Jana El Alfy Enrolling Early

[Alydar]

Bettencourt made the jump from EuroU18 to WCBB but is a ways from being considered a contributor. Whether El Alfy can contribute this semester will become clear by her 2nd practice. But if she is coming to work and learn then it's a good move. A motivated player can get stronger and learn a lot in 4 months.

 

[RoadMaster]

Wow. I saw a tweet that vaguely suggested this, but was focused on coffee and breakfast and couldn't find it again, and didn't want to post speculative info.

I saw this one earlier today..

 

[Zarathustra]

I don't think she will play this year and burn a year of availability. She will probably just practice with the team if they want her to, but as far as playing, I doubt it.

Jana learns the system and what it means to play for UCONN in real time! However, if
she does play this year (I'm guessing 'no') and she "burns' an eligibility year it might.
not make a difference in her career plans (that she means to play pro in
Europe / WNBA and for her National Team. Good luck to JANA!

 

[CTtoSanDiego]

I posited this two months ago, and got excoriated for merely suggesting the possibility. I do not know whether she will play or not, but neither does anyone else at this point. Either way, it's good to have her on campus

 

[hard2please]

i think (and i did not stay in a holiday inn express last night) that shes coming to try to play now if she can and worry about the extra years later on.

 

[oldude]

I am sure that Geno, Jana and Jana’s father/coach on the national team have discussed the potential benefits of Jana’s early arrival on campus, and whether or not she will or should get any PT this season. The decision to have Jana arrive early will, at a minimum, allow her to practice at the highest level, under the supervision of the best coaching staff in WBB, while getting accustomed to living and going to school in a foreign country.

With Dorka moving on, UConn will
need a center next season. The options are Amari, Jana or someone out of the transfer portal. Jana just upped her chances of earning significant PT, and possibly the starting job with her decision to enroll early.

 

[Skeets]

Getting a semester ahead in academics is a good thing. Practicing and learning UConn basketball is good thing. Being available in case of a disaster is (maybe) a good thing. Actually playing? I don't know if that is a slam dunk good thing. Pros and Cons all over the place.

If she plays, I hope her spring has better luck than Saylor (who was not 100% most of the time).

 

[MSGRET]

Most likely the TBD is dependent on getting approval from the NCAA and maybe even the Big East on the eligibility of her playing. I thought I read somewhere that she has something like 10 days from the start of a semester to enroll to be eligible to participate in sport activities.

 

[Centerstream]

I could be wrong, but she could still use a covid year right? so even if she plays this season, she could still use the covid extra year, which will still give her 4 years. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what they will do

I don't believe COVID years are applicable for new enrollees. I think the last eligible class are this year's junior class, the graduating class of 2024.

 

[Dogstar]

She participated in the 2022 FIBA U18 African Championship with Egypt, averaging 24.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. The year before, El Alfy led her country to gold at the U17 African Championship.

This past summer, she participated in a Basketball Without Borders event in Cairo, which is organized by the NBA and FIBA. El Alfy was taken with the first pick of the BWB draft by Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and earned MVP honors.

Quite a resume, you had my curiosity and now you have my attention.

 

[cgshuskie]

This is a great development for Uconn. Things are coming into place. While she likely will not play this year, practicing with the team, getting to travel in the USA and witnessing WCBB up close and personal will be of great benefit to Ms. El Alfy. She said in an earlier post that her favorite player is Breanna Stewart. Well Husky fans, fasten your seat belts......

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Most likely the TBD is dependent on getting approval from the NCAA and maybe even the Big East on the eligibility of her playing. I thought I read somewhere that she has something like 10 days from the start of a semester to enroll to be eligible to participate in sport activities.

Practice would be included in a sport activity. It sounds like she’s already enrolled and the semester started less than a week ago.

 

[visitingcock]

I could be wrong, but she could still use a covid year right? so even if she plays this season, she could still use the covid extra year, which will still give her 4 years. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what they will do

No. She doesn’t get a Covid year,

 

[Kaizen]

With Dorka moving on, UConn will
need a center next season. The options are Amari, Jana or someone out of the transfer portal. Jana just upped her chances of earning significant PT, and possibly the starting job with her decision to enroll early.

Jana is 6'4" and only 17 years old, born Sep. 20, 2005. She can gain 1-2 inch more. She will be a very powerful center next season.

 

[DrummerDee]

I don't think she will play this year and burn a year of availability. She will probably just practice with the team if they want her to, but as far as playing, I doubt it.

Prosper came in early for ND, and she is not using up a year of eligibility. They've talked about this several times during games.
Why would it be any different for ELAlfy?

 

[Bills Fan]

I am sure that Geno, Jana and Jana’s father/coach on the national team have discussed the potential benefits of Jana’s early arrival on campus, and whether or not she will or should get any PT this season. The decision to have Jana arrive early will, at a minimum, allow her to practice at the highest level, under the supervision of the best coaching staff in WBB, while getting accustomed to living and going to school in a foreign country.

