Semi-OT Do you think Azura

[BroadwayVa]

Departed UCWBB because she needed the money? Or was it because she wanted more playing time?
I could make a case for the latter. The former makes sense (cents).
She was a dynamic scorer of that there is no doubt .

 

[hoopsfan22]

I say the former. She had to know she was going to be a starter this year had she stayed.

 

[Bama fan]

Departed UCWBB because she needed the money? Or was it because she wanted more playing time?
I could make a case for the latter. The former makes sense (cents).
She was a dynamic scorer of that there is no doubt .

I have no idea, but I like the homophone joke.

 

[EricSD]

Honestly, I think she fancied herself a wing and knew UCONN was going to play her primarily in the post, since that was our need. I'm guessing she simply did not want to bang around in the post.

I'm disappointed in her that she stayed only 1 year. I do not believe that Geno would have let her transfer in had she told him she would only play 1 year. I have no inside knowledge, just my guess.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I believe it was not the money, but have no basis at all for that, since family income statements are not required for a full ride. I think she grew weary of being poked, prodded and challenge with no gaurantee of the college Bling had she stayed. In a way Azura reminds me of Mercedes Russel ... hello? hello? Does anything get you going? Plus her vaunted outside threat disappeared at UConn; too much pressure? Don't get me wrong, glad she came and she owned nothing as she left, but I'd hoped for more and we are gonna miss her. But:

"But part of being a tenacious defender is tied to personality. Stevens, Auriemma says, is a somewhat passive.

“She’s a great, great kid,” Auriemma said. “But she’s laid back.” UConn Newcomers: Azura Stevens Is Not Your Average Transfer

That's the way she left too. I was surprised by her WNBA Rookie Team selection frankly.

 

[Bigboote]

It could also be that she saw what the draft would be like in 2019 and thought her prospects would be better this year.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

It could also be that she saw what the draft would be like in 2019 and thought her prospects would be better this year.

If you are not #1 you might as well be number 10. But maybe she just said I sat a year and it's time to move on and see what $$ I can grab in Europe/mideast/China ball. Now she is well positioned for that, but don't know if anything is public on that front.

 

[JoePgh]

I wonder if she will regret her decision in a few years. She probably assumed that any WNBA coaching staff would be just as good, and maybe better, than the UConn coaches. I doubt that is the case, and at the professional level, I don't know that coaches are really focused on player development. I think they are narrowly focused on winning in the current season, and putting all the pieces together on their roster to do that. If someone has the skills they need, they will play her; otherwise they will trade her or cut her, and find somebody else. They are unlikely to keep her for any length of time in the hope that she will get better, or to spend time with her to improve her skills.

I recall Moriah Jefferson saying something to that effect. I don't remember the exact quote, but it was approximately that "at this level, if you don't improve your skills, the coaches won't push you; they'll just replace you."

If players are self-motivated, they can improve their own skills or even hire a personal skills coach, as Tina Charles most notably did after leaving UConn. But not everyone is that motivated, and I'm not sure that Azura is.

Geno remarked near the end of last season about how coaching Azura was like coaching a freshman because everything was new to her. I think he felt that she could develop into a much better player with another year at UConn, and I think he was right. But obviously Azura didn't see it that way.

 

[Carnac]

Honestly, I think she fancied herself a wing and knew UCONN was going to play her primarily in the post, since that was our need. I'm guessing she simply did not want to bang around in the post.

I'm disappointed in her that she stayed only 1 year. I do not believe that Geno would have let her transfer in had she told him she would only play 1 year. I have no inside knowledge, just my guess.

Ditto!!

 

[nwhoopfan]

She was at UConn 2 years, should've been enough time for Geno to work his magic. Was she honestly any better than she was at Duke? Would one more year have made any significant difference?

