Getting to know recent UConn women’s basketball commit Aaliyah Edwards, a Candace Parker-esque Canadian prospect

[RoadWarrior]

Growing up, Aaliyah Edwards always looked up to Kia Nurse....

UConn women’s basketball commit Aaliyah Edwards, who looked up to fellow Canadian Kia Nurse says she liked Huskies ‘competitive mentality’

Growing up, Aaliyah Edwards always looked up to Kia Nurse. Nurse was a logical idol for Edwards, who is originally from Kingston, Ontario. The former UConn standout, first-round WNBA draft pick, an…

www.courant.com

 

[CocoHusky]

Oh boy! That comparison is going to go over well on this board.

 

[WiseOne]

Can someone please paraphrase for the ones who don’t have the courant subscription?

 

[JordyG]

Can someone please paraphrase for the ones who don’t have the courant subscription?

Change your browser. Whenever I get locked out of say using Mozilla, I switch over to Google Chrome and view the Courant articles there, and vice versa. Locked out of both I use Edge. Or if you like, just clear your cookies and you're off to the races on whatever browser you want.

 

[eebmg]

The exact quote is

"Edwards says she emulates her game off Candace Parker’s (“she’s really versatile, dynamic, kind of an in-and-out player, which is what I am as well"), though her favorite player is Kobe Bryant, for his relentlessness and grit."

I view her thoughts very positively. She was not lured by some long since past historical reputation but what is the best place for her complete development.

 

[mbr33ct]

Can someone please paraphrase for the ones who don’t have the courant subscription?

To paraphrase...she's good!

 

[CocoHusky]

Can someone please paraphrase for the ones who don’t have the courant subscription?

She idolized Kia Nurse growing up because of Kia's tenacity.
Because she admired Kia did not mean UCONN was a given.
It took a UCONN visit to seal the deal because UCONN has "ballers" that are also fun off the court.
She modeled her game after Candace Parker (inside outside) and admires Kobe.
Jasmine was the first to make contact with her mother in March
Editorial: That's pretty late in recruiting process.

 

[JordyG]

Editorial: That's pretty late in recruiting process.

Yes it is, and I think because of the connection it worked. Without the Nurse connection I think it would have been a lot harder. Being late to the party certainly killed UConn's chances with Horston last year. It seems for the most part developing long term relationships with both the parents and the player are the keys to LOI's.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Jasmine was the first to make contact with her mother in March
Editorial: That's pretty late in recruiting process.

It's very odd news considering NorthPoleHoops reported UConn's interest in her last fall.

 

[cordarone]

Editorial: That's pretty late in recruiting process.

Wasn't it even later, in the summer, when UConn got in with Nurse?
But that was because the staff thought she was in Grade 11 when she was actually Grade 12.

 

[Alydar]

If you go to YOUTube and watch her U-16 games you'll see a much more raw player. Her handle wasn't very good and she succeeded only because she was bigger. But the energy and effort were apparent. She has come a long way in 2 years.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

If you go to YOUTube and watch her U-16 games you'll see a much more raw player. Her handle wasn't very good and she succeeded only because she was bigger. But the energy and effort were apparent. She has come a long way in 2 years.

The consistency might not have been there but the talent was. The video below is from her time at Frontenac High two years ago.

 

[Alydar]

The consistency might not have been there but the talent was. The video below is from her time at Frontenac High two years ago

I can make a highlight video of my golf game and some would think I was US Open material.

Here's the video I watched, also a "highlight" video. She missses a lot of shots for a highlight video, particularly her 3 pt attempts. Watch her shot get blocked :30" into the video. And I don't think it reflects her game today at all. To me it appears that moving to her current school has provided her with better coaching. And that is confirmed by the comments from her coach about her attitude and her work ethic.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I can make a highlight video of my golf game and some would think I was US Open material.
Here's the video I watched, also a "highlight" video. She missses a lot of shots for a highlight video, particularly her 3 pt attempts. Watch her shot get blocked :30" into the video. And I don't think it reflects her game today at all. To me it appears that moving to her current school has provided her with better coaching. And that is confirmed by the comments from her coach about her attitude and her work ethic.

