'I'm back home': Why Kayleigh Heckel transferred to UConn

[BRS24]

Gift article- I'm Back Home

Some interesting comments regarding the intensity of workouts.

“I think the biggest thing I take away from that game is just like the passion that the fans have,” Heckel said Tuesday afternoon inside Werth Champions Center. “I think it was one of the most difficult environments we played in last year.​

​

“I think that we all just really love each other,” Heckel said. “And I feel like even only being here for a few weeks, I think I already feel the love here, and I think that it is really cool how close the team is and how much that we just really want to be a part of each other's success.”​

​

Heckel said the hardest part of the transition so far has been keeping up with UConn’s level of intensity in practice. The team has been focused on playing pickup games to help establish on-court chemistry early and get a feel for everyone’s playing style. Heckel said she’s already been challenged by Auriemma and Dailey and is enjoying the heightened competition in practice.​

​

“(The intensity) is a lot higher than where I was previously at,” Heckel said. “… I'm just excited that there's people that really care about my development, and they're going to try and make me the best version of myself.”​

 

[Bone Dog]

Awesome and very revealing remarks. I bet KK is a big part of the love Kayleigh feels. And when she says they all want to be a part of each other’s success, it’s hard to imagine she’s not thinking of KK in particular. They met and bonded at Kelsey Plum’s camp and that probably had a lot to do with her coming to Storrs.

It also makes you wonder what could have been going on at USC for her to feel this way. She loves that Geno and CD are demanding more from her. I bet that’s what KK told her to expect. It makes me wonder if the presence of Juju and Kiki made it impossible for Lindsay to challenge the freshmen enough.

This line was especially tellling: “I'm just excited that there's people that really care about my development…”

 

[victor64]

It probably isn't the case but it seems like Kayleigh had to convince Geno and Chris that she could add something to the team rather than the other way around.

Happy that she chose UConn because she is very talented but I consider her a luxury. This team would have been great rather she chose UConn or not.

Geno and Chris still have the knack to find talented kids who want to be coached hard. You don't feel a sense of entitlement or privilege with anybody on the roster.

 

[HuskyNan]

Awesome and very revealing remarks. I bet KK is a big part of the love Kayleigh feels. And when she says they all want to be a part of each other’s success, it’s hard to imagine she’s not thinking of KK in particular. They met and bonded at Kelsey Plum’s camp and that probably had a lot to do with her coming to Storrs.

It also makes you wonder what could have been going on at USC for her to feel this way. She loves that Geno and CD are demanding more from her. I bet that’s what KK told her to expect. It makes me wonder if the presence of Juju and Kiki made it impossible for Lindsay to challenge the freshmen enough.

This line was especially tellling: “I'm just excited that there's people that really care about my development…”

Interestingly, Kayleigh said that Caroline has been one of her mentors and is a team leader. See her comments in the Summer Media Availability thread

 

[RockyMTblue2]

It was gratifying to read this:
“(The intensity) is a lot higher than where I was previously at,” Heckel said. “… I'm just excited that there's people that really care about my development, and they're going to try and make me the best version of myself.”

That's a big statement, but that is what I see most of the time from teams on the left coast and what we saw in the NCAAs this spring. Blame it on that damn west coast weather I guess.

 

[BBallF]

Interestingly, Kayleigh said that Caroline has been one of her mentors and is a team leader. See her comments in the Summer Media Availability thread

Not surprising from watching small snips of the videos. It's Caroline with the board showing plays. I think she has matured a great deal over the course of her injuries and Geno has said she is the loudest voice on the team now. I truly wish that she is able to play significant minutes for us. I have said she will start and that would mean she is back to good form and that in and of itself means another really difficult to defend weapon. Actually just being in the regular rotation will be a huge plus. Let's remember that she beat Azzi in high school in a 3 point shooting contest. She is extremely talented and a fearless competitor and I think is someone that everyone on the team respects and admires.

 

[Bone Dog]

Interestingly, Kayleigh said that Caroline has been one of her mentors and is a team leader. See her comments in the Summer Media Availability thread

What strikes me is that Caroline and Ayanna may be the only players she hasn’t encountered before. And Blanca, too, when she arrives. And her fondness for Sarah is interesting too. I have a feeling her preference was determined a lot sooner than any of us anticipated.

 

[Bigboote]

. . .

It also makes you wonder what could have been going on at USC for her to feel this way. She loves that Geno and CD are demanding more from her. I bet that’s what KK told her to expect. It makes me wonder if the presence of Juju and Kiki made it impossible for Lindsay to challenge the freshmen enough.

This line was especially tellling: “I'm just excited that there's people that really care about my development…”

I really like Lindsay Gottlieb, as I really like Gary Blair. But what’s been happening at U$C with Juju reminds me of what happened at Texas A&M with Chennedy Carter. Blair all-but declared publically “This is Chennedy’s team,” and lost two of his best players in Anriel Howard and Dani Williams. Fast forward, and Gottlieb has lost all (or at least most) of last year’s freshmen.

 

[Vancat]

I like this girl!

