Napheesa Is Right

[RockyMTblue2]

Don't know if you have seen any of her comments in video - I have seen 2 - in which she acknowledges she is UConn's Miss Twiggy - no muscle. It's true and yet she performs at a high level. If she can study Kia's diet - Twizzlers and weight room right? - and get her some of that, well ... we're talking AA and pushing UConn on and on. But, I have never seen that happen in season. Gotta be summer time thing and that won't happen if she gets sucked into USA basketball. Gotta slow down and work at it to eventually speed up. Let USA take care of itself next summer.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Don't know if you have seen any of her comments in video - I have seen 2 - in which she acknowledges she is UConn's Miss Twiggy - no muscle. It's true and yet she performs at a high level. If she can study Kia's diet - Twizzlers and weight room right? - and get her some of that, well ... we're talking AA and pushing UConn on and on. But, I have never seen that happen in season. Gotta be summer time thing and that won't happen if she gets sucked into USA basketball. Gotta slow down and work at it to eventually speed up. Let USA take care of itself next summer.

I have no idea what that "well" is, but for sure she has the shoulders to support more muscle.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Well is where we will be if she gets that muscle on. I'm thinking legs as well as upper body. Like I said ... some of the Kia muscle!

 

[Gus Mahler]

Well is where we will be if she gets that muscle on. I'm thinking legs as well as upper body. Like I said ... some of the Kia muscle!

Well, Kia Nurse certainly has some muscle. I think we're both hoping for some Kiah Stokes results.

 

[Sonny44]

If she muscles up I hope she never loses that baby face.

 

[huskeynut]

She may always be "Miss Twiggy." Her body type may not allow her to put on pure muscle. She will, however, be stronger next season with all the weight training and conditioning that's done in the off season.

 

[VAMike23]

Bria was skinnier - and she gradually put on a few pounds of muscle. I think Napheesa's frame will allow for more gains than Bria.

 

[JoePgh]

I can't say that I have ever noticed that Napheesa has been hampered in games by a lack of arm or leg strength. Have you seen that, or are you just commenting based on her appearance or her semi-serious remarks in the SNY interview?

As I recall, she is at or near the top of the roster in rebounds per minute played. Most of her points come in the paint. I don't see opponents grabbing balls out of her hands. I wouldn't say that adding muscle mass needs to be her top priority for the summer.

 

[jsloanjr]

She will be just fine and she will get better and stronger every year like Stewie, Tuck and MJ

 

[Dougie]

Don't know if you have seen any of her comments in video - I have seen 2 - in which she acknowledges she is UConn's Miss Twiggy - no muscle. It's true and yet she performs at a high level. If she can study Kia's diet - Twizzlers and weight room right? - and get her some of that, well ... we're talking AA and pushing UConn on and on. But, I have never seen that happen in season. Gotta be summer time thing and that won't happen if she gets sucked into USA basketball. Gotta slow down and work at it to eventually speed up. Let USA take care of itself next summer.

She may have made some self deprecating comments, but in reality I think she has a great basketball physique. A lack of apparent "muscle" doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of strength. Think Reggie Miller, Kevin Durant. I actually think she's quite strong. I do agree that a little work in the weight room will help her and give some added strength in moving bodies in the post. She runs the floor beautifully and seems to be in great shape. She came to UCONN college ready. The sky's the limit for Napheesa!

 

[donalddoowop]

In an article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Napheesa said there are enough scorers on this team and that her job is to rebound, play defense, and make steals. Her offense will come around. In spite of what Sluconn says, Napheesa did most of her scoring in high school down low, ala, Gabby. Because of her height and jumping ability, her coach had her playing mostly inside and I rarely saw attempt a three point shot. He's doing the same thin now with his new freshman, 6'3" Ricky Woltman. She plays mostly inside on offense and defense. She is on the ESPN national watch list.

 

[Sonny44]

I love her, but if she really said that, she's mistaken. She has plenty of open looks. She has to be threat to score to make this team better and take some pressure off of her mates.

 

[ricky]

She's too concerned about sharing but correct that enough people are shooting the ball. If called, she will score from anywhere. I saw it this summer under pressure situations. If other players can't come through umder fire, Geno should focus her on that. Her body is great with shoulder and buttox muscels. She only needs more conditioning since she is wearing down at the freshman wall.

