EricLA
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Of course there are many things that amaze me about UCONN. But I was reading the Gabby Williams thread and thinking about her development and then got thinking about coaching and development.
First, as we know Geno is the HC of the US National team. Every time he coaches that group we read something about how a superstar who he never coached before says how much she learned from him (which in a way implies it's something these players have not been taught before).
That got me thinking about how Geno coaches and develops kids. First let me say this is NOT a post about bashing any other program, but I'm going to use Tennessee as an example because they are so high profile and because most of our fans have seen at least 1 of their games.
Look at players like Deshields and Russell - the #1 and 2 kids in their classes coming out of HS. I think everyone can agree that DD is a freakish athlete with outstanding individual basketball skills. I think everyone can also agree Russell is tall, agile, and athletic for her size and oozes potential. But... watch these kids play. DD has little interest in team ball and is usually absent when it comes time to play defense. Russell is soft in the post and never seems to get many touches, but also doesn't demand touches when she's posting up. I think it's safe to say both are under-performing compared to their rankings and potential coming out of HS (don't even get me started on Bashara Graves)... Russell has been at Tennessee for 2.5 years now and DD for 1.5. What have they learned and been taught??
Now let's look at some players at UCONN...
Stewie - #1 kid in her class, like DD and Russell, but look at her game compared to her freshman year. Stronger, better passer, EVERYWHERE on defense, fantastic inside game to complement a terrific outside game. Sure she was #1 coming out of HS, but look at how much MORE she can do now as a senior as opposed to as a freshman.
Gabby - top 15 kid by most accounts coming out of HS - as high as #2 per I think ASGR, but after missing 2 years due to injuries, completely lost (and didn't develop) any of her "guard" skills. By her own words, she was not thrilled being asked to play in the post, but look at how she developed. Geno and co. were able to look at her realistically, assess her strengths and weaknesses, and put her in a position to be productive and earn minutes. If she were left as a guard, I bet she'd be parked on the bench behind Saniya in the depth chart because her guard/wing game, while expanding now, is simply not there.
KLS - #1 kid coming out of HS. Many thought of her as a lights out 3-point shooter who would remind everyone of KML and pretty much replace her production. But... her shot has mostly been way off this year, leading at least a few to say on the board "she looks nothing like the #1 kid in the class". Flash forward 3 months. Staff harps on her to play defense AND do lots of other things on the court to contribute. Suddenly, she's starting over Collier, Williams, and Butler. Handles the ball well, plays great defense for her athletic ability, drives to the basket and has solid court vision in dishing out assists. Aside from Stewie, she may be the most well rounded player on the team right now.
I'm sure all of these kids could have gone to other schools and been developed. I know we've pointed to ND especially as programs who coach their kids up and get a lot out of them, but put especially Gabby and Lou at any other program and where exactly would they be right now? My point is, I really do believe UCONN is the best at developing players. Future recruits should really consider that when looking at where they want to spend their college years...
First, as we know Geno is the HC of the US National team. Every time he coaches that group we read something about how a superstar who he never coached before says how much she learned from him (which in a way implies it's something these players have not been taught before).
That got me thinking about how Geno coaches and develops kids. First let me say this is NOT a post about bashing any other program, but I'm going to use Tennessee as an example because they are so high profile and because most of our fans have seen at least 1 of their games.
Look at players like Deshields and Russell - the #1 and 2 kids in their classes coming out of HS. I think everyone can agree that DD is a freakish athlete with outstanding individual basketball skills. I think everyone can also agree Russell is tall, agile, and athletic for her size and oozes potential. But... watch these kids play. DD has little interest in team ball and is usually absent when it comes time to play defense. Russell is soft in the post and never seems to get many touches, but also doesn't demand touches when she's posting up. I think it's safe to say both are under-performing compared to their rankings and potential coming out of HS (don't even get me started on Bashara Graves)... Russell has been at Tennessee for 2.5 years now and DD for 1.5. What have they learned and been taught??
Now let's look at some players at UCONN...
Stewie - #1 kid in her class, like DD and Russell, but look at her game compared to her freshman year. Stronger, better passer, EVERYWHERE on defense, fantastic inside game to complement a terrific outside game. Sure she was #1 coming out of HS, but look at how much MORE she can do now as a senior as opposed to as a freshman.
Gabby - top 15 kid by most accounts coming out of HS - as high as #2 per I think ASGR, but after missing 2 years due to injuries, completely lost (and didn't develop) any of her "guard" skills. By her own words, she was not thrilled being asked to play in the post, but look at how she developed. Geno and co. were able to look at her realistically, assess her strengths and weaknesses, and put her in a position to be productive and earn minutes. If she were left as a guard, I bet she'd be parked on the bench behind Saniya in the depth chart because her guard/wing game, while expanding now, is simply not there.
KLS - #1 kid coming out of HS. Many thought of her as a lights out 3-point shooter who would remind everyone of KML and pretty much replace her production. But... her shot has mostly been way off this year, leading at least a few to say on the board "she looks nothing like the #1 kid in the class". Flash forward 3 months. Staff harps on her to play defense AND do lots of other things on the court to contribute. Suddenly, she's starting over Collier, Williams, and Butler. Handles the ball well, plays great defense for her athletic ability, drives to the basket and has solid court vision in dishing out assists. Aside from Stewie, she may be the most well rounded player on the team right now.
I'm sure all of these kids could have gone to other schools and been developed. I know we've pointed to ND especially as programs who coach their kids up and get a lot out of them, but put especially Gabby and Lou at any other program and where exactly would they be right now? My point is, I really do believe UCONN is the best at developing players. Future recruits should really consider that when looking at where they want to spend their college years...
Anyway it's a valid comparison being how highly rated those two players were coming into college. Of course they could have been overrated also.