With Dorka moving on, UConn will
need a center next season. The options are Amari, Jana or someone out of the transfer portal. Jana just upped her chances of earning significant PT, and possibly the starting job with her decision to enroll early.

oldude you are forgetting ICE and if needed a few minutes a game from Liya. It will be between Jana, ICE and a player out of the portal if they meet ALL of Geno's requirements.

 

[oldude]

oldude you are forgetting ICE and if needed a few minutes a game from Liya. It will be between Jana, ICE and a player out of the portal if they meet ALL of Geno's requirements.

IMO Ice & Aaliyah are forwards. UConn can certainly get by with either of them playing center vs BE teams and many P5 programs around the country. But when the Huskies face the towering front lines of SC or Stanford, I think it’s essential that they have a true center in the lineup.

 

[Dogstar]

I am sure that Geno, Jana and Jana’s father/coach on the national team have discussed the potential benefits of Jana’s early arrival on campus, and whether or not she will or should get any PT this season. The decision to have Jana arrive early will, at a minimum, allow her to practice at the highest level, under the supervision of the best coaching staff in WBB, while getting accustomed to living and going to school in a foreign country.

With Dorka moving on, UConn will
need a center next season. The options are Amari, Jana or someone out of the transfer portal. Jana just upped her chances of earning significant PT, and possibly the starting job with her decision to enroll early.

How abt Ice?

 

[Next 12]

Wonderful news for Uconn after all that has happened to the team. There were many posts about doubting if she will start this year. My thought is the 7 player rule and that if one more player of the 7 gets hurt , then JANA will be a God send in order to keep playing. Hoped I didn't jinx the team with this comment. According to what I've been reading about her, she should step in and do well as her BB skills are supposed to be of upper level and she should help. Can't hurt. GO HUSKIES!!!

 

[Carnac]

I don't think she will play this year and burn a year of availability. She will probably just practice with the team if they want her to, but as far as playing, I doubt it.

Me too.

 

[oldude]

How abt Ice?

Ice = Forward

 

[Dogstar]

Ice = Forward

Playing center is not always measured by height, sometimes it's measured with the fight.
Aneesha Morrow

 

[Bone Dog]

I don't think she will play this year and burn a year of availability. She will probably just practice with the team if they want her to, but as far as playing, I doubt it.

I'm with you and @Carnac and @cgshuskie . Just participating in practices will be huge. We don't even have enough bodies for a full 5 on 5 practice session now. Plus, just learning the system will be important. And maybe getting an academic head start so her workload is reduced in future years is important too.

I don't know the eligibility rules if she does get into a few games this season. Can she play less than some number and still have 4 years? Is this what Saylor was able to do?

Whatever else comes from this, I'm sure she'll bring a big emotional lift to the rest of the team knowing she's there, getting to know her and accept her into the fold. There are just so many positive dimensions to this development beyond just playing in a few games.

 

[oldude]

Playing center is not always measured by height, sometimes it's measured with the fight.
Aneesha Morrow

That sounds nice. But Morrow hasn’t played against SC or Stanford.

 

[Blue Huskie]

Hey another healthy player is another healthy player. Even if she can't contribute much right now , she can posssibly soak up a few minutes and some experience here and there in blowouts.

 

[Next 12]

Playing center is not always measured by height, sometimes it's measured with the fight.
Aneesha Morrow

Gabby Williams.

 

[Bone Dog]

That earlier comment was me trying to remain calm. But OMG!!!, everyone in Storrs must be weeping for joy. It's like Jana is riding in on a white horse.

Jana to the rescue!!!

She and Dorka and Amari and Aaliyah and Ice are going to become quite a crew. I hope they all become best friends.

 

[Dogstar]

That sounds nice. But Morrow hasn’t played against SC or Stanford.

Would love to see her battle those bigs, but we beat Stanford last year with Liv, and while I have love and respect for her she had the killer instinct of a turtle, imo gotta have some Dawg in ya to bang down low, Morrow at 6-1 definitely holds her own as UConn has witnessed.

 

[Bone Dog]

Would love to see her battle those bigs, but we beat Stanford last year with Liv, and while I have love and respect for her she had the killer instinct of a turtle, imo gotta have some Dawg in ya to bang down low, Morrow at 6-1 definitely holds her own as UConn has witnessed.

I wonder how Morrow would do against Brink and Iriafen. It's possible she'd get them in foul trouble right away, especially if the DePaul guards actually hit their 3s.

 

[Dogstar]

I wonder how Morrow would do against Brink and Iriafen. It's possible she'd get them in foul trouble right away, especially if the DePaul guards actually hit their 3s.

IF.......two letters but a big word