, but that comment in particular was just silly.

 

[willtalk]

They didnt really underachieve that season... if the regional final was anywhere other than Stanford's home court.... they most likely would have made the final 4. Not that I was complaining

If you read my post carefully, I never implied that the team underachieved. I stated they underachieved in respect to DD expectations. She probably expected to be able to make the final four no matter what the circumstance. She might have also been influenced by the release of " that " assistant coach. It just appeared that the scenario she had originally planned wasn't going to happen in her eyes.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

"She leaves as she was, and as she came." Comment of a Lady Vol fan. Brevity is the soul of wit.

 

[DefenseBB]

I don't know. Just off the top of my head I have Wilson, Gabby, Mitchell, Turner (if healthy), Canada, Billings and possibly Vivians, Russell & Nared going ahead of DD. I'm sure I've left out others.

Oldude, I must respectfully disagree your assessment. We all know the NBA and WNBA draft on upside and other than Wilson, DD has the most upside than the others. Gabby is an absolute tweener- her outside shot is suspect and her size in not truly a post; Mitchell has no defense, has shown no willingness or skill to pass; Turner is unknown (and is the only other real upside talent listed); I would ask for you to take a deep breath, let go of the DD angst, and then realistically assess Canada (very nice but smaller and not sure she can create her own shot), Billings- very raw and requires a lot of work; as for the other 3 you list- again, your angst is clouding your skill assessment. Someone else mentioned Nurse and while we see all the intangibles she brings, no WNBA executive would select Kia over DD based on "games changer potential".
My own take on this situation is 2 major points:
1. Something is missing on this story; there appears to be significantly more drama behind the scenes that will eventually come out ( it always does).
2. While players have individual will, the way the program has performed on the court, in the press conferences after games and now the rumored/known prior acts by Cooper simply show a lack of control by CHW. Would anyone expect to see any of this play out at UConn, ND, Stanford, Oregon, Oregon State or DePaul (to name a few)? There are very specific expectations and ramifications that would be enforced.

I get it, DD is a very polarizing player due to her skills and our expectations on those skills.
Respectfully submitted.

 

[Shades]

Maybe DeShields found out she'd have to continue taking classes even though she graduated.

 

[triaddukefan]

The real question is this...... since Deshields has moved on from WCBB..... who rises to the #1 spot in the BY WCBB Player bash rankings

 

[topogigio]

Ironic that an earlier article detailed Holly's attempt to make this year's team, well...more "teamlike". Me thinks DD didn't take kindly to the team not revolving around her. I'm confident this will make the Vols a much better team.

 

[Carnac]

Haven't read anything but the quote by Fleser. If that's all there is, Ms. Warlick sounds pretty defensive.

Minimal statement of the departure. No well wishing, or we'll miss her, or anything about her contribution.

At greater length, and I paraphrase: "We aren't going to hell; we'll be fine I tell ya."

I'd be interested to hear ya girl Margo's take on this latest revelation, as she bleeds orange and is a die-hard LV fan.

 

[RoyDodger]

I've ridiculed DD's play over the past couple of years as much as anyone has. But at times she was electrifying, and, since their playoff run in Spring 2016, overall she's been better than she's been bad. Sure, she might have been a toxic influence on the fab four frosh. But she might have grown up a bit and taken the burden of senior leadership. It would have been good for everyone. Now, she'll surely be an undisciplined pro, getting pretty fair money because she's a crowd-pleaser. But who would want her on an Olympic team or anywhere where team play is demanded? Really sad to waste such natural talent.

As to it being a near-miss disaster if she had chosen UConn, I would very much have liked to have seen that: wonder if the program would have shaped her or whether she would have transferred out....

Let's see, she announced upon committing to UNC that she was happy going there because she was going to play the game her way. Then she leaves UNC after one year, and now leaves UT after three years (one sitting out) and after announcing that she was going to play next year to provide guidance to the freshmen. Can you even conceive of this player getting along with Geno Auriemma or lasting at UConn?