 

[Bronx23]

I agree with a lot of the comments above.
I think she would have become a much better player had she stayed this year. I also think she prefers to play more as a wing than as a big and obviously that's not how Geno and U Conn needed and wanted her to play. I also agree that she's surely not very good defensively inside but her height made her needed there.
I've mentioned this here previously that maybe, just maybe, she was on the fence as to this decision as the year was concluding with the NCAA championships and FF ahead of her and her team.
Her team is losing in the semi-finals and and she takes them from a moderate deficit to a moderate lead almost singlehandedly. She then sits on the bench as the third quarter begins and the lead disappears leading to the back and forth game and finish we are all too well aware of. It surely seems reasonable that the thought enters her head, what do I need to do here to get respect and be used fully for my skill set and accomplishments on the court. She seemingly accepted the sixth person role, but maybe this upset her. Also, clearly CD is not physically able to play her game, so starting Azura makes sense there as well. Most I think would likely add this to the list and maybe it turned the balance towards her leaving.
I've stated multiple times here, Geno not only might have blown this game with his 3rd quarter strategy, afterwards his comments were he never thought about changing the usual starting lineup. I think this is even a bigger mistake by the greatest coach ever in team sports. Geno's stubbornness in this regard and maybe none of the coaches pushing a change or his not listening to that advice is much more a concern than his recruiting requirements and style, which I see as a pillar of the success of the program. It may also have contributed to Azura leaving but we likely will never know that.
I'm also sure many other factors came into play.
Bronx23

 

[eebmg]

I think that Azure's 3pt shooting failure at UConn was symptomatic of her difficulties in meeting the demands of UConn in general. On other teams where she would be the #1 option, she would be handled with kid gloves and be given the light on every shot (crazy or not) but with equal of better scoring options all around her, that is not the case. Also, Geno is not going to rah rah rah a player who continually under performs in a particular skill set. She made the right move. I think money and opportunity were big factors but the pressure of UConn must have been part of the equation. My main concern now is that if she had stayed, ONO would not need to be 'rushed' into action but could develop and learn at a steadier pace.

 

[meyers7]

I think it might have had to do with being done with school. She had graduated, got her degree. Her choices were stay in school, take classes and don't get paid, OR get paid and not be bothered with school/classes. Unless you just really want to pursue a Masters in something, might as well move on with your life/career.
Plus you can add in all these other reasons discussed above. Playing position, draft position, etc.

 

[ucbart]

I think it might have had to do with being done with school. She had graduated, got her degree. Her choices were stay in school, take classes and don't get paid, OR get paid and not be bothered with school/classes. Unless you just really want to pursue a Masters in something, might as well move on with your life/career.
Plus you can add in all these other reasons discussed above. Playing position, draft position, etc.

I think she graduated, was done with school, and she wanted to start her career. It's what I did when I got done with college. A'Zura spent four years in college, she just only played one season at UCONN. I'm sad as a fan that she left, but I think she made the right decision for her.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I believe it was not the money, but have no basis at all for that, since family income statements are not required for a full ride. I think she grew weary of being poked, prodded and challenge with no gaurantee of the college Bling had she stayed. In a way Azura reminds me of Mercedes Russel ... hello? hello? Does anything get you going? Plus her vaunted outside threat disappeared at UConn; too much pressure? Don't get me wrong, glad she came and she owned nothing as she left, but I'd hoped for more and we are gonna miss her. But:

"But part of being a tenacious defender is tied to personality. Stevens, Auriemma says, is a somewhat passive.

“She’s a great, great kid,” Auriemma said. “But she’s laid back.” UConn Newcomers: Azura Stevens Is Not Your Average Transfer
Per Usual Sir Night of the Mount--good and proper response. (spell check can't spell knight)
Z is a great kid and extremely talented. She is intelligent. Sometimes people take Pensive, thinking, as passive. She had 2 years at Duke where she was a STAR. At Uconn, with all that scoring talent, she was essentially a sub. If I had her talent an thrust in that role--my ego would have been bruised. That's me . Not necessarily Z.
I would have liked her to say one more year but I understand her taking the opportunity. As has been said she may have seen her potential ranking in the 19 WNBA draft. ONLY Z knows for sure.


