Joey California

[Huskyforlife]

I was dead wrong on this kid, didn’t think he’d cut it in serious minutes at this level. His offensive game is much more complete than just spot up shooting, his skills are gonna keep him in the rotation. He’s giving me Kromah vibes, obviously severely different games. Staff deserves a gold star for pulling this kid outa left field.

 

[Apollo]

agreed - kid has been the biggest surprise for me. Started off a little rough with TO's and D, but seems to be cleaning that stuff up game by game. His 3's are daggers

 

[Huskybass]

11 points, 4 assists. Impact player. Veteran. Thought he looked better than some of our more beloved guys tonight, namely Ajax and Alex. I say that as a huge fan of both of them.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Offensive game is there and he held up way better than I expected defensively (and way better than he had a couple of the earlier games). He was on the court a lot with Clingan and I liked that pairing because Clingan as help D in the paint covers up a lot of his defensive deficiencies.

 

[Deleted at users request]

I said he was the best perimeter scorer out of him Diarra, and Alleyne but if he keeps this up he might be the most complete one on the team. Between him and Newton.

 

[TheChamps990411]

11 points, 4 assists. Impact player. Veteran. Thought he looked better than some of our more beloved guys tonight, namely Ajax and Alex. I say that as a huge fan of both of them.

Alex was fine tonight. Hes a stretch 4 whos limited athletically who had to face off to athletic 7 footers basically. Its a tough ask for a freshmen. Ajax absolutely stunk up the place with some of the worst passing decisions ive seen a while.

 

[Dove]

He is an element seen on National Championship teams.

 

[uconnfan68]

They all contributed. Wish Samson was available though.

 

[80shusky]

Really great pickup by the coaches. Offensively he gets it done and can handle the ball in the open court. He is confident. He looks like a guy you see off the bench on really good teams.

 

[auror]

I admit I also didn't think he'd really crack the rotation. He's been better than Alleyne in a lot of ways, who is rushing his shots. Joey C has the confidence to take his time, set his feet, and knock down shots.

He can make the open shot, he's savvy. He can occasionally take it to the rock, and is an above average passer. They went after him on D a couple times, and they got to him once or twice, but he forced a couple misses, too. Trying to come up with a comp, but it's tough. We usually have more athletic guys. Might have to go for a different team. Mike Nardi?

 

[Palatine]

Alex was fine tonight. Hes a stretch 4 whos limited athletically who had to face off to athletic 7 footers basically. Its a tough ask for a freshmen. Ajax absolutely stunk up the place with some of the worst passing decisions ive seen a while.

5TOs, but also 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Also missed 2 FTs.

 

[mussels]

So I called up the Captain
"Please bring me my wine"
He said, 'We haven't had that spirit here
Since 1999”
And still those voices are calling from far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say
Welcome to Joey California
Such a lovely shot (such a lovely shot)
Such a lovely shot
They livin' it up with Joey California
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise)
Bring your alibis

 

[caw]

agreed - kid has been the biggest surprise for me. Started off a little rough with TO's and D, but seems to be cleaning that stuff up game by game. His 3's are daggers

Having AJax and Hawkins have helped him in regards to both TO and D I think. He has fewer ball handling responsibilities and AJax and Hawkins help a ton defensively with their length and speed.

 

[Kitaman]

Always nice to see a player hungry for minutes, busting their butt and then taking minutes from other good players.

Just saying the kid is working his arse off and getting rewarded.

In the final minutes needing a 3 we got:

Joey
Karaban
Newton
Sanogo or Alleyne
Hawkins

 

[jibsey]

The kid can play. Also Newton is better than I expected he would be.

 

[Kolumbo]

Joey Catalina

He Builds Excitement

 

[uconnever]

I was dead wrong on this kid, didn’t think he’d cut it in serious minutes at this level. His offensive game is much more complete than just spot up shooting, his skills are gonna keep him in the rotation. He’s giving me Kromah vibes, obviously severely different games. Staff deserves a gold star for pulling this kid outa left field.

