Ezi Magbegor and Assorted Topic Drifts

[Charliebball]

and now for something totally different............if you are a retiring basketball player in New Zealand look what you might get:

 

[CocoHusky]

and now for something totally different..if you are a retiring basketball player in New Zealand look what you might get:

 

[Intpseeker]

I think Dunston and maybe Parrish are taller than Daube.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

and now for something totally different..if you are a retiring basketball player in New Zealand look what you might get:

There rugby team scares everyone before every game with that!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I'll vote for different all the time! Yowser.

 

[oldude]

There rugby team scares everyone before every game with that!

That would be the New Zealand All-Blacks, which is not meant to be politically incorrect. It is the color of their uniforms.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

That would be the New Zealand All-Blacks, which is not meant to be politically incorrect. It is the color of their uniforms.

Maori origins:

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Compare and contrast:

 

[CocoHusky]

Is there any corroboration that Magbegor is joining Connecticut? Kind of strange silence regarding a high-profile international player. ESPN? Anyone? Hope it's true.

If only we can start a thread about this

Do we really have a shot with Brink, given that she's right there in Oregon and a hometown girl for the up-and-coming Oregon program? Is that realistic? Not disputing that we want her to come to Connecticut.

This is a picture of Cameron in Geno's office. She is coming to UCONN.

What would the effect on recruiting bigs be if we ended up with two post players- Magbegor and Nelson-Ododa next year? Would Boston or Amihere want to come if our front court were already set, so to speak? I doubt that it would have an effect on Brunelle's thinking, since she could be a KLS-style forward/guard.

Next year is already here. Ezi and ONO will be suiting up for UCONN this fall. Don’t see both Boston and Amihere coming to UCONN with Ezi and ONO both on board. Brunelle is no KLS, if she decides to come to UCONN great. Editorial comment: This poster also once opined that KLS was no KML and was glad to be proven wrong. Personally, I’d rather have Haley Jones at UCONN ahead of Brunelle Note: See prior editorial comment.
The UCONN 2019 recruiting class needs to be larger (3-5) and impactful because UCONN will be losing 2 AA (potentially 3) to graduation in 2018.

 

[Charliebball]

wow..... this one almost gets out of hand

 

[oldude]

Many years ago, I used to play for a pretty good rugby club in NYC called the Old Blue. We used to wear the same all black uniforms as the All-Blacks. Unfortunately, we never learned to do the Maori warrior dance.

 

[Charliebball]

Many years ago, I used to play for a pretty good rugby club in NYC called the Old Blue. We used to wear the same all black uniforms as the All-Blacks. Unfortunately, we never learned to do the Maori warrior dance.

I'm practicing the dance in my college rugby jersey right now!!!!..........

 

[HopJim]

Ezi is a very impressive, polished and well spoken young lady for sure who appears, like CW, to be looking to be "Legendary."

Would love to see Ezi commit to UConn but have not viewed any videos of her playing at "Legendary" level. I know she plays in a pro league but appears currently to be a good, not great player, against good, not great opposition. Anyone have evidence of superior skills?

 

[Centerstream]

Would love to see Ezi commit to UConn but have not viewed any videos of her playing at "Legendary" level. I know she plays in a pro league but appears currently to be a good, not great player, against good, not great opposition. Anyone have evidence of superior skills?

Well, Geno and staff recruited her. Good enough for me.

 

[CocoHusky]

Would love to see Ezi commit to UConn but have not viewed any videos of her playing at "Legendary" level. I know she plays in a pro league but appears currently to be a good, not great player, against good, not great opposition. Anyone have evidence of superior skills?

In this game from 2016 FIBA U17 Ezi is matched up against ONO and was the tournament MVP.

 

[DEpup]

Would love to see Ezi commit to UConn but have not viewed any videos of her playing at "Legendary" level. I know she plays in a pro league but appears currently to be a good, not great player, against good, not great opposition. Anyone have evidence of superior skills?

You can watch international basketball in the youth categories where she is playing against players in her age group that we are aware of and what jumps out at you is athleticism. Look what combining athleticism and the coaching staff did for Gabby.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Would love to see Ezi commit to UConn but have not viewed any videos of her playing at "Legendary" level. I know she plays in a pro league but appears currently to be a good, not great player, against good, not great opposition. Anyone have evidence of superior skills?

Brondello calls her the future of the Opals and she coached Seattle and now coaches the Opals, the Aussie nat'l team. She was MVP of FEMA U-17s last summer and there is olenty of stuff on it, including video in this thread. She has as much a chance of being "legendary" as CW.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

wow..... this one almost gets out of hand

There is a documentary on Netflix about a teenage preparing to be asked to a Blacks camp/try out I believe. Saw it a while back, but they keep weeding their inventory. Very well done, taking you inside the Maori culture and how the pride drives the Blacks. Gotta split, but if I find it later today I'll pass on more info.

Postscript: That documentary is gone. There is one about Samoa and other pacific island nations getting into Int'l Rugby which looks interesting. "Pacific Warriors".

 

[RockyMTblue2]

This is a picture of Cameron in Geno's office. She is coming to UCONN.

So you're "Deep Throat"?

 

[CocoHusky]

So you're "Deep Throat"?

You have to look at the whole picture and also add in some creative body language. Over Cameron's sholder are the NC trophies and Geno just got done telling her that his office can clearly be extended across the hall to make room for more trophies especially since Kevin's office is currently unoccupied. Also if you look out the window that is the Huskies Wall of honor and you can clearly make out Bria Hartley's name and number. That pitch was easy also: Brink #42 will some day be on that wall. She is coming to UCONN it is her destiny.