That's the way she left too. I was surprised by her WNBA Rookie Team selection frankly.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I think that Azure's 3pt shooting failure at UConn was symptomatic of her difficulties in meeting the demands of UConn in general. On other teams where she would be the #1 option, she would be handled with kid gloves and be given the light on every shot (crazy or not) but with equal of better scoring options all around her, that is not the case. Also, Geno is not going to rah rah rah a player who continually under performs in a particular skill set. She made the right move. I think money and opportunity were big factors but the pressure of UConn must have been part of the equation. My main concern now is that if she had stayed, ONO would not need to be 'rushed' into action but could develop and learn at a steadier pace.

Great post.
Remember Steff? She was rushed into the post job and against Griner in the fall of her first year. It worked well for her. Personality often helps. ONO could have the same opportunity.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Ditto!!

PLEEEASE---keep your answers shortER.

 

[CL82]

If you were college junior and someone told you that you could get dream job in your chosen field immediately, without getting your degree and that choice wasn't going to negatively impact your long term earnings potential, would you have taken it?

I don't know that we need to know her motivations. As I said before, for whatever reason I don't have the connection to Z that I do with most UConn players but I wish her well in life. She's off to a good start.

 

[HopJim]

Honestly, I think she fancied herself a wing and knew UCONN was going to play her primarily in the post, since that was our need. I'm guessing she simply did not want to bang around in the post.

I'm disappointed in her that she stayed only 1 year. I do not believe that Geno would have let her transfer in had she told him she would only play 1 year. I have no inside knowledge, just my guess.

Curious. Why wouldn't Geno want a 1st round draft level talent playing for a year and equally important, practicing for 2 years (i.e. helping improve the competition)? Candidly, not many other good choices available.

 

[Geew1992]

If you were college junior and someone told you that you could get dream job in your chosen field immediately, without getting your degree and that choice wasn't going to negatively impact your long term earnings potential, would you have taken it?

I don't know that we need to know her motivations. As I said before, for whatever reason I don't have the connection to Z that I do with most UConn players but I wish her well in life. She's off to a good start.

But she was a senior in college that earned her degree.

I think she wanted to start her career. No more classes. No more homework. Just playing the game she loves.

 

[EricSD]

Curious. Why wouldn't Geno want a 1st round draft level talent playing for a year and equally important, practicing for 2 years (i.e. helping improve the competition)? Candidly, not many other good choices available.

Because in his experience, and he's said it in the past, JUCO's rarely work out because they take several years to undo bad habits and get up to speed on the UCONN way. Rashidat Sadiq was the last JUCO he took and she only lasted 1 year.

I know Z wasn't a JUCO but given Geno's comments and avoidance of kids with limited eligibility left, I am left with the opinion he would have passed on her had he known upfront she's only play 1 season. Having said that, he took a long hard look at the graduate transfer Anriel Howard. I don't believe a scholly was offered to her, and I don't think the reason was what I echoed above re: Stevens. So I'm left wondering if maybe he would have let Stevens transfer even if she only promised 1 year playing for him.We'll probably never know. He's certainly changed his recruiting tactics over the years to keep up with the changing times...

 

[dwalks93]

Azura's future for the next decade plus will be playing pro basketball. She had the opportunity to be a top 10 pick and begin earning pro money a year early. Her decision to leave is no more complicated than that...

One can argue she could have improved her skill set coming back another year or perhaps even improved her draft status but her dream was to play pro ball. Who knows what would have happened if she came back? Maybe she get injured, etc....there is always a risk in returning and obviously Azura wanted to live her dream now.

Sometimes you have to take an opportunity when its available and leaving early is going to become more common in the women's game. If a male college player had the opportunity to turn pro early as a top 10 pick it would not even be a discussion whether he should go.

I'm disappointed as a UConn fan but I can't fault Azura's decision.

 

[Waquoit]

I agree with the "wanted to get out in the world" sentiment. She had her degree.

 

[j66kicker]

Azura's future for the next decade plus will be playing pro basketball. She had the opportunity to be a top 10 pick and begin earning pro money a year early. Her decision to leave is no more complicated than that...

One can argue she could have improved her skill set coming back another year or perhaps even improved her draft status but her dream was to play pro ball. Who knows what would have happened if she came back? Maybe she get injured, etc....there is always a risk in returning and obviously Azura wanted to live her dream now.

