I think Geno may also want to get the message out to the freshmen that just because they were stars on their HS team and in AAU ball , and had personal trainers , that it won't automatically translate into a starting position at the next level , or guarantee PT. He singles out Saniya to let it be known that it took Saniya a year of sitting and watching , limited pt , and a summer of practice to get her where she is today. I think its a good message to send to such a talented freshmen group. Very few UConn freshmen get to start early , Maya and Stewie may be the exceptions. But those 2 are rare talents. Maybe it took the presence of such a talented freshmen class to push Saniya into putting in extra time. And maybe now she is ready.
All the freshmen probably will have starting potential at some point but will have to wait their turn. There is no shame in that when you play for The Huskies.... Look at Stokes. She has 3 FF and 2 NC's to show for it.... And that ain't bad.