I agree about Kromah, they are different but after that early season tourney, I thought man we are deep. Joey C has me feeling the same way about this ye tonight, we might win the whole thing.

 

[BoukofJames]

So I called up the Captain
"Please bring me my wine"
He said, 'We haven't had that spirit here
Since 1999”
And still those voices are calling from far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say
Welcome to Joey California
Such a lovely shot (such a lovely shot)
Such a lovely shot
They livin' it up with Joey California
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise)
Bring your alibis

With this team’s ceiling,
Put the champagne on ice
And Joey said, “we are all good shooters here,
But my stroke is nice”

 

[Icehawk]

Agreed, I wasn't hot on him the first few games but he's shown real Husky spirit with max effort on the floor - his D isn't the best but he's improved it and puts in the work. I wish he'd clean up his passing a bit, he pulls an AJ like once a game but he's got good vision. His shooting... it's a delight. When he has the ball I'm thinking we've got points. 4/5 and 3/4 tonight? Yes please, may I have another?

52.9% 3p% so far. Sniper.

 

[RichCTBB]

Joey's take to the rim was a thing of beauty. He got the ball at half court and in 2 dribbles was putting up a sweet lay-in off the glass. He's got a great feel for the game.

 

[MDHuskFan]

He is what I’d expect Alex kunkle to be on a top 15 team.

And I’m only drawing that comparison as another white shooter on a big east team

 

[3rdbass]

He is what I’d expect Alex kunkle to be on a top 15 team.

And I’m only drawing that comparison as another white shooter on a big east team

I think you mean Adam Kunkel from Xavier? At least that who he reminds me of. He is just a crafty offensive player who can hit open shots. It is nice having a team of shooters for a change. It sure makes it fun to watch.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Joey's take to the rim was a thing of beauty. He got the ball at half court and in 2 dribbles was putting up a sweet lay-in off the glass. He's got a great feel for the game.

High off the glass, opposite hand no less.

 

[Ewekon]

He can play. He’s completely unafraid. He has what we call “balls”.

 

[Umami Zen]

Joey is showing the Yard why he has the green light from Dan Hurley.. Great glue guy coming off of a deep bench.

 

[ctchamps]

I admit I also didn't think he'd really crack the rotation. He's been better than Alleyne in a lot of ways, who is rushing his shots. Joey C has the confidence to take his time, set his feet, and knock down shots.

He can make the open shot, he's savvy. He can occasionally take it to the rock, and is an above average passer. They went after him on D a couple times, and they got to him once or twice, but he forced a couple misses, too. Trying to come up with a comp, but it's tough. We usually have more athletic guys. Might have to go for a different team. Mike Nardi?

I’ve stated many times my admiration for your analysis and contributions to this forum.

But I’m going to take a casual fans victory lap in stating I was buying Joey California stock when the rest of you were selling.

He’s another player who can overcome his athletic deficiencies with his bb IQ.

But the thing I like about Joey the most is how he energizes the team when he comes in the game. And the second thing I like about him is he’s a vocal floor leader. He takes the pressure off of players like Tristen and Alleyne who are quiet leaders.

 

[HuskyNan]

Joey's take to the rim was a thing of beauty. He got the ball at half court and in 2 dribbles was putting up a sweet lay-in off the glass. He's got a great feel for the game.

 

[HailUConn]

I’m happy to eat my crow and the kid really got offense game:

• 3 point threat - check
• fast break and high off glass layup from both sides - check
• passing to open man or lob to big man for a dunk — check

I’m reading Steve Kerr vibe from Joe California…

 

[husky429]

I like seeing Joey on the court with Clingan. Nice complementary skillsets. Clingans humongousness allows Joey to have more forgiveness on defense.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

He can play. He’s completely unafraid. He has what we call “balls”.

Sums up my opinion perfectly.

Knowing very little about him when he signed, I expected a good spot shooter and a decent secondary ball-handler when we needed guard depth.

His offensive game is much more "lead guard" ish than I expected and he's quickly responded to Hurley's wishes of upping his intensity. He'll likely finish the season with more PT than I imagined prior to the season starting.

Really like this pickup for UConn.