Kiah Stokes alert

[Scotter]

For all the complaints about how Kiah was used at Uconn and how she was going to bloom as a pro, she remains a rebounding and defensive oriented player - her scoring has never blossomed - she is a very good player, but the idea that she was going to explode into an offensive force just hasn't materialized.

I don't remember a lot of people believing that her scoring was going to explode. I believe the argument was more whether a player that didn't even start for her college team could be an effective WNBA player. I believed she would have a long and successful career in the WNBA, and that's exactly the path she is on to this point.

I believed the perception of Kiah would change far more than Kiah herself would change because that perception would no longer be shaped by Geno's comments to the media. Kiah to this point has been a more impactful player in the WNBA than players like Bria Hartley and KML who were All-Americans because her skillset as a defensive player is enough to be a difference maker. The only thing I expected from Kiah offensively is for her to increase her confidence in her jump shot over her career, which is what happens with almost all professional players.

 

[mrmojack]

4/1 Kiah's latest game was a 65-70 loss. Their record now is 14-10. Kiah had 8 points
(4-8), 12 rebounds and 1 block. She has 2 more games and then home word bound
to the NY Liberty.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Thanks, mrmojack.

 

[mrmojack]

4/8 Kiah's next to last game in Turkey was a 76-59 win. She had 10 points, 11 rebounds,
2 blocks in 33 minutes of play.

With one game to go in the season, Kiah is averaging 11.5 points p/game,
14.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks p/game. So she will end up averaging a double
double for the season.

Her teams record is 15-10 for the season. They lost their first 4 games of the
season without Kiah in the lineup. With Kiah in the lineup they are 15-6. So
it appears that Kiah had a huge impact on this team with her in the paint. So
one more game in Turkey and then on to the NY Liberty, who should have an
interesting season with some new faces on the roster. They have added veteran
Kia Vaughn, 6-4 to play with Amanda Zahui B, 6-5, Kiah, and Tina Charles.

I was impressed with Zahui B at the end of the Liberties playoff run, and with
a season overseas she should be even better. She was aggressive offensively,
something the Liberty needs in the post to help Tina Charles.

One other comment, I feel that Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer, would love to
draft a player like Gabby Williams after next season. She seems to be the
exact type of player he likes. I would love to see her play for the Liberty
with Kiah. He seems to like Uconn players too.

 

[TRuconnfan]

I just wanted to thank you for the updates on Kiah every week as I very much look forward to them. She was my favorite player while at Uconn and it's great to see/hear how she is doing.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

A look back at Bill L on Kiah at the time of the 2015 draft: http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn...-stokes-liberty-wnba-0421-20150420-story.html

"We suspect she's going to be a quick learner and we're going to stick Herb Williams [Liberty assistant] with her in an attempt to get her offensive game to where we believe it should be. Geno says there's a tremendous amount of room to for improvement and we believe that, too."

 

[bschwartz]

Kiah's team finished it's regular season last Wednesday. She had another double double with a dozen points and rebounds plus five blocks. Her team is seeded fifth of eight teams in the playoffs that begin next week. She will face her Liberty teammate Tanisha Wright. I believe the game is on the 24th. Follow Coach Rookie on Twitter to get details plus a link to watch the game.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Kiah's team finished it's regular season last Wednesday. She had another double double with a dozen points and rebounds plus five blocks. Her team is seeded fifth of eight teams in the playoffs that begin next week. She will face her Liberty teammate Tanisha Wright. I believe the game is on the 24th. Follow Coach Rookie on Twitter to get details plus a link to watch the game.

Thanks, bschwartz.

 

[mrmojack]

4/23 As posted on another site, Kiah's last game was a 21 point, 7 rebound 3 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block game.

 

[Icebear]

Only 1 block? Slacker!

 

[bschwartz]

I had a chance to watch the game. She is still a little inconsistent on offense, but she was asserting herself today. She executed more post up moves than I have seen her do in a while mostly against Ann Wauters, a former 1st pick in the WNBA draft.

Based on stats, Kiah has clearly been the best center in the league. Hoping that momentum blooms this season for the Libs.

The quarter finals in her league are best of 3. Her team is 1-1 against Tanisha Wright's team. They play again Wednesday morning to move on to the next round against the best team in the league That team includes Courtney Vandersloot and Kayla McBride.

 

[bschwartz]

Kiah had 5 points and 11 rebounds plus a monster block of a three point shot that would have cut her team's lead to three with less than a minute to go. Kiah's team now faces the top-ranked team in the semifinals this weekend.

 

[mrmojack]

Kiah's latest game on 4/29 was a 76-62 loss in the first game of 3 game playoff series. She had 8 points
7 rebounds, 1 blosck and 2 steals.

 

[OldAlum]

If her team and Moriah's team would both win their current series, they would meet in the championships! Alas, both teams are down 0-1. ( Mo scored 19, 6 reb, 4 a)

 

[VAMike23]

Looks like they lost Game 3, 77-76.

Game 4 is on May 4.

Could not find the box score because I couldn't read the page but the score was clear enough !

 

[bschwartz]

Looks like they lost Game 3, 77-76.

Game 4 is on May 4.

Could not find the box score because I couldn't read the page but the score was clear enough !

View attachment 22071

Kiah had 24 points and 20 rebounds in this game. I am checking, but I think Kayla McBride hit the GW with no time on the clock.

Access the box score by clicking the link then clicking on the stat button on the mid left of the page.
Maç Detay

 

[Carnac]

Kiah had 24 points and 20 rebounds in this game. I am checking, but I think Kayla McBride hit the GW with no time on the clock.

Access the box score by clicking the link then clicking on the stat button on the mid left of the page.
Maç Detay

I sure wish Kiah could have a breakout game like this for the Liberty once the season begins against either the Lynx or the Sparks. This will be her third year in the league, she's due.

 

[mrmojack]

Kiah made 12 of 16 shots in the last game and scored 24 points in a one point loss. She never got to the foul line either.
In her previous game, a 76-62 loss to the same team she only took 5 shots, making 4. I guess when your shooting those
percentages you need to get the ball into her hands more often.

I would like to see the tape of this game. Anyone have a link?

 

[mrmojack]

5/4 Kiah's last game in Turkey was a 74-59 loss, their 3rd straight in the playoffs. Kiah had 7 points (2-8), and 14
rebounds. After having a great game in game 2 of the series, the defense didn't allow that to happen again.

Well, it's now onto the NY Liberty after a successful season in Turkey. I know we all wish Kiah a great WNBA
season this year. She will bring back a wealth of experience and more confidence, Good luck to her.

 

[OldAlum]

Kiah and Moriah could have met in a championship series. But both their teams lost. At least they get to come back to the USA! Turkey seems increasingly dangerous with their president/dictator. Wonder if either player will go back next year. It seems like China is a sought-after place to play with good money and a shorter season.

ETA: Just got a look at a box score and Moriah did not play. "Coaches decision" Hope she is okay.

 

[McFly]

Kiah and Moriah could have met in a championship series. But both their teams lost. At least they get to come back to the USA! Turkey seems increasingly dangerous with their president/dictator. Wonder if either player will go back next year. It seems like China is a sought-after place to play with good money and a shorter season.

ETA: Just got a look at a box score and Moriah did not play. "Coaches decision" Hope she is okay.

Strange decision, not to play your best player in a must win game. I'm with you, hoping she's okay.