Yes, I've seen that video before, but none of that negates the skills she shows in the previous one. Clearly there are plenty of moments of failure---even greats have those. There is also an obvious skill set to go along with quality shooting form, athleticism, ball-handling abilities, and a great frame.

 

[Alydar]

Yes, I've seen that video before, but none of that negates the skills she shows in the previous one. Clearly there are plenty of moments of failure---even greats have those. There is also an obvious skill set to go along with quality shooting form, athleticism, ball-handling abilities, and a great frame.

Remember, we were watching her best, not her worst. All those qualities you list are true but she had trouble putting the ball through the hoop 2 years ago.

And as long as I'm on the topic ... a pet peeve of mine is any player who can do a double spin move, dribble the ball through the legs of a defender ...... but then miss the rim on her layup attempt. I see that sort of thing all the time in games and it tells me there is too much time being spent on learning flash and too little on fundamentals like shooting making layups. And I blame ESPN and their love affair with 5 second highlights.

 

[Vowelguy]

why would the Courant insult her like that?

 

[eebmg]

why would the Courant insult her like that?

Aaliyah made the connection between herself and CP. The fact that she was smart enough not to be influenced by that is what really counts

The exact quote is

"Edwards says she emulates her game off Candace Parker’s (“she’s really versatile, dynamic, kind of an in-and-out player, which is what I am as well"), though her favorite player is Kobe Bryant, for his relentlessness and grit."

I view her thoughts very positively. She was not lured by some long since past historical reputation but what is the best place for her complete development.

 

[Charliebball]

you folks worry about the most unimportant things.........................my main concern is what happens to the multi colored braids once she reaches Storrs?......................

 

[Vowelguy]

you folks worry about the most unimportant things.........................my main concern is what happens to the multi colored braids once she reaches Storrs?......................

Aint no mystery there.

Though it should be noted that Morgan Tuck did get to wear a head band! CD is weakening. I imagine that tattoos will be allowed by her in about 25 years.

 

[Charliebball]

Aint no mystery there.

Though it should be noted that Morgan Tuck did get to wear a head band! CD is weakening. I imagine that tattoos will be allowed by her in about 25 years.

how about just blue and white?................

 

[Alydar]

I want to thank Road Warrior for giving me a pit in my stomach every time I open this site and see that name. Yes, it's a flaw in my character.

I can't wait for this thread to descend to the nether regions of this board. And most of it isn't her, it's all the contentiousness that went on then. CP is a symbol of all of that.

 

[j66kicker]

The exact quote is

"Edwards says she emulates her game off Candace Parker’s (“she’s really versatile, dynamic, kind of an in-and-out player, which is what I am as well"), though her favorite player is Kobe Bryant, for his relentlessness and grit."

I view her thoughts very positively. She was not lured by some long since past historical reputation but what is the best place for her complete development.

Hmmmm... This may take me a while to get over. Struggled a little with the Evina thing, but yikes - CP as a role model? (I'll probably deal with it at some point - I finally warmed up to Roger Clemens and Johnny Damon when they came to the Yankees, but it took a few years).

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Hmmmm... This may take me a while to get over. Struggled a little with the Evina thing, but yikes - CP as a role model? (I'll probably deal with it at some point - I finally warmed up to Roger Clemens and Johnny Damon when they came to the Yankees, but it took a few years).

Nothing wrong with wanting to emulate Parker's offensive game. Defensively, I'd suggest Edwards will be significantly better.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Alydar, you will be happy to know that the Courant changed the headline to:

UConn women’s basketball commit Aaliyah Edwards, who looked up to fellow Canadian Kia Nurse says she liked Huskies ‘competitive mentality’

UConn women’s basketball commit Aaliyah Edwards, who looked up to fellow Canadian Kia Nurse says she liked Huskies ‘competitive mentality’

Growing up, Aaliyah Edwards always looked up to Kia Nurse. Nurse was a logical idol for Edwards, who is originally from Kingston, Ontario. The former UConn standout, first-round WNBA draft pick, an…

www.courant.com

 

[MilfordHusky]

Aint no mystery there.

Though it should be noted that Morgan Tuck did get to wear a head band! CD is weakening. I imagine that tattoos will be allowed by her in about 25 years.

Players are now referring to Geno as "Coach Geno" or even "Geno." It used to be "Coach" or "Coach Auriemma."