Sometimes you have to take an opportunity when its available and leaving early is going to become more common in the women's game. If a male college player had the opportunity to turn pro early as a top 10 pick it would not even be a discussion whether he should go.

I'm disappointed as a UConn fan but I can't fault Azura's decision.

She already knew all that when she transferred.

 

[willtalk]

I strongly suspect that she was not a fan of Geno's tendency to push players to be the best that they can be. I believe she believed that Geno would make her a better player so she transferred in. However it probably never occurred to her the process he would put her through to achieve that goal. You sort of had to read between the lines of Geno's statements in respect to her last season at UConn. Geno was becoming frustrated with her.

Bottom line is that every player has the right to make their own choices in respect to their careers. Had she stayed for one more year she would have become a better player, but it was her choice not to to expand her inside game. As others have said she see's herself as a wing due to her skill set. She probably would have benefited in the long run developing her inside game as well even if she would eventually be playing outside. She could have been more of a duel threat.

 

[veryolddog]

In my low opinion, Z left because of a unknown and un-discussed irritation that only she knows.

 

[Carnac]

I think that Azure's 3pt shooting failure at UConn was symptomatic of her difficulties in meeting the demands of UConn in general. On other teams where she would be the #1 option, she would be handled with kid gloves and be given the light on every shot (crazy or not) but with equal of better scoring options all around her, that is not the case. Also, Geno is not going to rah rah rah a player who continually under performs in a particular skill set. She made the right move. I think money and opportunity were big factors but the pressure of UConn must have been part of the equation. My main concern now is that if she had stayed, ONO would not need to be 'rushed' into action but could develop and learn at a steadier pace.

Some of the responding posters in this thread view Stevens' leaving through the same lens. In short, because of the team's desperate need for height in the paint, she was asked to play a position she was not comfortable with, or necessarily wanted to play. She was a wing a Duke. Elizabeth Williams played the post position while Azura was there. She comes to UConn and Geno asks her to play in the paint. I'm sure that dynamic was explained to her in detail during the face to face interview that took place BEFORE a final decision was made by both parties.

Whether she liked it or not, her 6'6" frame was needed in the general paint area. Geno did not have anyone else. The next tallest player Lou (6'3") is not a post player. Stevens did what she came to Storrs to do, play another year, and get her degree. I suspect she never fancied herself being a square peg in a round hole, but that was the offer. At the end of post-season play this past season, Stevens had traversed the rice paper without leaving any footprints. She also snatched the pebbles from Geno's hand. It was time for her to go.

And go she did. The 6th overall pick in the first round. In a preseason interview in Dallas, she was asked if she had any regrets about leaving UConn, she said no! She said she has always felt she made the right decision without any remorse. The fact that she left suggests that she felt she had nothing else to prove, and nothing else to gain. So she closed that particular chapter of her life, turned the page and began a new one.

What position did she play this past season for Dallas? That's right, a wing. She was able to return to her comfort zone and get paid for it. Even though she was on the second team, she made the WNBA all-rookie team. When one takes in all things about her being at UConn and leaving into consideration, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out why she left (reasons that probably will never be made public). In her mind, there was really no reason to stay.

 

[eebmg]

Most of the responding posters in this thread view Stevens' leaving through the same lens. In short, because of the team's desperate need for height in the paint, she was asked to play a position she was not comfortable with, or necessarily wanted to play. She was a wing a Duke. Elizabeth Williams played the post position while Azura was there. She comes to UConn and Geno asks her to play in the paint. I'm sure that dynamic was explained to her in detail during the face to face interview that took place BEFORE a final decision was made by both parties.

Whether she liked it or not, her 6'6" frame was needed in the paint. Geno did not have anyone else. The next tallest player Lou (6'3") is not a post player. Stevens did what she came to Storrs to do, play another year, and get her degree. I suspect she never fancied herself being a square peg in a round hole, but that was the offer. At the end of post-season play this past season, Stevens had traversed the rice paper without leaving any footprints. She also snatched the pebbles from Geno's hand. It was time for her to go.

