Geno quotes via Rich about Kiah and off-season improvement

[bschwartz]

Really hoping next season is special for Kiah LINK

I agree with this assessment:

“And Kiah (Stokes) … Kiah’s a big key. She’s got a lot of work to do, and if she puts the work in she’s going to get rewarded. And if she puts the time in and commits herself, she can change her whole career from where it’s been the last two years to where it could be the next two years. So of all the players that we have on our team she’s probably the one that if she decides to make some changes could see the most benefits.’’

 

[Wonkster]

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If Kiah shifts into third gear next season, UConn will be an "OMYGAWD!" team in 2013-2014. Opposing teams will be crawling under their bench to hide, like Europeans did when the Mongolian horde invaded their country.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Surprised that KML is quoted chiming in that way. This team is not deep enough to have someone happy to sit on the end of the bench and her potential is just so high! I agree with Wonkster. Go Kiah. Work your proverbial butt off this summer.

 

[VAMike23]

Kiah will be an important cog, particulary if Stef has any injuries (new or recurring). And even if she stays healthy, we don't want Stef to be putting in anything more than 25-28 minutes per game on average.

But Moriah Jefferson will be the real key to this team's ultimate performance, IMHO.

 

[Wonkster]

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What do Boneyarders think of Kiah's game in the high post versus her low post play?

My impression is that Kiah seems tentative and unsure out on the periphery. Why do you think that is, and what can Geno do about it?

 

[rocky rococo]

Geno's system doesn't necessarily require that bigs be high-post players. While clearly he prefers that, Kara, Shuey and Tamika have all done fine at UConn as 90%+ low-post presences. It would be great if she were as willing to look for her shot inside as Kara did, but Tamika and Shuey weren't noted for looking for their own offense. I can easily see Kiah playing the sort of defensive stopper/o-board clean-up role those players did.

 

[Wbbfan1]

While I understand why Kiah wasn't invited to Team USA WUG trials, it sure would have been nice if she had. She could have helped the team with size, rebounding and defense. That team like UConn doesn't need her to score, she just needed to play solid minutes. Kiah has plenty of opportunity to get minutes, but she hasn't taken advantage of them. Hopefully next year she will.

 

[Samanthabrown3]

Surprised that KML is quoted chiming in that way.

They probably asked her about Stokes, and she gave a true and CD-coached answer.

 

[HuskyNan]

While I understand why Kiah wasn't invited to Team USA WUG trials, it sure would have been nice if she had. She could have helped the team with size, rebounding and defense. That team like UConn doesn't need her to score, she just needed to play solid minutes. Kiah has plenty of opportunity to get minutes, but she hasn't taken advantage of them. Hopefully next year she will.

It's possible she opted for a big man camp instead. I hope so - Kiah has a ton of potential of which we've seen tantalizing glimpses. The game vs Duke where she owned Elizabeth Williams comes to mind.

 

[Suebird10fan]

Kiah will be an important cog, particulary if Stef has any injuries (new or recurring). And even if she stays healthy, we don't want Stef to be putting in anything more than 25-28 minutes per game on average.

But Moriah Jefferson will be the real key to this team's ultimate performance, IMHO.

If you could quantify improvement, then Kiah would--by far in my opinion--have more potential for improvement than anyone else. MoJeff on the other hand would have the most impact per unit of improvement.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

IMO Kiah has a lateral movement/foot speed issue. Some can solve it. Some cannot. High post offense is a matter of practice.

 

[bruinbball]

IMO Kiah has a lateral movement/foot speed issue. Some can solve it. Some cannot. High post offense is a matter of practice.

I completely disagree. Geno had her out in front playing the point on some full court defense early on for short periods last year. Her foot speed, size, instincts and strength are all very good. With Kiah, it seems to be a mental thing. She has to want to out work others and want to reach her potential. If she does that, there will be no stopping her.

 

[pppggg]

It took Tina Charles 2 years to figure it out. Let's hope Kiah is a repeat of that pattern.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I completely disagree. Geno had her out in front playing the point on some full court defense early on for short periods last year. Her foot speed, size, instincts and strength are all very good. With Kiah, it seems to be a mental thing. She has to want to out work others and want to reach her potential. If she does that, there will be no stopping her.

May you be entirely right and me entirely wrong. Most of the time I find her movement so fluid it is mesmerizing.

 

[Icebear]

I completely disagree. Geno had her out in front playing the point on some full court defense early on for short periods last year. Her foot speed, size, instincts and strength are all very good. With Kiah, it seems to be a mental thing. She has to want to out work others and want to reach her potential. If she does that, there will be no stopping her.

I, also, disagree. I think Kiah's lateral foot speed is excellent. Kiah's issues are persistence and the constant desire to impose her will.

 

[Artifact]

For Kiah, 3 words covers it all, ' Practice, Attitude & Performance'. All the rest are sub-titles. You got the making's.

 

[Tonyc]

For Kiah its simple. She needs to make a Total Commitment if she wants it. Its that simple. As for MoJeff. Think about this. At times we will see Mojeff and BB pressuring on defense. That's gonna be a big WOW. Quick, speedy, explosive. Tuck and Stokes could be the biggest improvements this season and make a huge impact for the next couple of years.

 

[jsloanjr]

She needs that tough mental and physical attitude like Tina had her last 2 years........Where are her teammates not in her ears everyday?.........

 

[UcMiami]

I actually compare Kiah's first two years to mid season Stewart. I don't know about practice and effort because all I see is game time and she seems to bust her butt on the court and be focused on the bench. But her confidence seems to be fragile not dissimilar to what we saw mid season from Stewart. She seems pretty confident on defense but at the offensive end except for little spurts, she ends up being tentative. And with the skills she has shown it makes no sense - she has a solid 15 footer, and she is strong at the hoop.

 

[tonehill68]

I truly believe in Kiah to step her game up....