Gabby

[EricSD]

Given the transfer of Sadie Edwards, plus the fact that none of the 2015 recruits are likely to play the one or two, I would not be at all surprised to see Gabby joining the guard rotation in the next game. I have no idea what her 3-point skill level is, but having two athletic guards like Nurse and Williams together on the court at times would be daunting for any opposition wanting to score from the guard position.

Funny story...

Geno was talking about Gabby with someone from the press and was talking about her skills. He asked her what position she played in high school and she said "Point Guard". Now keep in mind she's not played for 2 years due to injuries. He said something like "She can't dribble, pass, or shoot the ball. No idea how she could ever play the PG position"...

I'm sure my quotes aren't quite right, but that's why she won't ever play guard at UCONN, or at least not any time soon...

 

[Shenandoah]

There really is no such thing as a "redshirt" and I think this leads to a lot of confusion.

Every athlete has 5 years to use their 4 seasons of eligibility. Jessica Moore and Heather Buck both sat out a full season and used their 5 years to use up their 4 years of eligibility. No waiver was needed or applied for. Courtney played 19 minutes against UC Davis. Once Courtney played, she has used her first season of eligibility. The only way she could be granted this year of eligibility back is by a medical waiver. One of the criteria to successfully be granted a medical waiver is for a season ending injury to occur before the athlete completes 30% of the total games (and does not play in the second half of the season). Courtney obviously has not participated in 30% of the games yet nor has she competed in a second half game but her injury is not one that is season ending as she is projected to be available in 3-5 weeks from now.

Does that clear it up?

Biff: This needs to be posted permanently in the "Links to Blogs, etc" section...It seems to come up at least once a week...

 

[Fiftyish]

There really is no such thing as a "redshirt" and I think this leads to a lot of confusion.

Every athlete has 5 years to use their 4 seasons of eligibility. Jessica Moore and Heather Buck both sat out a full season and used their 5 years to use up their 4 years of eligibility. No waiver was needed or applied for. Courtney played 19 minutes against UC Davis. Once Courtney played, she has used her first season of eligibility. The only way she could be granted this year of eligibility back is by a medical waiver. One of the criteria to successfully be granted a medical waiver is for a season ending injury to occur before the athlete completes 30% of the total games (and does not play in the second half of the season). Courtney obviously has not participated in 30% of the games yet nor has she competed in a second half game but her injury is not one that is season ending as she is projected to be available in 3-5 weeks from now.

Does that clear it up?

Yes.
I think this post should be permanently pinned to the top of the board for future reference. It seems like every time one of our players gets injured the "redshirt" comes out of the woodwork. The debate goes on ad infinitum.
Thanks Biff.

 

[Fiftyish]

Biff: This needs to be posted permanently in the "Links to Blogs, etc" section...It seems to come up at least once a week...

Great minds think alike.

 

[Boreifs]

Funny story...

Geno was talking about Gabby with someone from the press and was talking about her skills. He asked her what position she played in high school and she said "Point Guard". Now keep in mind she's not played for 2 years due to injuries. He said something like "She can't dribble, pass, or shoot the ball. No idea how she could ever play the PG position"...

I'm sure my quotes aren't quite right, but that's why she won't ever play guard at UCONN, or at least not any time soon...

So something Geno said while joking with the press offers definitive proof?! Now that's funny.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Given the transfer of Sadie Edwards, plus the fact that none of the 2015 recruits are likely to play the one or two, I would not be at all surprised to see Gabby joining the guard rotation in the next game.

Geno's recent comments seem to suggest he much prefers her as a unique forward rather than a perimeter player. I doubt she moves back.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

So something Geno said while joking with the press offers definitive proof?! Now that's funny.

Don't think he was joking. He compared her to Cash and T-Williams, not guards.

 

[dtbtbtb]

Geno's players can't guard a chair and are the worst post players in America but they still do ok

 

[mrmojack]

Funny story...

