Jalen’s mindset

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Yesterday was the most relaxed this kid has ever played. Forced almost nothing, set up his teammates, and had a great time. It was evident that he no longer felt the burden of his giant expectations and was just out there “hooping.”

He has felt immense pressure to be “the man” and “the next great UConn guard.” This year especially it must have weighed on him.

If he goes out there and just has fun I think we have a few more games left to watch him.

Oh, and three years ago today..,

 

[McLovin]

You're right on the money. I was watching the game and agree he looked like a different kid. I thought what was really impressive is he "just hooped" as you said. He passed the ball so well, but took / made shots when we needed. If he facilitates for his teammates like that this week and just embraces the moment, we could have a shot at making the NIT (or just maybe maybe something more....)

 

[Waquoit]

Problem is the 1st tournament game is at 1pm.

 

[ZenConn]

Jalen, please no scooters or 7-11 wings.

Lets go!

 

[UConn_Top_Dog]

Absolutely agree. The game was just flowing through him. Maybe sitting on the side lines this past month made him open his eyes and look at the game from a different perspective, not only from a basketball/plays perspective but also it showed him how easily the game can be taken away from him and how we are all human and we can get hurt. He learned not to take the game for granted. It's a gift that needs to be respected. He even was asked in an interview if he has ever had an injury like this, and he said "no never". This may have been a real wake up call for him, that you really need to love this game to play it.

 

[RF79]

This season JA definitely tried to do way too much and it kinda bit him in the rear. The game against ecu whether it was the last game or the injury took some pressure off of him but this was the first game where he didn’t seem to force anything and we saw what we were looking for all season.