Kiah Gillespie on Maryland and UConn

[JavaMan]

Why 5-star Maryland freshman Kiah Gillespie left Connecticut to join the Terps

"A lot of people ask me about why I decided to come to Maryland, and I think they have something different that a lot of colleges don't have. They have an intense coach who likes to win. Of course, UConn, that's a great program, of course," she said. "But I think that going against what people expect you to do is kind of really different."

"I think that UConn is good," she added. "They'll always be good. But sometimes, it's something different for different people."

Auriemma's Huskies reached out to Gillespie and invited her to team practices. But UConn hadn't offered Gillespie a scholarship at the time she committed to Maryland, in August 2014. She had 30 Division I offers, the local Record-Journal reported at the time of her commitment.

"I chose Maryland because it's a great coaching staff and a really good program that's built on tradition," Gillespie said at the team's media day Tuesday. "They have great support, a great educational program, and I feel that they have a lot of tools that's going to help me be successful later on in my life."

[MORE]

 

[Bestiarius]

I hope one of Maryland's strengths is a good Coherent English course.

 

[meyers7]

I think MD is getting a good one in Gillespie. Would have been nice to have a CT recruit at UCONN, but when you have Collier, KLS and Boykins as recruits along with the current roster, there really isn't room for another W/F type.

 

[mhshuskies]

I hope one of Maryland's strengths is a good Coherent English course.

not a necessary post, maybe a bit nasty

 

[mhshuskies]

I think MD is getting a good one in Gillespie. Would have been nice to have a CT recruit at UCONN, but when you have Collier, KLS and Boykins as recruits along with the current roster, there really isn't room for another W/F type.

Could the lack of potential playing time have been considered in the decision?

 

[Dougie]

I hope one of Maryland's strengths is a good Coherent English course.

Ouch.

 

[mhshuskies]

The article said the best player to come out of CT in quite a while. Hasn't Geno been pretty critical about the way prep bb is structured in CT?

 

[easttexastrash]

not a necessary post, maybe a bit nasty

It's always an easy way to take a jab at an 18 year old girl. Well done!

 

[Carnac]

For those aren't familiar with the vitals on Kiah Gillespie

She's a 6'1" forward with a 5 star rating by ESPN.

Apache Paschal Memorial-July 2014: Agile, versatile faceup-4 prospect with a scorer's mentality; handles in transition, finishes plays on break; reads and breaks down defender, elevates with soft touch in mid-range game; physical in block, competes on glass; among the elite scoring forwards in the nation. (Olson)

Boo Williams-April 2013: Pro-frame insider brings efficient interior footwork, finishes in traffic; mobile in up tempo; active on glass, defends, outlets; a rising star. (Olson)

Note: She was the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year in 2014.

I'm not going to question why UConn had not tendered an offer to her at the time she chose Maryland. I'm sure they had their reasons. In Geno (and staff) we trust.
Those reasons could range from they didn't think she would be a good fit, to there were other potential recruits higher on their "want list", and they were reserving the remaining available scholarships for them.

As we all know, everyone can't come to UConn. I wish her all the best during her time at Maryland.

 

[mhshuskies]

Ouch.

Yeah, but if it had been anything about notre dame related it would have been OK. No shots taken at nd are too cheap, they bring it on themselves.

 

[meyers7]

Yeah, but if it had been anything about notre dame related it would have been OK. No shots taken at nd are too cheap, they bring it on themselves.

And TN.

 

[CL82]

So to sum up, a CT kid without a UConn offer made the decision to play at Maryland.

Got it. I wish her the best.

 

[CocoHusky]

I hope one of Maryland's strengths is a good Coherent English course.

If I'm not mistaken Mr.Gillespie (Kiah father) is an occasional poster on the Boneyard. Please be brave enough to respond to him when he reaches out to you!

 

[CocoHusky]

For those aren't familiar with the vitals on Kiah Gillespie

She's a 6'1" forward with a 5 star rating by ESPN.

Apache Paschal Memorial-July 2014: Agile, versatile faceup-4 prospect with a scorer's mentality; handles in transition, finishes plays on break; reads and breaks down defender, elevates with soft touch in mid-range game; physical in block, competes on glass; among the elite scoring forwards in the nation. (Olson)

Boo Williams-April 2013: Pro-frame insider brings efficient interior footwork, finishes in traffic; mobile in up tempo; active on glass, defends, outlets; a rising star. (Olson)

Note: She was the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year in 2014.

I'm not going to question why UConn had not tendered an offer to her at the time she chose Maryland. I'm sure they had their reasons. In Geno (and staff) we trust.
Those reasons could range from they didn't think she would be a good fit, to there were other potential recruits higher on their "want list", and they were reserving the remaining available scholarships for them.

As we all know, everyone can't come to UConn. I wish her all the best during her time at Maryland.