 

[SVCBeercats]

But there is also a really longing for height.
With the sort of exception of volleyball (and in some ways in football) height isn't such a big deal in any sport I can think of except for basketball.

Your statement about height and its importance made me think of the Saint Louis Cardinals pitching staff. At one time they had 3 or 4 pitcher = or > 6'5". What I did is not a very good analysis. Nonetheless it surprised me. I simply listed last year's MLB pitchers by their ERA in ascending order. They must have pitched more than 150 innings. The top twenty contained 8 pitchers 6'5" or greater. On average they are about 6'3" tall. One lone sub 6 footer. Not on a par with basketball height but there is an apparent preference for tall pitchers. I guess it is a Randy Johnson syndrome.

We became fans of the Saint Louis Cardinals when we lived in the area. Besides trying to win a world series, their goal was to provide a family friendly event. Excessive boozing, fighting, and cursing was rewarded with a very fast trip out of the stadium. Somewhere during this ouster they got a photo. It was used to keep the person(s) out of future games for at least one month to an indefinite period. If you were a season ticket holder, you better get on bended knee to retain you season tickets. I personally witnessed their efficiency. Three fellows became rowdy. From the time I noticed until they were escorted up and out of our section was less then 5 minutes. No negotiations. Just ordered out posthaste. The escort team was reward with loud applause and words of encouragement. Now I would never take a child to a Saint Louis Blues NHL game. Yikes!

 

[oldude]

A lot of post players take considerable time to develop in college. Whether they’re not used to playing against players their own size, or just don’t have the level of fitness necessary to play at the college level, it often takes several years for a BIG to reach their potential.

Ezi definitely has skills, and those skills will certainly develop significantly if she plays for Geno, CD and company. What impresses me most about Ezi is her fitness level. At only 18 years old, Ezi is lean and muscular, with a “college ready” level of fitness that will allow her to contribute sooner rather than later.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Don't get excite until she signs and shows up. Remember Texas (Charli Collier) is lurking out there. Dirty rotten tampering Texas.

Hate to tell you all I told you so: Okay, it wasn't her Coach sloppy drunk spilling the beans in a local pub ...wait a minute, how do we know that?? It could have been that for sure. Can't wait for UCLA's tampering/violation complaint to the NCAA! Wait, they'll Have The PAC do it using the Tennessee Playbook right?

What I really wanna say is: Nice Sleuthing @Sluconn Husky .

Question for @oldude: Can Geno comment. We don't know that the document is signed to we? I sleep in and this happens.

 

[MSGRET]

the first day of practice next season

The day she makes it official by signing the NLI and saying she is coming to UConn.

 

[Huskee11]

Your statement about height and its importance made think of the Saint Louis Cardinals pitching staff. At one time they had 3 or 4 pitcher = or > 6'5". What I did is not a very good analysis. Nonetheless it surprised me. I simply listed last year's MLB pitchers by their ERA in ascending order. They must have pitched more than 150 innings. The top twenty contained 8 pitchers 6'5" or greater. On average they are about 6'3" tall. One lone sub 6 footer. Not on a par with basketball height but there is an apparent preference for tall pitchers. I guess it is a Randy Johnson syndrome.

Dan Duquette (former Red Sox, current Oriole GM) said that the reason for the preference, and why scouts look for taller pitchers, is they have a downward angle to their pitches, and as a result hitters can only see the top half of the ball. Nevertheless, one of his prized signings for the Sox was Pedro Martinez, a freak of nature who was only 5'11'', 170.

 

[Kmoney]

Brondello calls her the future of the Opals and she coached Seattle and now coaches the Opals, the Aussie nat'l team. She was MVP of FEMA U-17s last summer and there is olenty of stuff on it, including video in this thread. She has as much a chance of being "legendary" as CW.

I bet you that was a disaster.

 

[mbr33ct]

Many years ago, I used to play for a pretty good rugby club in NYC called the Old Blue. We used to wear the same all black uniforms as the All-Blacks. Unfortunately, we never learned to do the Maori warrior dance.

What is it with you and the word "old", oldblue, olddude...ok we get it, you're old.

 

[MilfordHusky]

You can watch international basketball in the youth categories where she is playing against players in her age group that we are aware of and what jumps out at you is athleticism. Look what combining athleticism and the coaching staff did for Gabby.

Imagine a 6’4” Gabby Williams!!

 

[Centerstream]

Dan Duquette (former Red Sox, current Oriole GM) said that the reason for the preference, and why scouts look for taller pitchers, is they have a downward angle to their pitches, and as a result hitters can only see the top half of the ball. Nevertheless, one of his prized signings for the Sox was Pedro Martinez, a freak of nature who was only 5'11'', 170.

OT Dan and I are from the same hometown, but he was a few years behind me in school.

 

[bags27]

Dan Duquette (former Red Sox, current Oriole GM) said that the reason for the preference, and why scouts look for taller pitchers, is they have a downward angle to their pitches, and as a result hitters can only see the top half of the ball. Nevertheless, one of his prized signings for the Sox was Pedro Martinez, a freak of nature who was only 5'11'', 170.

I started this question of height, so let me explain what I meant.

Sure, there are advantages in nearly every sport where, under certain circumstances, height can be an advantage. In the old days, when tennis was played with wooden rackets and the game included volleying, being tall meant covering the net more effectively (witness Stan Smith); and even now being a taller player generally means having better leverage and skip on one's serve.

But my larger point was that it's a rare sport in which tallness virtually guarantees an advantage. Sure, bad tall basketball players are still bad players. But a good tall basketball player is an extreme advantage just by their proximity to the only thing that matters in the sport--the goal. I don't think Griner became a good player until well into her junior year (some would say her senior year). And yet even as she was just growing into her body, she dominated.