[formerly] Duke's Azura Stevens

[BroadwayVa]

At 6:5 ranked 57 in one service what do you guys think?


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It does not matter where she is "ranked"---with Uconn fans, at this point in the season, she is our number ONE woman.
Where ever she is ranked--you must believe that with Geno and staff she will be among the best in the land in 2017/18 if not the best!!

 

[Fairfield Fan]

. But fair is fair. If not Gino, then SHE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED would be the best coach and team for her. I'm sure that watching UConn's players drafted 1, 2, 3 in the WNBA made it impossible to resist coming to Storrs. It's a slam-dunk for anyone in her situation...or at least should be.

So will Azure remain at Connecticut for three years, playing her full two years of eligibility? Or will she get in one good year, and then bolt to the WNBA and European leagues after her redshirt junior season when she becomes eligible to play pro? She's already been named All-ACC. If she does well her first year at UConn, what will hold her back?

 

[mhshuskies]

. But fair is fair. If not Gino, then SHE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED would be the best coach and team for her. I'm sure that watching UConn's players drafted 1, 2, 3 in the WNBA made it impossible to resist coming to Storrs. It's a slam-dunk for anyone in her situation...or at least should be.

You got me guessing, who shall not be named?

 

[hoophuskee]

So will Azure remain at Connecticut for three years, playing her full two years of eligibility? Or will she get in one good year, and then bolt to the WNBA and European leagues after her redshirt junior season when she becomes eligible to play pro? She's already been named All-ACC. If she does well her first year at UConn, what will hold her back?

you could be right. But would Geno take her just for 1 year?

 

[JordyG]

You got me guessing, who shall not be named?

Little Ms. Muffet.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

So will Azure remain at Connecticut for three years, playing her full two years of eligibility? Or will she get in one good year, and then bolt to the WNBA and European leagues after her redshirt junior season when she becomes eligible to play pro? She's already been named All-ACC. If she does well her first year at UConn, what will hold her back?

Would seem odd to me to transfer, sit out a year, and then leave after just one season at a program you reportedly have always wanted to play for. She doesn't have the circumstances Tuck did when choosing to leave; 4 years with UConn, 4 titles, leaving with the friends in her class, and having a balky knee well after two major surgeries.

I could understand Tuck not coming back for a 5th year. Don't really know why Stevens would leave early.

 

[CocoHusky]

So will Azure remain at Connecticut for three years, playing her full two years of eligibility? Or will she get in one good year, and then bolt to the WNBA and European leagues after her redshirt junior season when she becomes eligible to play pro? She's already been named All-ACC. If she does well her first year at UConn, what will hold her back?

I think she will stay and complete her full eligibility at UCONN. But then I would have said the same thing about Jewell Loyd at ND. Like Jewel she could be the first pick in the WNBA draft then I think she makes the best decision for her and family and I will wish her well. That will be a tough choice for a WNBA GM among Turner, Wilson & Stevens.

 

[shinobimono]

I think she will stay and complete her full eligibility at UCONN. But then I would have said the same thing about Jewell Loyd at ND. Like Jewel she could be the first pick in the WNBA draft then I think she makes the best decision for her and family and I will wish her well. That will be a tough choice for a WNBA GM among Turner, Wilson & Stevens.

Perhaps that is another reason for Azurá to stay a second year. I think Jewell's declaring for the draft a year early had more to do with her future earning power as a professional player aboard. In my view, she realized that she would not be the number one pick ahead of Stewie if she stayed her last year. Coming out when she did made her the number one draft pick plus she became rookie of the year, which are undoubtedly factors that help push one's earning potential upward with prospective overseas employers. I think it was a pretty shrewd business decision on her part. In Azurá's case, it may be the opposite, where she could be a higher draft pick if she stays the second year, instead of competing with Turner and Wilson. Just a thought.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

I think she will stay and complete her full eligibility at UCONN. But then I would have said the same thing about Jewell Loyd at ND. Like Jewel she could be the first pick in the WNBA draft then I think she makes the best decision for her and family and I will wish her well. That will be a tough choice for a WNBA GM among Turner, Wilson & Stevens.

