Megan Walker Goes Pro [merged thread]

[Argonaut]

She just saw herself in what happened to Kyla. Basketball is Megan's job. If something happens to her physically, then what?

She’ll have a college diploma to rely on?

 

[hoophuskee]

Was she truly going to reach her "potential" playing another year at UCONN?

I don't know about potential because players also improve in wnba even UCONN players. I do think she could have improved greatly at UCONN and that this was a business decision -- and a good one.

I don't believe any of that stuff about killer instinct taht she didn't have that others post etc however. She is a terrific player. Great kid. Best wishes for her. I wish her the best. IMO she was potential POY next year. But I can understand if she gets hurt etc.

 

[CL82]

No doubt Megan would have improved while playing another season at UCONN because she has improved every year while playing at there. Achieving her potential is entirely a different matter. For some BY posters Megan would and has fallen short of achieving that "potential' because she has failed to lead UCONN to multiple championships, was not a major contributor or starter as a freshman and not named an AA as a sophomore. It an insanely high bar we tend to place on #1 HS recruits. Her potential is to be among the top WNBA picks and clearly Megan will achieved that.

If she is among the top 5 picks, it makes sense for her to leave. She likely will be. Personally, I'd have loved for her to stay as I feel we'd be a very, very tough team with her but it is her call. I wish her well.

 

[oldude]

Megan has always been something of an enigma. Quietly intense, she seldom let’s you know what she is thinking either on or off the court. Considering just how quickly following the end of the season she announced her decision, I have to believe she had made the decision to leave some time ago.

 

[Lucelab113]

Unmmm is Geno spending enough time with these players?

how could he misread Azura and Megan so wrong?!? He just said yesterday he didn’t anticipate this happening.

and I’m sorry but why is this becoming such a trend to forgo your college eligibility for pro basketball that simply doesn’t generate the attention and star power of the college game?! I couldn’t name any of the pro teams current UConn players play on.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

It's been a somewhat tumultuous year and if Meg thinks she has had enough of the college team experience, so be it. The WNBA will surely have a draft and maybe the season has a delay and hopefully not a cancellation. Still waters run deep. I could never read Megan.

 

[eebmg]

Megan has always been something of an enigma. Quietly intense, she seldom let’s you know what she is thinking either on or off the court. Considering just how quickly following the end of the season she announced her decision, I have to believe she had made the decision some time ago.

Maybe got annoyed that we called her the 'silent assassin'

 

[hoophuskee]

Unmmm is Geno spending enough time with these players?

how could he misread Azura and Megan so wrong?!? He just said yesterday he didn’t anticipate this happening.

and I’m sorry but why is this becoming such a trend to forgo your college eligibility for pro basketball that simply doesn’t generate the attention and star power of the college game?! I couldn’t name any of the pro teams current UConn players play on.

You're making too much out of it. They make a fortune overseas - get to travel - possibly live a life they've dreamed about -- realizing if they get hurt it all comes crashing down.

 

[Charliebball]

UConn fans better get used to their favorites leaving prematurely.............between turning pro and the likely transfer rule changes I suspect we will be saying good bye and welcoming players far more frequently in the future.......

 

[UcMiami]

Sorry to see her go, but can understand the decision. Even if the W does not have a season, the foreign leagues could.

I would have thought it would make more sense to wait until the deadline for declaring just because of the uncertainty on if and when a WNBA draft will occur this spring.

If the draft/season gets canceled for the W, I could also see the NCAA allowing juniors who declare to regain eligibility for a senior season. That is much less problematic than giving seniors a fifth year.

 

[meyers7]

Surprising to me. First time UCONN has had a player leave eligibility on the table without a diploma. IIRC.

 

[CocoHusky]

I am flabbergasted. Why turn pro if the chance of a pro league running is negligible? US or international. Finish her degree, work on some parts of her game, enter the draft with a weaker class, play with her best friend while being the unquestioned leader of the team. etc. etc.

UCONN isn't like North Carolina, the players actually are required to go to class. I'll keep saying this until someone understands my point. A lot of kids just don't like being in college, that is the reason the dropout rate is so high.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

You're making too much out of it. They make a fortune overseas - get to travel - possibly live a life they've dreamed about -- realizing if they get hurt it all comes crashing down.

That fortune abroad thing is not available to many . I hope Meg gets the AA nod. It will help.

 

[CocoHusky]

Unmmm is Geno spending enough time with these players?
how could he misread Azura and Megan so wrong?!? He just said yesterday he didn’t anticipate this happening.
and I’m sorry but why is this becoming such a trend to forgo your college eligibility for pro basketball that simply doesn’t generate the attention and star power of the college game?! I couldn’t name any of the pro teams current UConn players play on.

You are either spitballing or venting here, either way I don't think Geno spending more time with the players would have changed anything. I 'm not sure the players would want that either.

 

[Deuce]

Unless it’s a true impact player, Geno should stand pat. Even before Megan’s announcement, I felt Aaliyah could earn the starting spot at PF, moving Megan to the W. That PF job will now be a battle between Aaliyah & Aubrey. Anna, Christyn, Evina & possibly Mir will battle it out for PT at W.