 

[Vowelguy]

I am consistently impressed with the number of psychotherapists, psychologists, and mind readers that post on this board.

 

[triaddukefan]

I am consistently impressed with the number of psychotherapists, psychologists, and mind readers that post on this board.

We need less of those.... more chefs and food critics

 

[Kaizen]

no WNBA executive would select Kia over DD based on "games changer potential".
.

no WNBA executive will take a player who has quitted 2 schools in her 4 years college period.

 

[oldude]

Oldude, I must respectfully disagree your assessment. We all know the NBA and WNBA draft on upside and other than Wilson, DD has the most upside than the others. Gabby is an absolute tweener- her outside shot is suspect and her size in not truly a post; Mitchell has no defense, has shown no willingness or skill to pass; Turner is unknown (and is the only other real upside talent listed); I would ask for you to take a deep breath, let go of the DD angst, and then realistically assess Canada (very nice but smaller and not sure she can create her own shot), Billings- very raw and requires a lot of work; as for the other 3 you list- again, your angst is clouding your skill assessment. Someone else mentioned Nurse and while we see all the intangibles she brings, no WNBA executive would select Kia over DD based on "games changer potential".
My own take on this situation is 2 major points:
1. Something is missing on this story; there appears to be significantly more drama behind the scenes that will eventually come out ( it always does).
2. While players have individual will, the way the program has performed on the court, in the press conferences after games and now the rumored/known prior acts by Cooper simply show a lack of control by CHW. Would anyone expect to see any of this play out at UConn, ND, Stanford, Oregon, Oregon State or DePaul (to name a few)? There are very specific expectations and ramifications that would be enforced.

I get it, DD is a very polarizing player due to her skills and our expectations on those skills.
Respectfully submitted.

I have no doubt that some WNBA GM & HC will pull the trigger and draft DD either in the 1st or 2nd round, tantalized by the skill set and convinced that their organization can turn her into a consistent performer and team player. That's why GM's and HC's lose their jobs.

Thinking about where DD could end up, I'd like to see her with Maya and the Lynx. Maya would be in her face in a heartbeat if she pulled any of the nonsense she got away with in college, probably forcing her to suit up in the parking lot until she learned to be part of the team.

 

[Shades]

no WNBA executive will take a player who has quitted 2 schools in her 4 years college period.

Greg Bibb took two in the first round for Dallas.

 

[oldude]

Oldude, I must respectfully disagree your assessment. We all know the NBA and WNBA draft on upside and other than Wilson, DD has the most upside than the others. Gabby is an absolute tweener- her outside shot is suspect and her size in not truly a post; Mitchell has no defense, has shown no willingness or skill to pass; Turner is unknown (and is the only other real upside talent listed); I would ask for you to take a deep breath, let go of the DD angst, and then realistically assess Canada (very nice but smaller and not sure she can create her own shot), Billings- very raw and requires a lot of work; as for the other 3 you list- again, your angst is clouding your skill assessment. Someone else mentioned Nurse and while we see all the intangibles she brings, no WNBA executive would select Kia over DD based on "games changer potential".
My own take on this situation is 2 major points:
1. Something is missing on this story; there appears to be significantly more drama behind the scenes that will eventually come out ( it always does).
2. While players have individual will, the way the program has performed on the court, in the press conferences after games and now the rumored/known prior acts by Cooper simply show a lack of control by CHW. Would anyone expect to see any of this play out at UConn, ND, Stanford, Oregon, Oregon State or DePaul (to name a few)? There are very specific expectations and ramifications that would be enforced.

I get it, DD is a very polarizing player due to her skills and our expectations on those skills.
Respectfully submitted.

One other point. Gabby will be a guard in the pros. She is a shutdown defender with incredible athleticism who will continue to get better in all facets of the game. Any GM that takes DD ahead of Gabby should be fired on the spot. Mark my word, Gabby will be the 2nd player drafted after Wilson in next year's draft.

