Serah Williams On Why UConn

[Bone Dog]

Serah and Latson will score less points per game than they did last year because they are on much better teams. Yes they have better passers around them, but better scorers and shooters too. Their shot attempts per minute will decrease, but their percentages and efficiency will increase as mediocre percentage shots will be weened from their game.

Excellent observation! It’s really hard to predict how these factors will play out. Maybe someone could write a calculus equation to figure it out lol. But I really wonder if there isn’t a simpler answer. Geno and Dawn will influence all the results and they are very goal oriented. If Dawn sees featuring Latson’s point production as important to the team’s success, she will get all the shot attempts she needs, as well as sets designed to get her open.

As for Geno, last season he was getting almost 60 pts/g from his big three by the tournament and he surely understands how rare that is. Serah has already shown she can score 19/game on a mediocre team in a P2 conference. Geno has all he needs to get Serah plenty of opportunities this season and the perimeter shooting talent to clear double teams away from her in the paint. She may not get to 19 this season, but I bet she’ll get better than15 points per game.

Once again, the X factor that might impact Serah’s production is Blanca. Depending on how she develops this season, she may take up more or less of the available shot opportunities.

 

[oldude]

Excellent observation! It’s really hard to predict how these factors will play out. Maybe someone could write a calculus equation to figure it out lol. But I really wonder if there isn’t a simpler answer. Geno and Dawn will influence all the results and they are very goal oriented. If Dawn sees featuring Latson’s point production as important to the team’s success, she will get all the shot attempts she needs, as well as sets designed to get her open.

As for Geno, last season he was getting almost 60 pts/g from his big three by the tournament and he surely understands how rare that is. Serah has already shown she can score 19/game on a mediocre team in a P2 conference. Geno has all he needs to get Serah plenty of opportunities this season and the perimeter shooting talent to clear double teams away from her in the paint. She may not get to 19 this season, but I bet she’ll get better than15 points per game.

Once again, the X factor that might impact Serah’s production is Blanca. Depending on how she develops this season, she may take up more or less of the available shot opportunities.

Dawn has never had a “high volume shooter” in the history of her program. The key to SC’s success has been a deep bench and balanced offensive attack.

This past season, Latson averaged almost 20 shot attempts per game. In contrast, Fulwiley lead the Gamecocks with just over 10 shots per game. While I suspect that Latson will lead the Gamecocks in shot attempts this coming season, I would be very surprised if it totals more than 10-12 per game.

 

[Bone Dog]

Dawn has never had a “high volume shooter” in the history of her program. The key to SC’s success has been a deep bench and balanced offensive attack.

That’s a good point. But I think Dawn wanted PaoPao to take a lot more shots over her two seasons than she did. This was a recurring theme in postgame interviews. But you’re right that this hasn’t been the norm for SC. I guess part of it reflects the sort of game Dawn is comfortable with and this shapes her recruiting. She hasn’t usually had great shooters but she’s always had great athletes and especially posts. But after Aliyah and Kamila graduated she’s hasn’t had a great posts — good ones to be sure, but not great ones. Maybe this has shifted her thinking.

 

[PhillyCoach]

The way I determine the # 1 transfer recruit is simply--Who helps UConn the most? If Geno took Latson, would that move be more advantageous vs what Serah brings? Not even close when you look at the entire picture with "D" and "needs". Would another 5"8" guard be more beneficial, even if they can score big? Seems obvious to me.

 

[oldude]

That’s a good point. But I think Dawn wanted PaoPao to take a lot more shots over her two seasons than she did. This was a recurring theme in postgame interviews. But you’re right that this hasn’t been the norm for SC. I guess part of it reflects the sort of game Dawn is comfortable with and this shapes her recruiting. She hasn’t usually had great shooters but she’s always had great athletes and especially posts. But after Aliyah and Kamila graduated she’s hasn’t had a great posts — good ones to be sure, but not great ones. Maybe this has shifted her thinking.

I don’t think Dawn has changed her philosophy. She won a lot of games last season by pounding the ball inside and crashing the boards in waves. That strategy worked beautifully for just about every opponent the Gamecocks faced not named UConn.

Against the Huskies, on 2 occasions, Geno’s team gave a master class in ball and player movement, connected defense and shot making, that no other team in WBB had the capability of executing. Despite the acquisition of Latson, SC’s roster is still very much an inside the paint oriented team with Edwards, Okot, Tac, Kitts and Dauda. Okot in particular as a 6’6” Big was brought in as a transfer to play 5’ from the basket.