Stand pat with 10 players? Sorry but I 100% disagree and in fact I think this would be borderline negligent. 2 injuries and a freshman in GA’s doghouse and you now essentially have 7 players would better not get into foul trouble. Look at ND this past season you have to prepare for everything and unfortunately that includes AEH and EDD type transfers where they show up on campus then bolt after a few weeks.

You fill as many scholarships with your type players as you can and don’t worry about PT or making players happy or loyalty for the sake of it...especially in today’s landscape.

 

[Lucelab113]

I’m sure Diana T, Maya, Stewie, Aja, Sabrina, Lou, Pheesa, Arike, etc could have made a “fortune” abroad too after 3 years.

These players will never be as big or have it as good as they have it in college. Especially UConn. I mean the big deal 5 years ago was Skylar Diggins and I haven’t heard a word about her in years.

We used to avoid these situations. Maybe when Geno talks about recruiting mistakes he’s not just talking talent. Regardless of what some will have you believe in this thread it is highly unusual for UConn players to leave eligibility on the table when there is unfinished business. Perhaps kids are changing. Or the coaches have let their guard down.

 

[CocoHusky]

If she is among the top 5 picks, it makes sense for her to leave. She likely will be. Personally, I'd have loved for her to stay as I feel we'd be a very, very tough team with her but it is her call. I wish her well.

Napheesa Collier was pick #6 in her draft class and was WNBA Rookie of the Year.
The opportunity to play is far more important than the position in which the player is drafted. Megan will be fine in the WNBA.

 

[bballnut90]

Dang huge loss for you guys but congrats to Megan. I posted that she was draft eligible a couple of times but never saw her leaving after this year unless UCONN won a title. Another year probably wouldve helped her stock and overall game, but she'll still be a high pick and can make big bucks right away. All the best to her.

 

[bballnut90]

I’m sure Diana T, Maya, Stewie, Aja, Sabrina, Lou, Pheesa, Arike, etc could have made a “fortune” abroad too after 3 years.

These players will never be as big or have it as good as they have it in college. Especially UConn. I mean the big deal 5 years ago was Skylar Diggins and I haven’t heard a word about her in years.

We used to avoid these situations. Maybe when Geno talks about recruiting mistakes he’s not just talking talent. Regardless of what some will have you believe in this thread it is highly unusual for UConn players to leave eligibility on the table when there is unfinished business. Perhaps kids are changing. Or the coaches have let their guard down.

You must not follow the players after college if you havent heard about Diggins since she was in college.

 

[Lucelab113]

You must not follow the players after college if you havent heard about Diggins since she was in college.

Nope. I find the WNBA unwatachable as I also much prefer men’s college hoops to the bad product that is the NBA.

 

[pvdoggy]

I’m sure Diana T, Maya, Stewie, Aja, Sabrina, Lou, Pheesa, Arike, etc could have made a “fortune” abroad too after 3 years.

These players will never be as big or have it as good as they have it in college. Especially UConn. I mean the big deal 5 years ago was Skylar Diggins and I haven’t heard a word about her in years.

We used to avoid these situations. Maybe when Geno talks about recruiting mistakes he’s not just talking talent. Regardless of what some will have you believe in this thread it is highly unusual for UConn players to leave eligibility on the table when there is unfinished business. Perhaps kids are changing. Or the coaches have let their guard down.

I suspect Skylar makes way more money off the court than on the court.

 

[CocoHusky]

I’m sure Diana T, Maya, Stewie, Aja, Sabrina, Lou, Pheesa, Arike, etc could have made a “fortune” abroad too after 3 years. These players will never be as big or have it as good as they have it in college. Especially UConn. I mean the big deal 5 years ago was Skylar Diggins and I haven’t heard a word about her in years.

We used to avoid these situations. Maybe when Geno talks about recruiting mistakes he’s not just talking talent. Regardless of what some will have you believe in this thread it is highly unusual for UConn players to leave eligibility on the table when there is unfinished business. Perhaps kids are changing. Or the coaches have let their guard down.

Ok I can by that you haven't heard of about Skylar Diggins in years but do the names Jewell Loyd and Jackie Young ring a bell?

 

[bballnut90]

Nope. I find the WNBA unwatachable as I also much prefer men’s college hoops to the bad product that is the NBA.

Diggins is a bonafide star in the league. All WNBA and All Star awards. Married with a kid, massive social media following (1m+ on instagram). Should be on the Olympic team. I think she (and many others) is as popular and recognizable as she was in college.

 

[Centerstream]

Why would that be weird

Just that she won't be on the team when they add her #3 to the Ring of Honor.

 

[oldude]

Stand pat with 10 players? Sorry but I 100% disagree and in fact I think this would be borderline negligent. 2 injuries and a freshman in GA’s doghouse and you now essentially have 7 players would better not get into foul trouble. Look at ND this past season you have to prepare for everything and unfortunately that includes AEH and EDD type transfers where they show up on campus then bolt after a few weeks.

You fill as many scholarships with your type players as you can and don’t worry about PT or making players happy or loyalty for the sake of it...especially in today’s landscape.

Just to be clear, UConn somehow managed this season with only 9 players, and UConn has never filled all their available scholarships. The other real problem with bringing in transfers is that it shortchanges the players who are already there while sending a mixed message.