Kiah has great credentials but as Meyers already said Collier , KLS, Boykin, Gabby, Tuck, Courtney can all play the SF. Don't forget we are also in hot pursuit of one Miss Walker who plays the same position. Maryland was a good choice for Kiah since she could possibly start right away in the spot vacated by Mincy.

 

[Carnac]

Kiah has great credentials but as Meyers already said Collier , KLS, Boykin, Gabby, Tuck, Courtney can all play the SF. Don't forget we are also in hot pursuit of one Miss Walker who plays the same position. Maryland was a good choice for Kiah since she could possibly start right away in the spot vacated by Mincy.

Coco, I agree with your take 100%. Too many other players at UConn at her position. I'm sure she's just like anyone else, she wants to play. She went where the opportunity to do so was greater.

 

[Orangutan]

not a necessary post, maybe a bit nasty

Also not necessary because her statements seem plenty coherent to me.

 

[FASTEDDY]

If I'm not mistaken Mr.Gillespie (Kiah father) is an occasional poster on the Boneyard. Please be brave enough to respond to him when he reaches out to you!

So its not possible to be critical of anything. Everyone should only be showered with praise?

The original poster stated his thoughts, which I agree with, and he shouldn't be criticized for it. That is the point of the forum, to express our views, as long as they are not over the top in a negative way.

 

[CocoHusky]

Coco, I agree with your take 100%. Too many other players at UConn at her position. I'm sure she's just like anyone else, she wants to play. She went where the opportunity to do so was greater.

Many will not see it that way though. She has just become the new Bria Holmes-CT kid that Geno could/ should had. And Geno should pay more attention to CT kids, UCONN is a State school, yadah yadah.....

 

[CocoHusky]

So its not possible to be critical of anything. Everyone should only be showered with praise?

The original poster stated his thoughts, which I agree with, and he shouldn't be criticized for it. That is the point of the forum, to express our views, as long as they are not over the top in a negative way.

·NO! I don't think so! The original poster was critical & and nasty about the English language skills of an 18 year old girl on a Basketball forum. Classic example of the kind of post the moderators repeatedly say if you would not say to the person face or in the presence of their parents it doesn’t belong here.
What is it about anything Kiah said in this article that would cause an adult ( I probably giving this poster too much credit) to be so trifling?

 

[rbny1]

So its not possible to be critical of anything. Everyone should only be showered with praise?

The original poster stated his thoughts, which I agree with, and he shouldn't be criticized for it. That is the point of the forum, to express our views, as long as they are not over the top in a negative way.

My take on this as an occasional poster: It's okay to be critical, but it's unseemly and uncalled for to take personal shots at players. They're young people with aspirations who should be treated with respect, IMO. Besides, I thought Gillespie's statements were perfectly coherent. I wish I could have spoken that well when I was an 18-year-old.

 

[John Glass]

Why 5-star Maryland freshman Kiah Gillespie left Connecticut to join the Terps

"A lot of people ask me about why I decided to come to Maryland, and I think they have something different that a lot of colleges don't have. They have an intense coach who likes to win. Of course, UConn, that's a great program, of course," she said. "But I think that going against what people expect you to do is kind of really different."

"I think that UConn is good," she added. "They'll always be good. But sometimes, it's something different for different people."

Auriemma's Huskies reached out to Gillespie and invited her to team practices. But UConn hadn't offered Gillespie a scholarship at the time she committed to Maryland, in August 2014. She had 30 Division I offers, the local Record-Journal reported at the time of her commitment.

"I chose Maryland because it's a great coaching staff and a really good program that's built on tradition," Gillespie said at the team's media day Tuesday. "They have great support, a great educational program, and I feel that they have a lot of tools that's going to help me be successful later on in my life."

[MORE]

"great coaching staff" hmmmm really, I guess that is why most of them were forced to leave

 

[Etienne]

not a necessary post, maybe a bit nasty

Could'nt agree more. The post was totally unnecessary.

 

[DaddyChoc]

wish UHart could have snagged her

 

[UcMiami]

We have another thread about stress - I think a CT player at Uconn can feel greater stress than someone coming from outside the state.
I also think while some kids like staying close to home, most are excited about 'getting away' when they head to college. I never seriously considered anywhere outside the NE, but the last place I wanted to end up was within a half hour of home.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

not a necessary post, maybe a bit nasty

Oh, puhleez! Get a grip. USCheat institutionalizes ignorance as a way of promoting their athletic program and you think it nasty that someone brings up someone who is apparently challenged by coherent English. How many collegiate athletes have you cringed at when they say in post game pressers : "Me and ....." and the like. She isn't going to Maryland because she wants to study English literature and teach. She was put in an awkward spot and handled it as best she could - why Maryland? 'Cuz I didn't think I'd get a UConn offer. Duh! But fair to note it was pretty messy in the English department.

How many offerees at UConn are not reasonably well spoken???