Leadership Here We Come

[RockyMTblue2]

If we get two out of three I'll be happy. 3 paint me in ecstatic blue. Who is my questionmark? CW.

‘We’re ready to take on that responsibility:’ Juniors Christyn Williams, Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Evina Westbrook shouldering leadership load for UConn women

Just back in March Christyn Williams and Olivia Nelson-Ododa were still riding the ups and downs of their sophomore years with the UConn women’s basketball team, a season in which they had im…

www.courant.com

 

[uconnfan68]

Why?

 

[Performance]

I believe all of them will excel in their leadership roll

 

[and one]

I'm not real concerned about leadership on this team. Leadership comes down to expectations and accountability and comes from two directions, coaches and peers. Some other programs seem to lack leadership on one or both levels but I have never seen a UConn team that lacked it. We have had a few players over the years that didn't seem to want to accept the expectations and accountability that comes with the UConn culture and they move on.

It starts with the coaches. Geno, Chris, Shea and Jamelle are demanding and expect the players to accept the responsibility to work hard in practice and games, to learn the plays, and to improve their mental and physical skill sets. Players provide peer pressure and lead by example. It could be a D type that is in your face or a bench player that grinds it out in practice. Who steps up and how may not be apparent now, but trust me, it will be there. There are no rudderless UConn teams.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Why?

Her bubbly, easy going nature. I could be wrong of course. I'm sure there are at least a dozen here prepared to say I am. Remember, I said its questionable. Be happy to find I worried over nothing as the season progresses.

While I'm on the subject ... reading a book, hhhmmmm. Maybe they should be enrolled in Toast Masters.

 

[oldude]

The last time I was concerned about team leadership was 2016-17, after the Big 3 graduated with 4 national championships in hand.

Turned out my concerns were unwarranted as juniors Kia & Gabby stepped up wonderfully, along with sophomores Lou, and to a lesser extent Pheesa.

UConn WBB is a perennial Top-5 program that will simply reload talented players, as well as exceptional leaders so long as Geno, CD, Shea & Jamelle are around to recruit exceptional young ladies and coach them up to be exceptional college players and leaders.

 

[uconnfan68]

Her bubbly, easy going nature. I could be wrong of course. I'm sure there are at least a dozen here prepared to say I am. Remember, I said its questionable. Be happy to find I worried over nothing as the season progresses.

While I'm on the subject ... reading a book, hhhmmmm. Maybe they should be enrolled in Toast Masters.

I think that nature helps her connect with everyone, and you need a connection before you can deliver a message. Thanks for your answer!

 

[chrissaran]

Jamelle will be a huge plus this year.

 

[CL82]

Alternative link

 

[cbraarj]

I thought last year was not a good year for leadership. Crystal did her job and did it well! But IMO Megan wasn't a leader that they needed. She was selfish on the court and it really hurt the younger players. She didn't really look for them with passes when they were wide open. The freshmen felt obligated to pass to her because she was a Jr. The best thing for the team happened when she went pro and the chemistry will be so much better this year.

 

[Steelerone]

Cbraarj, I sort of agree with you about Megan not being a "leader". This comes naturally to some people but not to all. I don't think Megan was selfish. I think she was put into a position she never really wanted and did a credible job. Megan in high school and Megan at Uconn were two completely different players. That happens more often than not with several players, men and women. It's the "Big fish in as small pond" syndrome. I think that Megan, in her final year, got as much out of her talent as possible and you can't really ask for more than that.

 

[Alydar]

I thought last year was not a good year for leadership. Crystal did her job and did it well! But IMO Megan wasn't a leader that they needed. She was selfish on the court and it really hurt the younger players. She didn't really look for them with passes when they were wide open. The freshmen felt obligated to pass to her because she was a Jr. The best thing for the team happened when she went pro and the chemistry will be so much better this year.

Some truth in there but a little harsh IMO. Remember, she learned that from KLS & Collier who scored so efficiently that no one else wanted to shoot. It's not for nothing that they both averaged 20+ in the same season when everyone in UConn history who averaged 20 can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

 

[Geew1992]

I thought last year was not a good year for leadership. Crystal did her job and did it well! But IMO Megan wasn't a leader that they needed. She was selfish on the court and it really hurt the younger players. She didn't really look for them with passes when they were wide open. The freshmen felt obligated to pass to her because she was a Jr. The best thing for the team happened when she went pro and the chemistry will be so much better this year.

Wish there was a dislike for this

 

[cbraarj]

Wish there was a dislike for this

Why because I gave my honest opinion.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Why because I gave my honest opinion.

No. I'm guessing it was because someone disliked your opinion. Just because you post your opinion doesn't mean you automatically get a "like."

 

[JellyBean]

This is going to be interesting. As we have seen with the Last Dance, leadership comes from the player(s) who is going to work the hardest in practice and games. Could be a junior or freshmen. If it is a freshmen, will the junior players embrace a freshmen out working them and being that leader?