Geno was talking about Gabby with someone from the press and was talking about her skills. He asked her what position she played in high school and she said "Point Guard". Now keep in mind she's not played for 2 years due to injuries. He said something like "She can't dribble, pass, or shoot the ball. No idea how she could ever play the PG position"...

I'm sure my quotes aren't quite right, but that's why she won't ever play guard at UCONN, or at least not any time soon...

And Lobo was the worst center in America.

 

[HuskyNan]

Your right. but it doesn't stop me/us from having our own opinion, just like she does. My opinion is that I'm glad she held out for so long and lavished in the attention that a true INDIVIDUAL star so richly deserves. I'm glad she went to SC and that now SC will be a one start team for the next four years. UConn eats those teams for lunch.

You do not get to make up stuff about kids and then heap scorn and insults on them for it.

 

[iri10]

Gabby will undoubtedly benefit from improving some of her guard skills. Not saying she needs to become the next Sue Bird, but the ability to make some long range buckets and function as part of the backcourt offensive flow will be useful to her career at UConn.

Next year we lose one player who takes up post position minutes, and gain as many as three (depending on how Geno plays Samuelson). The intensity of the competition for those minutes will rival the intensity this year at the 1 and 2. Or exceed it.

 

[easttexastrash]

Your right. but it doesn't stop me/us from having our own opinion, just like she does. My opinion is that I'm glad she held out for so long and lavished in the attention that a true INDIVIDUAL star so richly deserves. I'm glad she went to SC and that now SC will be a one start team for the next four years. UConn eats those teams for lunch.

LOL. What a ridiculous post. SC has 5 future WNBA players, possibly 6 if White develops at the post. She certainly has the body.

 

[sawxfan23]

Geno's recent comments seem to suggest he much prefers her as a unique forward rather than a perimeter player. I doubt she moves back.

I agree she is going to stay right where she is. Her skill set does not transfer to the guard position. I know she played guard in high school but that was because in high school the best athlete usually handles the ball the most and she was the best athlete. IMHO I think she will be a great player at the small forward position for UConn. She has great hops and will become a great rebounder the more she learns how to gain position and read the ball coming off the rim. She also has a great understanding of using the backboard and once she develops a face up game that she can use to either drive off of or shoot the mid range jump shot out of.

 

[hoophuskee]

Hoop, I think there is a bit of room for creating minutes, and, I think circumstances (in two ways) will dictate that those minutes become available.

The reason I think some minutes can be created is, both Stewie and KML are averaging over 30 minutes per game. Not "crazy" high, but, a bit higher than you sometimes see UConn players work. Three more players - Tuck, Nurse, and MoJeff - average at least 26. Given that KML and Tuck sustained significant injury last year, Nurse is a frosh, and opponents play "Whack-A-Mole" with Stewart, a modest reduction in time wouldn't be without value to those player's bodies and souls.

The two circumstances I referred to are 1) if many conference games are as lopsided as we fear, then Geno will almost certainly cut back on starter's minutes to avoid humiliation, and to engender conference unity. Those minutes will have to go to somebody or somebodies. 2) Thus far, only CE has been injured, and only KML seems to have gotten sick (without missing a game). We've a long way to go, and flu, colds, turned ankles and bumps and bruises lurk. Just having one starter "sit" for two games frees up 50 minutes or so.

At this point, Stokes and Chong are averaging over 20 mpg, and Gabby 14. I think it fair to say that the presence of road games at Stanford and ND for 2 of the first 7 games likely suppressed mpg for both Gabby and Chong, particularly Gabby, and raised minutes for starters. Over the next 23 games, only Duke and SCarolina look like games where the rotation may be significantly restricted. I think there'll be minutes for Chong, Gabby, and Eck, as well as Edwards. Even TLaw and Polly will see some 4-5 minute chunks.

