Evina -WNBA? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Evina -WNBA?

hoopsfan22 said:
If she comes back she will have her starting spot. As will CW and ONO. Starting five is essentially the same next year. Maybe Geno plays around with Nika's spot a bit, but don't expect big changes seven months from now.
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nothing against EW but Fudd is already a better player and will be starting from day one..........she's the missing link that will give UConn the consistent scoring they need to make it to the finals next season......
 
MuchoDogYears said:
I would not hand Nelson-Ododa a starting spot. Doesn’t deserve one. Hasn’t played as a post needs to. Is always a minus in every big game. The only thing we can count on from Olivia is that she will blow layups.
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Thought this was a thread about Evina, but since you brought this up, overreacting re:ONO? Without her, who would guard Boston, Baylor bigs, etc.-all teams we beat. Particularly against the teams with 2 strong bigs, who would guard them next year? Truely a horrid game on offense last night but was solid on defense and rebounding. Takes pressure off Edwards. Take a deep breath.
 
With her injuries, she should move on. It will benefit the team as well. It’s apparent after last night that we don’t have a post presence. So developing Aaliyah to be that low post threat, is crucial to next year’s success.
 
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hoopsfan22 said:
If she comes back she will have her starting spot. As will CW and ONO. Starting five is essentially the same next year. Maybe Geno plays around with Nika's spot a bit, but don't expect big changes seven months from now.
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I think you are right. However, as always....if a player forces her way into the starting line-up, due to consistently superior play, the roles will change. You can't tell me that if Azzi Fudd is " healthy," she won't force her way into the starting #2 guard. What we really need to happen is for someone to force Olivia into a bench role. That may be asking too much, unless the new recruit ( DeBerry) is like Ajai or Boston. But UCONN left too many points in the paint last night, not to mention the foul line.
 
oldude said:
I would love for Evina to return, but she is currently projected as a top-10 draft pick and her history of injuries would strongly point to declaring for the draft now.
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Yes, in fact a certain sports network recently bumped her up to #5. More important is what Geno's soliciting of GM opinions reveals. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her play this year, would hate to see her go, but will root for her either way.

On the positive side, the breadth of her skill set is impressive. She's big enough to be a combo guard in the pros, at least overseas. She's savvy and very competitive. It appears as though her mindset throughout a game is even-keel. That said, I've never felt like she was a 1st-round pick. Her handle could use work. She is not a consistent three-point shooter. She's athletic, but not supremely quick. And frankly, in a typical game there would be two or three plays she would make/attempt that left me scratching my head. I don't know if another year of coaching could help with that.

I've felt most of the year that she was not 100%, and suspect she still is not. In my mind, her decision turns on whether her knee could get better/stronger with another year of workouts/rehab. I recognize the risks and don't wish to minimize them. Of course, you could go pro, tear a ligament in the first month and be laid up for a long time. The obverse of the knee problems being a good reason to leave is that if you anticipate such problems the rest of your career, maybe getting a good start on a master's is a good idea (probably I'm an old-fashioned idealist on that one).

One thing about this that brings out the sentimental in me is that I would hate for this perverted year to be the only one she plays at UConn. That has nothing to do with losing last night. I just think it would be great for her to play in front of thousands of adoring fans and if not get on the wall, at least go down as one of UConn's better players. That would be something she could hold onto her whole life.

Finally, Evina versus Azzi: I know a lot of posters are over the moon about Azzi. If E were to come back, I don't see Azzi (or Caroline Ducharme or Poff) supplanting E in the starting lineup. I don't see Azzi being able to rebound or defend like E, and possibly not pass like her. If I'm wrong, great. And of course, many former UConn players found some success in the pro ranks after being a sub in college.
 
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Longtime fan said:
I think you are right. However, as always....if a player forces her way into the starting line-up, due to consistently superior play, the roles will change. You can't tell me that if Azzi Fudd is " healthy," she won't force her way into the starting #2 guard. What we really need to happen is for someone to force Olivia into a bench role. That may be asking too much, unless the new recruit ( DeBerry) is like Ajai or Boston. But UCONN left too many points in the paint last night, not to mention the foul line.
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Oh yeah I'm sure if Fudd is otherworldly it'll be hard to keep her out of the lineup, but next year may be a situation where Geno has some starters in name only. I could see heavy subbing of our seniors very early in the game mainly for Edwards and Fudd. I still think we need to develop a deeper bench. If we're up 30 in games next year, rather than try to win by 40, the starters need to come out and let the bench figure some ish out for themselves in game situations. We can't keep having a bench that plays as many minutes in big games as I do.
 
Longtime fan said:
I think you are right. However, as always....if a player forces her way into the starting line-up, due to consistently superior play, the roles will change. You can't tell me that if Azzi Fudd is " healthy," she won't force her way into the starting #2 guard. What we really need to happen is for someone to force Olivia into a bench role. That may be asking too much, unless the new recruit ( DeBerry) is like Ajai or Boston. But UCONN left too many points in the paint last night, not to mention the foul line.
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your talking about the backbone of UConn's defense who averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds in 26 minutes per game sand was third on the team in assists...................she needs to get stronger and become a better finisher but she starts next season for sure....
 
