The problem of being retired and still in semi-isolation, despite the fact the Connecticut has just moved to phase 2 reopening, means that one has too much time available. This condition has led to this new thread on freshmen starters. No coach, Geno included, will start a first year player unless she is better than the possible alternatives and the best use of the player is not being the first off the bench. The latter may possess some dimension that one or more starters does not have - instant offense, defensive prowess, greater athleticism, etc. The information below is divided into three categories - freshmen who started from beginning of season, frosh who started later in year, and exceptional players who did not start in their first year.
The date listed is that for the start of the season, thus Sue Bird played her first game in November 1998. The women cited below do not include, except for one notable exception, those who played before the writer started following the UConn women in the fall of 1994 and he may have forgotten to include a few players.
1) Freshmen starters at beginning - Jen Rizzotti (’92), Sue Bird (’98), Nicole Wolff (’02), Ann Strother (’02), Tina Charles (’06), Caroline Doty (’08), Stephanie Dolson (’10), Christyn Williams (’18), Anna Makurat (’19). Four of the nine starting first year players were point guards, two centers, and three as guards/forwards.
2) Freshmen who started after season began - Svetlana Abrosimova (’97), Swin Cash (’98), Renee Montgomery (’05), Maya Moore (’07), Tiffany Hayes (’08), Kia Nurse (’14). These players can be divided between those who either replaced someone injured or a person of lesser ability.
3) Great players who didn’t start as freshmen - Nykesha Sales (’94), Shea Ralph (’96), Barbara Turner (’02), Kalana Greene (’05), Bria Hartley (’10), Kaleena Mosquera-Lewis (’11), Breanna Stewart (’12), Moriah Jefferson (’12), Morgan Tuck (’12), Gabby Williams (’14), Napheesa Collier (’15), Katie Lou Samuelson (’15), Megan Walker (’17).
A number of other first year players have started an occasional game over the years. Due to injuries in 1998-99 season, for example, Asjha Jones, Tamika Williams, and oft injured Keirsten Walters started a few games in 1998-99.
My view is that either Paige Bueckers or Aaliyah Edwards will be the fifth starter and the other will get a great deal of playing time by becoming one of the first off the bench. An injury to one of the starters, however, could change the equation. The major question remaining, however, concerns the other three first year players. How much will Nika Muhl, Mir McLean, and Piath Gabriel contribute to team success in the upcoming season? Will one of these three players be part of the rotation?
The date listed is that for the start of the season, thus Sue Bird played her first game in November 1998. The women cited below do not include, except for one notable exception, those who played before the writer started following the UConn women in the fall of 1994 and he may have forgotten to include a few players.
1) Freshmen starters at beginning - Jen Rizzotti (’92), Sue Bird (’98), Nicole Wolff (’02), Ann Strother (’02), Tina Charles (’06), Caroline Doty (’08), Stephanie Dolson (’10), Christyn Williams (’18), Anna Makurat (’19). Four of the nine starting first year players were point guards, two centers, and three as guards/forwards.
2) Freshmen who started after season began - Svetlana Abrosimova (’97), Swin Cash (’98), Renee Montgomery (’05), Maya Moore (’07), Tiffany Hayes (’08), Kia Nurse (’14). These players can be divided between those who either replaced someone injured or a person of lesser ability.
3) Great players who didn’t start as freshmen - Nykesha Sales (’94), Shea Ralph (’96), Barbara Turner (’02), Kalana Greene (’05), Bria Hartley (’10), Kaleena Mosquera-Lewis (’11), Breanna Stewart (’12), Moriah Jefferson (’12), Morgan Tuck (’12), Gabby Williams (’14), Napheesa Collier (’15), Katie Lou Samuelson (’15), Megan Walker (’17).
A number of other first year players have started an occasional game over the years. Due to injuries in 1998-99 season, for example, Asjha Jones, Tamika Williams, and oft injured Keirsten Walters started a few games in 1998-99.
My view is that either Paige Bueckers or Aaliyah Edwards will be the fifth starter and the other will get a great deal of playing time by becoming one of the first off the bench. An injury to one of the starters, however, could change the equation. The major question remaining, however, concerns the other three first year players. How much will Nika Muhl, Mir McLean, and Piath Gabriel contribute to team success in the upcoming season? Will one of these three players be part of the rotation?