And go she did. The 6th overall pick in the first round. In a preseason interview in Dallas, she was asked if she had any regrets about leaving UConn, she said no! She said she has always felt she made the right decision without any remorse. The fact that she left suggests that she felt she had nothing else to prove, and nothing else to gain. So she closed that particular chapter of her life, turned the page and began a new one.

What position did she play this past season for the Wings? That's right, a wing. She was able to return to her comfort zone and get paid for it. Even though she was on the second team, she made the all-rookie team as well. When one takes all things about her being there and leaving into consideration, it's not hard to figure out why she left. In her mind, there was really no reason to stay.

I disagree with the narrative that Geno wanted her to play mainly in the post because she is 6' 6" and they needed her there. I think he tried to do with her what he does with all his players. Identify weaknesses and have them get better at them. To completely shy away from the post as a 6' 6"player would have been a great disservice. I have no doubt he saw Azure as a Stewie type player who should be dangerous at every location of the floor. This is the language he now uses to describe Stewie with obvious pleasure. Unfortunately, Azure herself scuttled that plan by shooting so poorly from 3 that he had to push her to the post even more to be useful. If she could have hit at a 30% clip from 3, I think he would have gladly let her maneuver in and out of the lane.

The fact that she is playing a wing position in the WNBA is a good peace of luck for her with Cambage taking on so much center duties as well as simply hitting her shots. If Azure wants to be an All Star however, she better diversify her game and looking at how Stewie does things is a pretty good place to start.

In all, I agree that she was smart to leave. For whatever reason, she was not reaching her full potential at Storrs but the fault had nothing to do with how she was being used.

 

[Carnac]

I disagree with the narrative that Geno wanted her to play mainly in the post because she is 6' 6" and they needed her there. I think he tried to do with her what he does with all his players. Identify weaknesses and have them get better at them. To completely shy away from the post as a 6' 6"player would have been a great disservice. I have no doubt he saw Azure as a Stewie type player who should be dangerous at every location of the floor. This is the language he now uses to describe Stewie with obvious pleasure. Unfortunately, Azure herself scuttled that plan by shooting so poorly from 3 that he had to push her to the post even more to be useful. If she could have hit at a 30% clip from 3, I think he would have gladly let her maneuver in and out of the lane.

The fact that she is playing a wing position in the WNBA is a good peace of luck for her with Cambage taking on so much center duties as well as simply hitting her shots. If Azure wants to be an All Star however, she better diversify her game and looking at how Stewie does things is a pretty good place to start.

In all, I agree that she was smart to leave. For whatever reason, she was not reaching her full potential at Storrs but the fault had nothing to do with how she was being used.

Comment noted. We see it differently. I do agree with parts of your narrative. Unless you have inside information I don't (and will share), I remain of the opinion that how she was being used played a significant role in her decision to leave. It's also possible that she was leaving after she was eligible to graduate regardless. If someone can enlighten me with information on this that I don't currently have, then of course my opinion on this can certainly change. Did you read some of the other posts in this thread?

Here's one:
I think Z started to get the feeling that if she kept playing the low post in the UConn system, her status as a "unique" player viewed through WNBA eyes may have been disrupted (not to mention some already superalative assessments of her game that may come as a surprise to some at the BY). Also, if she is going to the Sky, Dolson and Coates will most likely be able handle the bruising stuff down low and she will be able to roam like her instincts want her to.

Recognize this post? You should, it's yours from April 10.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

If you were college junior and someone told you that you could get dream job in your chosen field immediately, without getting your degree and that choice wasn't going to negatively impact your long term earnings potential, would you have taken it?

I don't know that we need to know her motivations. As I said before, for whatever reason I don't have the connection to Z that I do with most UConn players but I wish her well in life. She's off to a good start.

Actually, she will get her degree I believe. 4 yrs of college, but, well, I never saw the certificate and these pesky athletes take reduced credits in season etc no matter how prestigious the school. Struck me as a poised, articulate lass. Duke and all. So, I figure she got it done @CL82 on the QT. Or will. UConn's Azura Stevens Declares For WNBA Draft, Forgoing Senior Season

She was rather busy in the summer. So, I suspect she may take on line course from a UConn acredited school like USNH if the Russian censors allow it.