Congrats Natalie on this significant accomplishment.
There are a number of factors that go into how or why Natalie is where she is now!
She played for another team before transferring to U Conn, and that showed her that she wanted and needed to play against stronger competition, especially on a day to day basis, especially in practice. Her I think two years (or was it three) on the team after sitting out a transfer year, brought her to being able to have a meaningful role off the bench especially as a big. Last year we definitely needed her to fill the minutes and role she had. It's hard when you are probably the 7th best player on your team to get minutes and improve when no matter what you do, you're not replacing anyone in the top 5. A significant element is the mental part of the game and the confidence needed to perform on the U Conn stage. If you just look at Crystal last year and MW this year, these two very highly ranked HS players, with obvious skill sets, performed below their abilities their first year playing here. Understanding, accepting and being able to do what Geno, CD and the coaches expect in practice and in games is a process that takes awhile for almost anyone. Looking at the difference in AZ from the beginning of the year to now is another example of starting to put it all together. Between the confidence issue, limited role because there are players much further along than you, and the limited minutes one plays all can truly hold one back.
She also knew her role and minutes with AZ now being able to play this year wasn't going to improve. I do think she still had a role as we could still use another big with some skills, especially with AZ's fouling issues and in case of injury. This might sound extreme to some but she has a more developed offensive game than McGowan, who from my perspective still doesn't move all that well and almost fully relies on her size and strength. She could have guarded Wilson and other bigs and also brought her strong rebounding and boxing out skills.
I also believe at least part of her time here she had some lingering physical and health issues.
Her decision to go back to playing in a mid level program now enables her to be the star. It's like the perfect storm. Also from all I've read her work ethics, being a valued member of the team, her intelligence added to much greater confidence, physically a better player gained from all the above and wanting and being ready to take over the "star" role without an enormous ego, have all been part of who she has become.
She may have actually brought herself to being able to be a decent sub in the WNBA or to play in Europe, if that interests her.
This is a huge success story.
Bronx23
She has 19 rebounds after three quarters; giving her 540 rebounds for the season. Courtney Paris had 539 rebounds in 2005-06 for the previous record. Natalie did it in 33 games vs Courtney's 36 games. Update: Natalie has 20 pts and 20 rebounds mid-way through the fourth quarter.