But of course, it's not really about the WNBA, but about the Big Bucks in Europe. If Azura is named a first team AA, then she could leave for a summer with the WNBA, then use the months she would have been playing for UConn for free to pick up hundreds of thousands of dollars playing in Russia or elsewhere. She wouldn't have to be the top pick in the WNBA draft to get the bucks in Europe.

Would friendship and Geno's coaching be enough to remain an undergraduate for a fifth year? I wonder....

 

[Kibitzer]

So will Azure remain at Connecticut for three years, playing her full two years of eligibility? Or will she get in one good year, and then bolt to the WNBA and European leagues after her redshirt junior season when she becomes eligible to play pro? She's already been named All-ACC. If she does well her first year at UConn, what will hold her back?

Geez, she's not even here yet and won't put on her first UConn game jersey for 18 months. Take your meds and calm down.

 

[BroadwayVa]

So will Azure remain at Connecticut for three years, playing her full two years of eligibility? Or will she get in one good year, and then bolt to the WNBA and European leagues after her redshirt junior season when she becomes eligible to play pro? She's already been named All-ACC. If she does well her first year at UConn, what will hold her back?

The DRAW of MONEY is huge.. But if she is intelligent she will see that if she wins 2 NC's her sale-ability for European (money) teams will be better. Her WNBA draft status will climb (not beyond number 1 however) and this equates into dollars.
I'd love to have her PLAY at Uconn for 3 years. However, I am thrilled to have her a UConn Husky today. could her timing ever have been better??????

 

[BroadwayVa]

Azura is already a proven commodity.
she averaged 19 ppg - 10 Boards ( 9.5 ) & 2 Blocks in an Elite conference... with in my opinion limited coaching, slow tempo Offense & on a team this past year that was very inexperienced on the perimeter.
With Stewie now graduated... could easily make a case that Azura is the most talented, versatile player in WBB.

for me.. the "potential" with this young lady...exists in now receiving coaching from the best coach in the sport / playing in a program with high level execution.
She was & is the closest thing to Stewie, wbb has to offer.

Every single time I saw her play last season... I would express how I would loved to have seen what she could do / be if she was at UConn or Notre Dame.

Shame on you ---for using the ND word in speak of A.S. !!

 

[donalddoowop]

The DRAW of MONEY is huge.. But if she is intelligent she will see that if she wins 2 NC's her sale-ability for European (money) teams will be better. Her WNBA draft status will climb (not beyond number 1 however) and this equates into dollars.
I'd love to have her PLAY at Uconn for 3 years. However, I am thrilled to have her a UConn Husky today. could her timing ever have been better??????

Yes. She could have transferred last season and been eligible to play this season.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Yes. She could have transferred last season and been eligible to play this season.

Why transfer into Uconn 2 years ago and have to compete with the nations top players every day?? I'll take what she is giving us NOW!! This was a gift dropped into Geno's lap--don't looks gifted Wbb players in the mouth (think about that one)!!!

 

[HuskiesU]

She was a good player @ Duke. She'll become a GREAT player @ Uconn. Not saying she's Stewie but she's pretty darn close and practicing with the team this season having to sit out gives her time to work on her handle, jump shot off the dribble and court awareness. I seen a couple games where teams just snatched the ball away from her. Hope she's in the weight room as I post this

 

[donalddoowop]

Why transfer into Uconn 2 years ago and have to compete with the nations top players every day?? I'll take what she is giving us NOW!! This was a gift dropped into Geno's lap--don't looks gifted Wbb players in the mouth (think about that one)!!!

You misunderstand. I said THIS season, 2016, 2017. If she had transferred last season she would have been sitting out this past season and ready to play for UCONN for three seasons. I did not say she should have transferred two seasons ago.

 

[Go/huskies]

AZ looks and moves a little like Kevin Durant on the court, with Uconn coaching I think she'll be a 3/4 in the pros.

 

[Dougie]

. But fair is fair. If not Gino, then SHE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED would be the best coach and team for her. I'm sure that watching UConn's players drafted 1, 2, 3 in the WNBA made it impossible to resist coming to Storrs. It's a slam-dunk for anyone in her situation...or at least should be.

Did somebody say slam-dunk? Wouldn't that be fun to finally see?