 

[HopJim]

In terms of what has already been said, Serah probably wasn't the top transfer, but she was among the top, the best at the position we needed most, and our #1 target and best fit.

Serah and Latson will score less points per game than they did last year because they are on much better teams. Yes they have better passers around them, but better scorers and shooters too. Their shot attempts per minute will decrease, but their percentages and efficiency will increase as mediocre percentage shots will be weened from their game.

As for the uniform pictures, I sometimes wonder why so many players allow it if they are not sure yet where they are going. I understand they are pressured to do so, but I still think it is a bad look to wear the uniform and then go elsewhere later. It also might be a status symbol in this social media world.

Just like when recruits have a post showing say 15 or more schools with their logos saying they received an offer from that school. I'm sure they are not seriously considering more than a half dozen or so, but showing all those schools seems to show to others how valued they were. Instead of just saying I am going wherever, when they decide, it is also I could have gone to South Carolina, Notre Dame, LSU, USC, UCLA, Stanford and sometimes Uconn, but I turned them down in favor of my chosen school.

I may be going out on a limb on that view, but I have never understood very long considering lists and then multiple countdowns to shorter lists. One finalist list of 5-6 names max if you must, and then a final decision IMO.

Suspect that NIL is changing the way recruiting takes place. Is taking pictures of a recruit in the potential university uniform tacky? While some would say so, if you were attempting to motivate a higher NIL commitment, some would say this is one tactic to try. Not saying Serah did this but suggesting that with the increased money that is now involved, we will see different behaviors in the future.

 

[PacoSwede]

I think Serah was the #1 post player, ...

I could wax lyrical on Serah’s skills, ... But in the end, talent is only half the equation, even though Geno has assembled an incredibly talented roster. The other, and perhaps more important half is motivation. How hungry is Serah? That’s what we’ll find out starting in November.

this sparked a train of thought:

in this true and unique situation (Geno has assembled an incredibly talented roster), motivative is a key link to ultimate success, but that (motivation) can easily be derailed by failed chemistry among the extremely talented teammates. so indeed, the chemistry that emerges is the key to success.

with this kind of talent (and coaching) another NC could be achieved even with poor chemistry. teams without great chemistry have done it. but i wouldn't be
thrilled if this is the case for the '25-'26 huskies. i think it is better for all if the players can have fun and enjoy themselves and win without dealing with conflicting egos and petty resentments.

as fans, we like to believe this always is true at uconn. i think that's fantasyland. fact is, we have a very dim idea of what's going on in the locker room and dorms, and the staff tries to -- and is very good at -- keeping us in the dark.

i see the chemistry that develops in this exceptionally talented group as the most interesting question mark this season. there are 5 new pieces added to the stew.

 

[cancontent]

this sparked a train of thought:

in this true and unique situation (Geno has assembled an incredibly talented roster), motivative is a key link to ultimate success, but that (motivation) can easily be derailed by failed chemistry among the extremely talented teammates. so indeed, the chemistry that emerges is the key to success.

with this kind of talent (and coaching) another NC could be achieved even with poor chemistry. teams without great chemistry have done it. but i wouldn't be
thrilled if this is the case for the '25-'26 huskies. i think it is better for all if the players can have fun and enjoy themselves and win without dealing with conflicting egos and petty resentments.

as fans, we like to believe this always is true at uconn. i think that's fantasyland. fact is, we have a very dim idea of what's going on in the locker room and dorms, and the staff tries to -- and is very good at -- keeping us in the dark.

i see the chemistry that develops in this exceptionally talented group as the most interesting question mark this season. there are 5 new pieces added to the stew.

This is all I'm focused on as well. The talent is there. Question to me is how quickly do they gel on the court.

 

[ec33]

Some folks have suggested that everyone puts on a school’s uniform and takes photos on recruiting visits. I don’t believe that’s correct, specifically in regards to UConn. I don’t believe you get to wear a UConn uniform until picture day, which occurs sometime after classes and formal practices start.

UConn does give recruits school sweatshirts or jackets when they visit, stuff that anyone can purchase in the school bookstore. Hence the photo of Serah Williams with a Husky jacket on once she officially transferred to UConn. But there was no photo of Serah in an official uniform in front of the Husky logo as with LSU.

Pretty sure there were photos of Heckel in a UConn uniform.