 

[Next 12]

Kayleigh is definitely where she wants to be and WILL be a factor in Uconn winning No13. She has the Uconn attitude of team first and forever. It was great to hear her say that Caroline is taking charge to some of the players. Caroline has to know the Uconn way of playing down pat and would make a perfect Pseudo coach on the bench.AGAIN this team is a team of DESTINY. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!

 

[Cuango]

Awesome and very revealing remarks. I bet KK is a big part of the love Kayleigh feels. And when she says they all want to be a part of each other’s success, it’s hard to imagine she’s not thinking of KK in particular. They met and bonded at Kelsey Plum’s camp and that probably had a lot to do with her coming to Storrs.

It also makes you wonder what could have been going on at USC for her to feel this way. She loves that Geno and CD are demanding more from her. I bet that’s what KK told her to expect. It makes me wonder if the presence of Juju and Kiki made it impossible for Lindsay to challenge the freshmen enough.

This line was especially telling: “I'm just excited that there's people that really care about my development…”

Hard to imagine a true point guard, a team oriented player, being happy on a team where they are actually coached to focus on getting the ball to one player! Let’s face it, that was an unhealthy team environment. One that was unfair to everyone concerned, including JuJu herself.

Just imagine how our team would have fractured and become a lesser one had Geno built our entire game plan around making Sarah score 26+ ppg. Of course he would never do such a thing as he knows that even the greatest player can only maximize her abilities by playing as part of a greater whole and that making other players better is actually an important skill in it’s own right.

I can only imagine the outside pressure that must have been brought to bear on Gottlieb, (a pretty good coach who knows better) in order for her to play that way. I am especially sad for JuJu herself as I believe she is/was also playing under constant pressure to score, score, score! While I do not know much about her, I’m guessing she would be much happier playing the game the right way. Perhaps I’m wrong but that style of play almost inevitably leads to resentment from other players who feel left out.

Even the tragic play where JuJu was injured was an example of the “wrong” coaching on that team. She had a completely unguarded, wide open teammate streaking to the basket next to her and simply put her head down and tried to score. Just think what would happen here if one of our players (even Sarah or Azzi) did that! They would immediately be on the bench! Of course, that did not cause her injury but one has to wonder about all the games where USC was up 35+ in the fourth and she was still in the game trying to get her 27 points. That, I would posit, is why K9 is now (happily) playing for Geno and UConn!

 

[EricLA]

Hard to imagine a true point guard, a team oriented player, being happy on a team where they are actually coached to focus on getting the ball to one player! Let’s face it, that was an unhealthy team environment. One that was unfair to everyone concerned, including JuJu herself.

Just imagine how our team would have fractured and become a lesser one had Geno built our entire game plan around making Sarah score 26+ ppg. Of course he would never do such a thing as he knows that even the greatest player can only maximize her abilities by playing as part of a greater whole and that making other players better is actually an important skill in it’s own right.

I can only imagine the outside pressure that must have been brought to bear on Gottlieb, (a pretty good coach who knows better) in order for her to play that way. I am especially sad for JuJu herself as I believe she is/was also playing under constant pressure to score, score, score! While I do not know much about her, I’m guessing she would be much happier playing the game the right way. Perhaps I’m wrong but that style of play almost inevitably leads to resentment from other players who feel left out.

Even the tragic play where JuJu was injured was an example of the “wrong” coaching on that team. She had a completely unguarded, wide open teammate streaking to the basket next to her and simply put her head down and tried to score. Just think what would happen here if one of our players (even Sarah or Azzi) did that! They would immediately be on the bench! Of course, that did not cause her injury but one has to wonder about all the games where USC was up 35+ in the fourth and she was still in the game trying to get her 27 points. That, I would posit, is why K9 is now (happily) playing for Geno and UConn!

Good stuff. I know this is about K9 but... on Juju... An example was used about regarding Chennedy Carter - and look what happened to her in the W. Not saying Juju has the same personality issues Chennedy does, but players who are volume shooters in college rarely can duplicate that in the W. They HAVE to learn team basketball and up their skill level.

Juju has tons of talent, and while capable of dishing assists, she's generally a "selfish" player as noted by your comments regarding her injury. I do think Juju will be successful in the W, but with an "average" shooting %, she certainly won't get as many shots, and offenses will NOT be designed around her. It will be a huge adjustment.

As for Kayleigh, kudos to her for not badmouthing the situation at U$C. I'm sure there are a lot of reasons so many left the team and we probably will never know the minutia, but all you have to do is listen to her talk about how thrilled she is to be at UConn to know she's home, and happy! I know she's going to be a huge fan favorite and a LOT of fun to watch! Her and KK as our PG's - OMG. Not a better 1-2 tandem in college basketball IMHO.

 

[RoadMaster]

Swipe..

 

[WiseWillie]

Not surprising from watching small snips of the videos. It's Caroline with the board showing plays. I think she has matured a great deal over the course of her injuries and Geno has said she is the loudest voice on the team now. I truly wish that she is able to play significant minutes for us. I have said she will start and that would mean she is back to good form and that in and of itself means another really difficult to defend weapon. Actually just being in the regular rotation will be a huge plus. Let's remember that she beat Azzi in high school in a 3 point shooting contest. She is extremely talented and a fearless competitor and I think is someone that everyone on the team respects and admires.