 

[Carnac]

I'm sure everyone has noticed the avatar change. No more "Carnac the great". I would have changed my handle too, but the system would not allow me to. I'm not in the prediction business anymore. I had fun with it for a while, but I got tired of it, and moved on.

But I am going to stick my chest out this one last time and say I told you so. I said emphatically way back on January 19, (as well on other occasions) that Diamond DeShields was NOT coming back next year. I publicly (here in the yard) dined on a little crow after she made her announcement that she was in fact coming back for her senior year. No one was more surprised about that decision that me. Everything (crystal ball, Ouija board, tarot cards, rabbit feet, envelopes, etc. you name it) that I had at my disposal at that time said she was not coming back.

I also predicted before the season began that no team would go undefeated last season. I was correct on that one too. However I would give anything to have been wrong on that one. I didn't see UConn getting to 36-0 back in September. I was heart broken that we lost, and by the way we lost. Here is that post from January below:


Massengill is 2018 - DD will definitely be gone by then.

The answer: "Gone to the WNBA. The question.Where will Diamond DeShields be next year?

My first real "step way out there on a limb prediction" of the season. Next year, color her gone!

Carnac, Jan 19, 2017Report
#25+ QuoteReply

 

[triaddukefan]

One other point. Gabby will be a guard in the pros. She is a shutdown defender with incredible athleticism who will continue to get better in all facets of the game. Any GM that takes DD ahead of Gabby should be fired on the spot. Mark my word, Gabby will be the 2nd player drafted after Wilson in next year's draft.

Marked,

How to take a screenshot in Windows
https://www.take-a-screenshot.org/windows.html
Ok.... see you next April


if G Williams is in fact the #2 pick....... we wont bring this convo up

 

[Carnac]

I said this all along from the moment she transferred to Tennessee. I knew she would not finish her last year and would go pro instead. No surprise for me...here... The surprise was...up to this point she had said she was coming back...now, that declaration threw me for a loop. And, BAM! Here we are, things are as expected.

Can't wait to see Margo's next video... lol

Ditto.

 

[Shades]

The question.Where will Diamond DeShields be next year?

ATL is looking like a #7 - #8 ranked team, so that would work out great if DeShields is the #5 - #6 pick.

 

[easttexastrash]

The hatred for DD is one of the most consistent things about some of the posters here.

DD is going to be an incredible pro. And as good as Williams is, there is no chance at all that any WNBA executive is going to take her over DD. Williams relies more on her athletic ability than her basketball skill. DD has far superior basketball skill and her game will translate much better to the pro game. Maybe my opinion will change after watching Williams play a full season at the 3 position, but like Nina Davis has proven, you can't make your mark in the WNBA as a 5-11 post player.

 

[JS]

I publicly (here in the yard) dined on a little crow after she made her announcement that she was in fact coming back for her senior year.

So now we have a belated victory lap followed by a crow regurgitation.

And the fans go wild.

 

[Carnac]

Here's one of the Tennessee Lady Vol's biggest fans, Margo Anderson (ya girl Margo) and her latest 10 minute podcast.
No mention of DD's departure in this one. I'm sure a podcast detailing her take on DD leaving will be forth coming soon.

[LINK]

 

[Carnac]

So now we have a belated victory lap followed by a crow regurgitation.

And the fans go wild.

In a word...............Yes.

 

[msf22b]

For me the most interesting aspect of this multi-cornered thread is where this leaves UTenn?

With two, potentially first-class and experienced starters, some moderate to underachieving returnees and a fine freshman class.

And oh, yes; a seemingly overwhelmed and under-achieving coach who was Peter Principled into a position that she neither coveted nor qualified for.

I predict a disastrous season and a call to the bull pen by December.

Becky, are you ready for the opportunity of a lifetime?