oldude
bamboo lover
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2016
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We all remember bursting through the building doors and bounding down the stairs on the last day of the school year for the start of summer vacation. Whether it’s elementary school, JR HS, HS or college, the prospect of hanging out with friends at the beach, family vacations, picnics and, for those that play sports, working out and playing ball every single day, without having to worry about homework, pop quizzes or whatever awful concoction the cafeteria was serving tomorrow, was an exhilarating feeling of freedom. Even for those of us with summer jobs lined up flipping burgers, cutting lawns, etc., having a few dollars in your pocket on a summer night provided its own type of freedom.
By all measures, Olivia Nelson-Ododa had an Excellent Summer Vacation. In fact, it was so good, she extended it right on into the first month of the school year. Liv hung out with her roomie playing 3x3 ball around the country and eventually traveled down to Lima, Peru where she and her teammates picked up the first gold medal ever in the Pan-Am Games 3x3 competition. More recently, she played a little 5x5 basketball, earning a spot as the youngest player on the USA FIBA Americas Cup team that also earned gold at the recent championship in Puerto Rico.
Along the way, Liv played with and against some very talented players. As a young post player with an enormous upside, what better way to improve your game than playing and practicing with players like Steph Dolson, Tina Charles and Sylvia Fowles. What’s more, Liv more than held her own, showing glimpses of the tremendous potential that earned her the designation as the #1 HS prospect in the country after her sophomore year in HS. Of course, Liv missed her entire junior year in HS, plus AAU ball, plus USA basketball due to a severe leg injury. As if to make up for lost time, Liv played a whole lot of basketball this past summer. She also found time to transform her thin, wiry frame into a lean, muscular body that will be better suited to handle the battles she will face in the post this season.
In another thread I commented that while Liv will not be UConn’s best player this coming season, IMO Liv will be the Husky’s most important player as they pursue their 13th straight FF and hopefully their 12th national championship. To her credit, Liv has done just about everything in her power to be ready for the challenge. Undoubtedly, she will have some ups and downs this season, but I expect that Liv will be one of the better post players in the country by March, if not sooner.
January 9 is circled on my calendar. Lauren Cox, the top post in the country, and the defending National Champion Baylor Lady Bears will pay a visit to the XL Center. It’s been almost 6 years since UConn WBB lost a game in the state of CT. If Liv holds her own against Cox, that streak may just continue for some time. Yes, I know. Oregon also pays a visit to Gampel on Feb 3. If the Huskies take down the Lady Bears, I’ll be feeling really good about their chances against the Ducks at Gampel.
By all measures, Olivia Nelson-Ododa had an Excellent Summer Vacation. In fact, it was so good, she extended it right on into the first month of the school year. Liv hung out with her roomie playing 3x3 ball around the country and eventually traveled down to Lima, Peru where she and her teammates picked up the first gold medal ever in the Pan-Am Games 3x3 competition. More recently, she played a little 5x5 basketball, earning a spot as the youngest player on the USA FIBA Americas Cup team that also earned gold at the recent championship in Puerto Rico.
Along the way, Liv played with and against some very talented players. As a young post player with an enormous upside, what better way to improve your game than playing and practicing with players like Steph Dolson, Tina Charles and Sylvia Fowles. What’s more, Liv more than held her own, showing glimpses of the tremendous potential that earned her the designation as the #1 HS prospect in the country after her sophomore year in HS. Of course, Liv missed her entire junior year in HS, plus AAU ball, plus USA basketball due to a severe leg injury. As if to make up for lost time, Liv played a whole lot of basketball this past summer. She also found time to transform her thin, wiry frame into a lean, muscular body that will be better suited to handle the battles she will face in the post this season.
In another thread I commented that while Liv will not be UConn’s best player this coming season, IMO Liv will be the Husky’s most important player as they pursue their 13th straight FF and hopefully their 12th national championship. To her credit, Liv has done just about everything in her power to be ready for the challenge. Undoubtedly, she will have some ups and downs this season, but I expect that Liv will be one of the better post players in the country by March, if not sooner.
January 9 is circled on my calendar. Lauren Cox, the top post in the country, and the defending National Champion Baylor Lady Bears will pay a visit to the XL Center. It’s been almost 6 years since UConn WBB lost a game in the state of CT. If Liv holds her own against Cox, that streak may just continue for some time. Yes, I know. Oregon also pays a visit to Gampel on Feb 3. If the Huskies take down the Lady Bears, I’ll be feeling really good about their chances against the Ducks at Gampel.