I see her getting about 15 minutes - it all depends how much more or less as it pertains to Ekmark. How much Geno wants to play Ekmark has an impact on Williams and Chong imo. Starters get close to 30 except Nurse who gets close to 25. Stokes gets 20. It's not a lot minutes left. Stokes gets a few more minutes than 20 if you don't play the Big three of BS, MT and KML as much. But Ekmark is going to take some minutes. Chong needs a good chunk of minutes.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Starters get close to 30 except Nurse who gets close to 25.

Nurse is getting 28.8 per game since moving into the starting lineup. The minutes distribution will be interesting once the weaker conference schedule begins.

 

[Shenandoah]

I agree she is going to stay right where she is. Her skill set does not transfer to the guard position. I know she played guard in high school but that was because in high school the best athlete usually handles the ball the most and she was the best athlete. IMHO I think she will be a great player at the small forward position for UConn. She has great hops and will become a great rebounder the more she learns how to gain position and read the ball coming off the rim. She also has a great understanding of using the backboard and once she develops a face up game that she can use to either drive off of or shoot the mid range jump shot out of.

I agree with you, that Gabby will be best served at the small forward position. One thing that I noticed about her, is that she has tremendous body awareness/control. Similar to a martial artist doing a spin kick, the head comes around before the foot, locates the target, then the foot strikes it. Gabby seems to locate the hoop, in that split second before she releases the ball, and her body control allows her to adjust as needed. Bottom line, she doesn't miss layups, even in traffic.

 

[Icebear]

Gabby's assets will allow her to play the game similar to Kalana Greene with her athleticism. That included both 3 and 4 as necessary.

 

[VAMike23]

Gabby's assets will allow her to play the game similar to Kalana Greene with her athleticism. That included both 3 and 4 as necessary.

How do you think KG would have finished her career at UCONN had she not had the knee injury?

I followed UCONN only sporadically before 2008, having watched the 2002 team in the final four and quite a few of Taurasi's games until she graduated, but I did not see Kalana play before the injury. From all accounts, she was an elite-level athlete even for UCONN. Post-injury, I was always [still] impressed by her quickness and explosiveness. At the same time, her ability to elevate didn't seem to quite measure up to the same high standard.

 

[DavidK]

Gabby's assets will allow her to play the game similar to Kalana Greene with her athleticism. That included both 3 and 4 as necessary.

Agreed, also see some Ashely Battle in her, not nessasarly in body type but how they play.

 

[Icebear]

How do you think KG would have finished her career at UCONN had she not had the knee injury?

I followed UCONN only sporadically before 2008, having watched the 2002 team in the final four and quite a few of Taurasi's games until she graduated, but I did not see Kalana play before the injury. From all accounts, she was an elite-level athlete even for UCONN. Post-injury, I was always [still] impressed by her quickness and explosiveness. At the same time, her ability to elevate didn't seem to quite measure up to the same high standard.

I think KG post injury took some time to get back to full speed but I think her time in the WNBA proved the strength of her recovery.

 

[boontonbomber]

I liked Battle, and I really liked Kalana, but I already really , really like Gabby. This may sound crazy, but the player she reminds me of at this very early stage in her career, except for the tatoos and piercings, of course, is Dennis Rodman.

 

[Geno-ista]

Notice Geno put her in in the 1st half when the outcome was still uncertain. I have no doubt he is on to her.

Great point Sonny!!!!

 

[Rocket009]

LOL. What a ridiculous post. SC has 5 future WNBA players, possibly 6 if White develops at the post. She certainly has the body.

SC have a tremendous amount of talent and have had for some time. While Dawn Stanley is obviously a great recruiter, she needs to demonstrate that she can develop these talented kids into great players. That we have not seen yet. Perhaps that's what intimidates some of these recruits into veering away from UCONN. They are not confident enough that they can become great. The ones that do come to UCON seem to believe from the beginning that they can be great players.

 

[MilfordHusky]

How do you think KG would have finished her career at UCONN had she not had the knee injury?

