Saniya Chong IMO will be the next Renee Montgomery after this season

[baggerbob]

She really needs to start playing better then today. She had a chance in a big game situation with the injury to KML, to show Geno that she is ready to play in crunch time.

 

[Buzzyboy]

To be fair, Saniya is better than what Moriah was at this point in her freshman season, and look at Moriah now.
Buzzyboys Comments FOLLOW ..................... I think you are watching different games then I am if you feel that Saniya is anywhere near the player Moriah is or was. Moriah has physical tools that Saniya doesn't have and can't attain but she's not alone. There are few players that have ever played the game of women's basketball that have the tools of Moriah Jefferson. I think there's little doubt that she's going to be better than Renee Montgomery, if she isn't already there. The only area that I think Renee "might" have an advantage, at least presently, is in three point shooting but based on Moriah's determination and work ethic, that may soon in coming. I am off the charts in how good she is. I had my doubts about her being as good as she was rated coming out of high school until late in her freshman year but she harnessed all her energy, and gained control of her skill set. She was outstanding in the NCAA tournament though overshadowed by the marvelous Ms Breanna Stewart and her phenomenal performance. She was the highest rated point guard EVER by Hoopsgurl and it's so evident why. The only former UConn point guard she may have trouble surpassing is Sue Bird in terms of greatness. She is a fan favorite of more of my UConn friends than just about anyone else and the reason why is obvious. She's relentless on both sides of the ball and she is totally disruptive to her court counterparts. She really makes her opponent work so hard that they really don't have nearly the opportunity to get in the offensive flow of the game, decidedly helping the Huskies. A real special player.

 

[Buzzyboy]

KML, TBS and MoJet will definitely start. I think that Kiah will start also. As for the fifth starter, it will be Morgan, Saniya or BB, with, I think, equal probabilities at this time, assuming and hoping that Morgan's knee is fully mended. Which of the frosh will emerge as the eighth regular, if any, is impossible to predict. They are all great prospects. But I will be amazed if any of them crack the starting lineup, in the normal course of events.

As far as Saniya's future prospects, I am inclined to agree with Tony; she is going to be outstanding. She is not doing more now simply because there is no reason for her to. When you are on the floor with the best center in wcbb, the best shooter in wcbb AND the best over-all offensive player in wcbb, and/or one or two of the best slashers in wcbb, there is not much call to engage in individual heroics. She takes her shots when they are there, she gets her steals and rebounds and assists. If and when the situation calls for her to step up her individual offense, I have no doubt that she will.

The inclination is for me to think that with all the options the Huskies have, Saniya gets very little attention from the opposing team. That would seem to give her an enormous advantage to be able to pick up some impressive numbers, both shooting and assist wise. With so many other offensive options, almost any pass could easily result in a made basket, giving her an assist. With so much focus on the AA's, she probably is more open to shots than most freshman that have ever worn a UConn jersey. I really haven't seen her do a lot of the things out there that really scream out to me that she'll ever be a real Go To person on this team. I'm a really big fan of the Huskies so I'm hopeful I'm wrong because I want all our girls to be super but I think there's the potential that with the girls coming in that she will eventually be a little further down the bench then she was this year. No slight to her because she's good but with Kia Nurse and company coming in with more size and strength and amazing skills, something's got to give. The Huskies don't typically start freshman but doesn't Kia sound like someone who could come in immediately and make some noise????? With the experience she's getting with the Canadian national team, she may be way ahead of some of the others.

 

[UcMiami]

The guard/wing situation is really interesting next year and into the following years. Any comparison to Montgomery I think is off base because of situation and personality - From day one Rene was forced into a leadership position and her personality suited that - she was the biggest busybody on the team for 4 years - knowing everybody's business all the time. That is not a description of Moriah or Saniya. I do think Saniya probably has an advantage over Banks in both passing and shooting so if she makes that leap her sophomore season she is probably starting over Banks but I think they both get share time.
For the incoming freshman - I think they get as much time resting Kaleena as they do either of the guard spots.
I am really intrigued by Nurse in that I think she will come in as a more mature player than a typical freshman - partly because Canada is half way to the English system which matures kids faster, and because of her National team experience playing with teammates that are 25-30 years old instead of age mates.
A lot depends on Wilson's decision, but if she goes elsewhere and if the freshman come along quickly I could also see Geno playing some of his own version of 40 minutes of dread with a four guard pressing and trapping defense with Stewart or Stokes at the basket ready to swat away anyone who gets past the guards.
I also expect Kiah to start - she has quietly become quite a good passer and she has the size and strength to play post defense - something you really don't want Stewart doing with the possibility of more fouls and more wear and tear. With the report that Morgan isn't able to do anything at all until mid-summer, I think she will be brought along slowly next year. And while she is a strong player, it would be like the times Geno had to play Maya in the post her senior year - not an ideal situation.

 

[MarieM]

By the next Renee Montogmery, you mean she'll be a captain her by sophmore year ???