Now we all know why Geno was so enthused re: Nika

[SVCBeercats]

Reminder of Geno's early enthusiasm for Nika. He could see what many of us could not.

 

[da60]

Re: Nika.....you are on the ball, so to speak. Isn't it amazing how Geno is able to see young kids playing bb differently than other coaches. His enthusiasm in Nika was so inciteful....he wanted her badly and envisioned what she could become. Nika is here to stay with her twin, Paige...amazing how they both hooked up. I hope Azzi realizes that Paige is still her 'bestie'.
I recall posting to fellow Boneyarders last year that there was a reason that Geno was running all over Poland, when he recruited Anna That was the period when so many were upset about his recruiting.. When I read Geno doubters out there, I have to scratch my old head...he should remain healthy and stay around for more years. Talk about the term generational, he is an all-timer!
Nika is so much like Jen Rizzotti, a fireball of energy. I knew coach would eventually decide on a starting lineup.....so there! Go girls!

 

[Dabber]

And she is only going to get better which is

 

[Dabber]

Sorry about my incomplete message. Wanted to say she is only going to get better which is going to be fun to watch. What's the story with her kid sister? Any word that Geno is interested in her?

 

[hoopsfan22]

Now we know why so many coaches were after Nika.

 

[Bama fan]

Reminder of Geno's early enthusiasm for Nika. He could see what many of us could not.

Quite an insightful look into Nika's mindset, and deep enough to impress Geno. That was good enough for me when I first watched this video. Good post Beercats

 

[MilfordHusky]

Now we know why so many coaches were after Nika.

Nika's final 5 were: UConn, Louisville, Oregon, Ohio State, and South Florida. All are in the top 15 or so. She was highly coveted.

 

[EricLA]

Reminder of Geno's early enthusiasm for Nika. He could see what many of us could not.

Geno wasn't the only one. @MilfordHusky and I had numerous discussions about it. We felt like Liya was a legit top 5-10 recruit had she been an American, and Nika was a legit top 10-15 recruit. When we compared her to Andrews and Van Lith, we felt like neither was appreciably better than Nika (all 3 are guards, but they are all a bit different in their strengths and approach to the game.

No one will deny Van Lith has been really good for L'ville, but she's not the PG. Dana Evans is. Andrews comes off the bench for Baylor and is putting up modest numbers at best.

Players like Van LIth, Pao Pao, Johnson (Rutgers) and Clark (Iowa) are putting up big scoring numbers, like Paige is. Nika is a different kind of PG. I'm thrilled that her 3 point shot seems better than I thought, to keep teams honest, but what she does as a complete player IMHO puts her near the upper echelon of freshmen PG's this season (and there were a TON).

I'm very glad we landed her. Early on she was hampered by an injury (or was it 2?), and was playing thru it. I think that really hurt her effectiveness. It seems that she's 100% healthy now, and is not only thriving, but improving in leaps and bounds.

I wonder if her turning point was that moment on the bench when she was in tears and Geno went over and talked to her. Sure she's stubborn, but she's also fiercely competitive, proud, and wants to be really good, which in her mind means helping her team and making them all shine.