Kia Nurse

[Buzzyboy]

from Jim Fuller's blog: http://elmcitytoeaglevillenhr.blogspot.com/2014/09/special-night-for-future-uconn-teammates.html

Dolson mentioned that more than one player on the U.S. bench raved about what they saw from the 18-year-old Nurse.

"She is definitely a big guard, she brings a lot and is skilled player," U.S. guard Lindsay Whalen said. "She has a very big future, it will be fun to see her grow and continue to get better. She is going to have a chance her with the national team to keep getting better and play against some great competition."

How great is it to hear players like Lindsey speaking in those positive terms about a young girl who has yet to start her freshman year at UConn. Does that bode well for us or WHAT!!! Her international experience is going to really show heavily in her play this freshman year. I think all the positive talk we heard before she actually committed to UConn about her play and her maturity were totally correct. I have no question she'll be getting a considerable amount of playing time this year though I am confident she won't be the only freshman to do so. I think Geno will find a way to get these young women experience in a number of games that are won early. I'm pumped about this year for so many reasons. To have such a talented class of guards coming in is awesome and the experience they gain this year on top of the stupendous class we get next year is going to have Tony searching for adjectives for the dominance of UConn women's basketball over the next four or five years plus.

 

[Kibitzer]

And the experience they gain this year on top of the stupendous class we get next year is going to have Tony searching for adjectives for the dominance of UConn women's basketball over the next four or five years plus.

It's a tuff job but Tony will do it.

 

[Buzzyboy]

I was most encouraged by Nurse making perimeter shots last night. That has been a question mark based on what I've seen from her. The FIBA 3-point line is beyond the NCAA line. Team Canada also runs a similar offense to what Geno runs so she'll be used to the concepts. It's hard not to be excited about the type of player she can become under Geno's tutelage and playing with a terrific group of college players. I can hear Doris Burke now: "pro-ready body; comports herself beyond her years."

How great is that to hear about an incoming recruit. The part about "maturity beyond her years" almost would suggest someone like Sue Bird who from the first moment on the court at Storrs comported herself in that very same manner. I'm not necessarily suggesting the she would ever be the player that Sue was but really, who knows????? I don't think you can ever have too many good guards who play stellar defense. Beyond that, her being a six footer will be helpful because opposing guards continue to get bigger and bigger.

 

[pap49cba]

Well, much to my surprise, I haven't seen a single "Nurse is over-rated" comment but then I don't visit the orange board.

 

[Buzzyboy]

I was most encouraged by Nurse making perimeter shots last night. That has been a question mark based on what I've seen from her. The FIBA 3-point line is beyond the NCAA line. Team Canada also runs a similar offense to what Geno runs so she'll be used to the concepts. It's hard not to be excited about the type of player she can become under Geno's tutelage and playing with a terrific group of college players. I can hear Doris Burke now: "pro-ready body; comports herself beyond her years."

How great is that to hear about an incoming recruit. The part about "maturity beyond her years" almost would suggest someone like Sue Bird who from the first moment on the court at Storrs comported herself in that very same manner. I'm not necessarily suggesting the she would ever be the player that Sue was but really, who knows????? I don't think you can ever have too many good guards who play stellar defense. Beyond that, her being a six footer will be helpful because opposing guards continue to get bigger and bigger.

 

[Buzzyboy]

It's a tuff job but Tony will do it.

You are Sooooooooooooo right! I've never met anyone so positive but a great deal of his hyperbole is totally justified. Geno and Chris have kicked butt for many years to make this far and away the best women's basketball program in the history of women's college basketball. Who would have thought that in 1989 or 1990, just a few short years into their coaching career???? They had attained some success, to be sure, but to have expected then what really kicked in a few short years later, would have been considered far fetched. Kerry Bascom really was the catalyst, more than Rebecca, into transforming UConn in the minds and hearts of people outside of New England. Were there no Kerry Bascom, there would not have been a Rebecca Lobo.

 

[UcMiami]

How great is that to hear about an incoming recruit. The part about "maturity beyond her years" almost would suggest someone like Sue Bird who from the first moment on the court at Storrs comported herself in that very same manner. I'm not necessarily suggesting the she would ever be the player that Sue was but really, who knows????? I don't think you can ever have too many good guards who play stellar defense. Beyond that, her being a six footer will be helpful because opposing guards continue to get bigger and bigger.

I actually think in terms of maturity Nurse is probably further advanced than Sue was - skills is another story.
And while Nurse is obviously getting the attention right now, I am really curious to see how Ekmark handles this first year as she too has traveled a much different road than most college freshman.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I saw the comment from Lindsay a couple of days ago and thought it was nice. It just hit me that the source of the remark is a hockey player and arguably the most hard-nosed guard around. To me, that makes the remark more impressive.

 

[VAMike23]

I saw the comment from Lindsay a couple of days ago and thought it was nice. It just hit me that the source of the remark is a hockey player and arguably the most hard-nosed guard around. To me, that makes the remark more impressive.

Lindsay is a bit of a bull in a china shop, isn't she?

In a good way.

 

[pap49cba]

Lindsay is a bit of a bull in a china shop, isn't she?

In a good way.

I'll bet Geno would have LOVED to coach Lindsey in college. His kind of player. "When they smack you, you smack 'em back!"

 

[rugbymate]

Lindsey kind of has a similar game to Jason Kidd....selfless and a winner.... HOF lock

 

[Dougie]

How great is that to hear about an incoming recruit. The part about "maturity beyond her years" almost would suggest someone like Sue Bird who from the first moment on the court at Storrs comported herself in that very same manner. I'm not necessarily suggesting the she would ever be the player that Sue was but really, who knows????? I don't think you can ever have too many good guards who play stellar defense. Beyond that, her being a six footer will be helpful because opposing guards continue to get bigger and bigger.

Did you say "comported"? Only teasing.

 

[uconnfan68]

For a teenanger to be playing against Professional Womens BB players I thought Kia Nurse was terrific. She had good poise, she handled the pressure and provide pressure on defense. She is experienced at the next level and she hasnt played a college game yet. I like what I saw. She hit her open shots and handled the ball very well and shes only a teenager. We've got a good point guard for then next 4 years.

We really only saw her in a half-court style game. Canada couldn't afford to try to run with the US team. College will be much different, including officiating. That said, I suspected she would be a starter this year based on what I had already read on the Canadian national team. It might be hard to move MJ out of the point though.

 

[UConnChapette]

I think Stewie is about 6'4". Tina is about 6'3". Kia Nurse is 6'0".

I think that Kia is an inch taller than Bria Hartley.

So Nurse is 5'8" ??

Almost.

They are all taller than me

 

[Sonny44]

I saw the comment from Lindsay a couple of days ago and thought it was nice. It just hit me that the source of the remark is a hockey player and arguably the most hard-nosed guard around. To me, that makes the remark more impressive.

A female John Ferguson?

 

[meyers7]

Have we forgotten Stacy "Bam-Bam" Hansmeyer? Jamelle Elliott?

No, but they were not in the 2010-2013 time frame.

And as I recall at least one of the Valley girls was not a shrinking violet while on the court!

Neither were they.

 

[BigBird]

I want to go back and re-view the game. I think I might have praised Kia a bit too lightly. I was likely looking at her solely on shooting offense, and not her defense, and her distribution of the ball. I should know better.