I followed UCONN only sporadically before 2008, having watched the 2002 team in the final four and quite a few of Taurasi's games until she graduated, but I did not see Kalana play before the injury. From all accounts, she was an elite-level athlete even for UCONN. Post-injury, I was always [still] impressed by her quickness and explosiveness. At the same time, her ability to elevate didn't seem to quite measure up to the same high standard.

When she visited campus as a recruit and played with the team, she was"unguardable."

When UNC beat us by 20+, Kalana was our only player with the athleticism to compete with the UNC players.

I believe that the UConn women played the first game in John Paul Jones at Virginia. I think Kalana had about 25 points. She had a great midrange fall-away jumper.

I'm not sure about the level of the competition, but KG averaged close to a quadruple-double in each of her last 3 high school seasons.

 

[Geno-ista]

When she visited campus as a recruit and played with the team, she was"unguardable."

When UNC beat us by 20+, Kalana was our only player with the athleticism to compete with the UNC players.

I believe that the UConn women played the first game in John Paul Jones at Virginia. I think Kalana had about 25 points. She had a great midrange fall-away jumper.

I'm not sure about the level of the competition, but KG averaged close to a quadruple-double in each of her last 3 high school seasons.

KG did have a monster year and some big games in her Sr yr after injury. She rounded out one of our most dominant teams ever. She was a monster rebounder, defender, and she became a really good option & scorer as well. She was always receptive to nice chats during her recovery. I've had a few nice visits with her.

 

[DICKG]

Notice Geno put her in in the 1st half when the outcome was still uncertain. I have no doubt he is on to her.

Gabby has yet to play any "real meaningful" minutes. He praised her before the season started and fails to use her in big games. She did not play in the Stanford game and was put in against ND only when Lewis got some fouls. GENO always seems to have one player he does this to. I don't want to hear that she doen't practice hard. I am sure Diana wasn't always great in practice.

 

[Zorro]

She got a few meaningful minutes against ND.

 

[mysticmajor]

I think of the situation with Gabby a bit differently. Her progress has been impeded for the last season or two. So she has had physical recovery (done ) + skill recovery from high school + freshman year development that has to get done in parallel. From what I have heard, the coaching staff believes in her and her ability. I think that they have gone out of their way to find ways for her to play successfully. I think she is coming along nicely.

 

[Tonyc]

Its early in the season and our young players have strengths and weaknesses. Geno knows what they are and will use them in certain situations. The conference is weak and I would expect our freshman and sophomores to see more minutes and Geno using them in different lineups and situations. What we know is what we have seen and we haven't seen much. The little we have seen has been up and down with potential. The potential is there but only the coaching staff knows from watching in practice and discussing where the underclassman fair and need development before they can be trusted in game situations. What they need is playtime but first they must be able to execute in practice before they can be put in game situations. With Ek out Gabby is the only other option as Nurse is starting. I believe both Ek and Gabby will see more minutes. Geno will find their niche and it will not start with their weaknesses.

 

[Geno-ista]

Gabby has yet to play any "real meaningful" minutes. He praised her before the season started and fails to use her in big games. She did not play in the Stanford game and was put in against ND only when Lewis got some fouls. GENO always seems to have one player he does this to. I don't want to hear that she doen't practice hard. I am sure Diana wasn't always great in practice.

I think your assessment of this couldn't be more wrong. Geno didn't want to throw her to the wolves in the tight Stanford game away. She hasn't played B Ball for two years. At the open practice he spoke to this point a lot. Geno loves Gabby & she knows it. She will play a lot as we develop leads in all the upcoming games. I will be very very shocked if your inclination is right. And with Sadie leaving already - kind of thinned the herd to our core. Gabbie is already #8. Geno is already raving about all her raw attributes all the time. Dick- Gabbie will be a key match up cog for us by March. She will end up being a huge piece of our next 4 yrs.