 

[WiseWillie]

This thread is about the BY welcome to Kayleigh, but since you bring up Caroline with the play board, if her journey doesn't take her to the W, her b-ball knowledge and demeanor would definitely make a great college coach. Besides of course the talented coaches at UConn there are some alums who have been and are in the coaching ranks who could provide a few pointers.

 

[Vancat]

Maybe this is mentioned somewhere already, but do we know why she had no interest in UConn coming out of high school (or the other way around)? Or maybe there was interest.

 

[Vancat]

You have indeed ruminated on the subject.

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

I really do believe that Heckel saw something in Uconn that really attracted her, even during their matches. To be honest, I thought she was going to go to Notre Dame. She would of had no real competition for the pg spot. However, her choosing Uconn tells me that she really wants to be challenged and compete for playing time in a team is seriously loaded with or without her. I have a lot of respect for her decision. I always thought she would be a great Uconn player but maybe wanted to try out another environment before making it official.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Kayleigh's candor as to her reasons is incredibly rare. I was surprised that Gottlieb, who I respect, ran a program which treated players like widgets, without individualize program work and ran a program which was substantially less strenuous than the Huskies. Were they just so enamored of JuJu that they just let it slid last year? Oh well, there loss is our gain and so far Kayleigh is loving it.

 

[mhshuskies]

Gift article- I'm Back Home

Some interesting comments regarding the intensity of workouts.

“I think the biggest thing I take away from that game is just like the passion that the fans have,” Heckel said Tuesday afternoon inside Werth Champions Center. “I think it was one of the most difficult environments we played in last year.​

​

“I think that we all just really love each other,” Heckel said. “And I feel like even only being here for a few weeks, I think I already feel the love here, and I think that it is really cool how close the team is and how much that we just really want to be a part of each other's success.”​

​

Heckel said the hardest part of the transition so far has been keeping up with UConn’s level of intensity in practice. The team has been focused on playing pickup games to help establish on-court chemistry early and get a feel for everyone’s playing style. Heckel said she’s already been challenged by Auriemma and Dailey and is enjoying the heightened competition in practice.​

​

“(The intensity) is a lot higher than where I was previously at,” Heckel said. “… I'm just excited that there's people that really care about my development, and they're going to try and make me the best version of myself.”​

Does the last line say it all on why she transferred? She wanted to have the opportunity to fully develop her game rather than just be in a supporting role for a super star?

 

[oldude]

Does the last line say it all on why she transferred? She wanted to have the opportunity to fully develop her game rather than just be in a supporting role for a super star?

I think that sentiment could apply to just about any USC player not named JuJu.

 

[Vancat]

And again we see why Geno & CD and the program is THE BEST!

 

[Bone Dog]

She wanted to have the opportunity to fully develop her game

Not just the ‘opportunity’, but more importantly she wanted support from the coaching staff, ie from people who really care about her development. How on earth did Lindsay not devote her staff resources to this?

 

[oldude]

Not just the ‘opportunity’, but more importantly she wanted support from the coaching staff, ie from people who really care about her development. How on earth did Lindsay not devote her staff resources to this?

Sometimes when you’re chasing the brass ring, you take shortcuts. Lindsay professes to be something of a protege of Geno’s. But after getting JuJu, she signed a bunch of McD AA’s as well as several top transfers with a clear goal of Winning Now! Maybe if JuJu doesn’t get injured, she reaches that goal.

But once USC was eliminated by UConn, the cracks in the plan were laid bare. Complaints behind the scene about a two-tiered system that favored JuJu & Iriafen at the expense of the supporting cast. Lack of development of what some pundits rated the #1 recruiting class in the nation. Inevitably, players headed for the exits.

Lindsay is still young and has a chance to learn from this experience. Assuming she values Geno’s input, she needs to remind herself of the one overriding principle for the Huskies over 30+ seasons…….TEAM!

 

[Bone Dog]

Sometimes when you’re chasing the brass ring, you take shortcuts. Lindsay professes to be something of a protege of Geno’s. But after getting JuJu, she signed a bunch of McD AA’s as well as several top transfers with a clear goal of Winning Now! Maybe if JuJu doesn’t get injured, she reaches that goal.

But once USC was eliminated by UConn, the cracks in the plan were laid bare. Complaints behind the scene about a two-tiered system that favored JuJu & Iriafen at the expense of the supporting cast. Lack of development of what some pundits rated the #1 recruiting class in the nation. Inevitably, players headed for the exits.

Lindsay is still young and has a chance to learn from this experience. Assuming she values Geno’s input, she needs to remind herself of the one overriding principle for the Huskies over 30+ seasons…….TEAM!

Good reading of the situation. I’m rooting for Lindsay, but she’s gotta snap out of it soon.

And as for Juju, my decidedly unscientific prediction is that she will not win an NC as long as Kayleigh is at UConn. Same goes for the Betts sisters.

[and don’t worry, I’m mainly using Kayleigh as a marker for Sarah, but Kayleigh will have a hand in all of it.]