While it is a weak draft, you still have to make the team. Or you might think one more year might improve your draft stock, as Mya Hollingshed, a projected 19th pick, did in deciding to play a fifth year. If Evina’s is a physical question, she might want to focus on a college NC or AA, rather than being a bust or short lived in WNBA.
 
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Just curious. How much money are we talking about if Evina goes pro and is a first round pick?
 
What WNBA team would not want to have Evina on their roster....??

And with the cards she is currently holding health wise, I think she needs to make the big move.....
 
I think Evina will go to the WNBA. When Michelle Voepel asked her, post game, Evina replied "I'm not thinking about that right now ".

I take that as a yes, I'm going to the draft.

We shall see if I interpreted her answer correctly.
 
zmart said:
Just curious. How much money are we talking about if Evina goes pro and is a first round pick?
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In an interview yesterday or the day before Sue Bird said the salary is just part of the picture and there is endorsement money that is a very significant part of the deal. She wasn't talking her situation but more generally for mere mortals.
 
i'd be shocked if she stayed. take the $$ and run while you still can. shell definitely go in the 1st round.
 
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If I were a GM, I would not gamble on an Injured player who has not recovered to at least 90+% unless they were that dominant. There are healthy players who don't make the cut in the WNBA, so why exactly take that chance. I Love Mama E, but at this stage, it would be best to focus on getting healthier...
 
zmart said:
Just curious. How much money are we talking about if Evina goes pro and is a first round pick?
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Life changing money. A whole $69K as a rookie, picks 1-4 non guaranteed. Picks 5-8 get about $66.5K. But second year it can jump all the way up to .......$70K. And they actually have to make a roster to get it.
herhoopstats.substack.com

The WNBA Salary Cap and CBA Explained: Rookie Contracts Part One

Part one of a three-part series exploring rookie-scale contracts
herhoopstats.substack.com herhoopstats.substack.com
 
BobbyJ said:
Life changing money. A whole $69K as a rookie, picks 1-4 non guaranteed. Picks 5-8 get about $66.5K. But second year it can jump all the way up to .......$70K. And they actually have to make a roster to get it.
herhoopstats.substack.com

The WNBA Salary Cap and CBA Explained: Rookie Contracts Part One

Part one of a three-part series exploring rookie-scale contracts
herhoopstats.substack.com herhoopstats.substack.com
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But they earn that money in like four months don't they? That's an annualized pay rate of $210k. $70k by itself is a pretty good salary in most of the country.
 
Dokey said:
While it is a weak draft, you still have to make the team. Or you might think one more year might improve your draft stock, as Mya Hollingshed, a projected 19th pick, did in deciding to play a fifth year. If Evina’s is a physical question, she might want to focus on a college NC or AA, rather than being a bust or short lived in WNBA.
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While I agree that this is a relatively weak draft, there is another factor in the opposite direction. There are very very few roster spots that are really open in the WNBA this year. Last year it was easier to get one of those roster spots because many players sat out for health reasons or didn't want to play in the bubble.

This year you have the players from last year plus the players returning who sat out, and the draftees. I followed WNBA free agency closely and some teams do not have room to sign their first round draft picks. Dallas for example has already done a buyout and trade to free up spots, and still doesn't have room for the 5th and 7th pick. They also have #1 and #2. The new union contract has also resulted in a reduced number of WNBA spots.

With the new caps, many WNBA teams are saying rather than have a 12th player, they would rather spend that money on upgrading one of the first 11. Because of a weak draft, the bubble last year, and the new contract, there probably will be more first round picks waived than in most years, and more teams carrying just 11.
 
A high draft pick in the WNBA can be quite sure that she will be offered a lucrative foreign contract for the winter after her first season in the W finishes. That, plus any endorsement dollars that may be available, have to be weighed in addition to the player's "summer league" salary.

Looking at all this, Evina would be making a significant financial sacrifice to remain in college. But maybe she thinks that she can make her body more durable and her basketball skills more compelling by staying another year.
 
This is an Olympic year (delayed) so I wonder if some foreign players will stay home to train, freeing up a few extra roster spots?
 
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Unless E is a top 8pick she should stay, any lower and she could get cut, and this is a weak draft. Next year’s draft isn’t very strong, unless any of the 2019 kids who are stars declare early, E has a better chance of going in the top 8 next year. Howard, Cunane, Smith, Austin, and Hillmon will likely be the 1st 5 player taken, Westbrook could go as high as 6th next season if she shows some consistent scoring, better defensive, and better decisions with the ball, and she could also be named an All American, and add a national championship.
 
Go/huskies said:
Unless E is a top 8pick she should stay, any lower and she could get cut, and this is a weak draft. Next year’s draft isn’t very strong, unless any of the 2019 kids who are stars declare early, E has a better chance of going in the top 8 next year. Howard, Cunane, Smith, Austin, and Hillmon will likely be the 1st 5 player taken, Westbrook could go as high as 6th next season if she shows some consistent scoring, better defensive, and better decisions with the ball, and she could also be named an All American, and add a national championship.
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Awak Kuier should be the number 1 pick in this draft.
 
Tonyc said:
Listen to me no one from UConn is going to the WNBA this season. Nobody. They will all be back.
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:eek: Some of us heard and believed you the first time you said it.
 
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