 

[huskyd]

Don't know if you have seen any of her comments in video - I have seen 2 - in which she acknowledges she is UConn's Miss Twiggy - no muscle. It's true and yet she performs at a high level. If she can study Kia's diet - Twizzlers and weight room right? - and get her some of that, well ... we're talking AA and pushing UConn on and on. But, I have never seen that happen in season. Gotta be summer time thing and that won't happen if she gets sucked into USA basketball. Gotta slow down and work at it to eventually speed up. Let USA take care of itself next summer.

I'm one of those who think Napheesa looks fine, and I was surprised to read that she's known as "Twiggy." No one has mentioned the thin (but supple) Lou. If anyone needs to share one of Courtney Ekmark's bacon sandwiches, it's Lou. But now that I think about it, none of the Samuelson sibs has fattened up much. They all have that loose boned Wild West gunslinger look. Katie Lou says she has to muscle up in order to keep from getting pushed around on the court. But Bre never gained much weight in her time at UConn, and she got pushed around plenty (still does). So maybe some players are Kaleenas and some are Bres; that's their body type and it really doesn't get in the way of their great talent. Does it?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I'm one of those who think Napheesa looks fine, and I was surprised to read that she's known as "Twiggy." No one has mentioned the thin (but supple) Lou. If anyone needs to share one of Courtney Ekmark's bacon sandwiches, it's Lou. But now that I think about it, none of the Samuelson sibs has fattened up much. They all have that loose boned Wild West gunslinger look. Katie Lou says she has to muscle up in order to keep from getting pushed around on the court. But Bre never gained much weight in her time at UConn, and she got pushed around plenty (still does). So maybe some players are Kaleenas and some are Bres; that's their body type and it really doesn't get in the way of their great talent. Does it?

I see nothing about her body type that suggests she cannot put on a modicum of muscle. Prior to coming to UConn she never lifted a weight. 15 pounds of muscle will work wonders. She's a small forward type and needs to have a little more bang bang in her to maximize her potential is all.

 

[JavaMan]

...she acknowledges she is UConn's Miss Twiggy - no muscle...

Maybe she only made those statements because she wasn't able to box the ears of the blockhead who stole her scooter last fall.

 

[reno tony]

I can't say that I have ever noticed that Napheesa has been hampered in games by a lack of arm or leg strength. Have you seen that, or are you just commenting based on her appearance or her semi-serious remarks in the SNY interview?

As I recall, she is at or near the top of the roster in rebounds per minute played. Most of her points come in the paint. I don't see opponents grabbing balls out of her hands. I wouldn't say that adding muscle mass needs to be her top priority for the summer.

She stated in an interview that she has never lifted a weight in her life. And while it may not stop her from rebounding and scoring in the paint now.... she may become a target of a lot of physicality in the future. She could certainly benefit from some muscle tone to limit other teams from pushing her around. She has the desire, a little extra muscle wouldn't hurt.

 

[Sonny44]

I see nothing about her body type that suggests she cannot put on a modicum of muscle. Prior to coming to UConn she never lifted a weight. 15 pounds of muscle will work wonders. She's a small forward type and needs to have a little more bang bang in her to maximize her potential is all.

I hope we're not going to start that "body type" blather on her the way we did with Kaleena ad nauseam.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I hope we're not going to start that "body type" blather on her the way we did with Kaleena ad nauseam.

Apples and pears.

 

[BobbyJ]

I think with some weight work her upper body strength will be OK for the position she'll most likely play which I believe will be the 3 spot. She has tremendous instincts which can't be taught. She needs the lower body and core strength similar to Maya Moore to be able to hold her post and rebounding position and to prevent the defense from riding her off her cuts and bumping her off balance as she goes up to shoot. And maybe some hand and wrist strength to rip some of the balls she's having knocked away. Her potential is very high.

 

[TheGOAT23]

I have also noticed in several games that Napheesa is easily bumped off course when driving to the basket. There were rebounds where I thought that she could have snagged, but the lift wasn't there. Like most have said here, a little weight work on her upper/ lower body anYes. d she should be good for next season. She's an outstanding talent.