I would not judge "normal" by how the UConn women's basketball team operates. They have a unique position within the sport and they also brought in 44-y.o. Morgan Valley in to inject "youth" into the operation.

 

[oldude]

Pretty sure there were photos of Heckel in a UConn uniform.

Nope. Kayleigh’s transfer announcement was accompanied by a photo of her in a UConn “bookstore” sweatshirt. At UConn there are no premature photos of players in official UConn uniforms at least until they earn it through some hard team practices.

 

[Bone Dog]

this sparked a train of thought:

in this true and unique situation (Geno has assembled an incredibly talented roster), motivative is a key link to ultimate success, but that (motivation) can easily be derailed by failed chemistry among the extremely talented teammates. so indeed, the chemistry that emerges is the key to success.

I look at the key personalities and they were all the go-to players on their high school teams. Azzi, Carol, Sarah, KK, Ash, Ayanna, and even Morgan, Ice, Jana and Allie That's a type Geno looks for. They may or may not have the best skills, but they know how to build chemistry and to rally around one another.

Ash in particular seems like a prototype for this. Watch her high school games on YouTube and you see this trait in shining colors.

This isn't the same thing as chemistry, but it is an important precursor to it, and Geno has found a bunch of kids like this.

 

[oldude]

I look at the key personalities and they were all the go-to players on their high school teams. Azzi, Carol, Sarah, KK, Ash, Ayanna, and even Morgan, Ice, Jana and Allie That's a type Geno looks for. They may or may not have the best skills, but they know how to build chemistry and to rally around one another.

Ash in particular seems like a prototype for this. Watch her high school games on YouTube and you see this trait in shining colors.

This isn't the same thing as chemistry, but it is an important precursor to it, and Geno has found a bunch of kids like this.

If you’re not a TEAM first player, Geno doesn’t want you on his team, plain and simple.

 

[CL82]

I believe it is done to have when they commit not before. That is the way it should be anyhow.

I am more familiar with it in men's basketball where it typically is done at the time of their visit. Photos often are released as part of the post visit hype. I view the LSU thing as a non-event.

 

[BobbyJ]

Pretty sure there were photos of Heckel in a UConn uniform.

I would not judge "normal" by how the UConn women's basketball team operates. They have a unique position within the sport and they also brought in 44-y.o. Morgan Valley in to inject "youth" into the operation.

This is all there was: https://www.theuconnblog.com/2025/5...recruiting-lands-usc-transfer-kayleigh-heckel

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I am more familiar with it in men's basketball where it typically is done at the time of their visit. Photos often are released as part of the post visit hype. I view the LSU thing as a non-event.

I have no problem with it if they pay the athlete. They are just hyping their program with the quick impression that super stud is in fact signed. Yeah, it saves a potential trip back to campus if he does commit. What it is is supremely tacky. But then most sports promotion is tacky. Is it a big deal, no not at all.

 

[HuskyNan]

As for Geno, last season he was getting almost 60 pts/g from his big three by the tournament and he surely understands how rare that is. Serah has already shown she can score 19/game on a mediocre team in a P2 conference.

Serah scored 19 vs USC-west and 22 vs UCLA.

Serah Williams | Women's Basketball | Wisconsin Badgers

Serah Williams (25) F - Honors: Four-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, 2023 All Freshman Team, 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, 2024 All-B1G Defensive

uwbadgers.com

 

[RockyMTblue2]

It will be interesting to see, with the speed and great passers we have, whether her scoring average actually goes up, at least on cold shooting 3s nights. We forget, but those do exist.

 

[ec33]

Nope. Kayleigh’s transfer announcement was accompanied by a photo of her in a UConn “bookstore” sweatshirt. At UConn there are no premature photos of players in official UConn uniforms at least until they earn it through some hard team practices.

So the photo ops are okay as long as they aren't in a uniform? That is the objection to the practices of all other programs in many different sports?

Personally, I never noticed the distinction because I honestly do not care. I personally find it funny to watch kids mug it up during these photo sessions whey they have zero intention of ever committing to that school. But the recruits love it -- and that is the point.

Given that this is all against the backdrop of how much they are going to be paid or how guaranteed PT they will get, I will enjoy the silliness of the photo ops.

 

[oldude]

So the photo ops are okay as long as they aren't in a uniform? That is the objection to the practices of all other programs in many different sports?

Personally, I never noticed the distinction because I honestly do not care. I personally find it funny to watch kids mug it up during these photo sessions whey they have zero intention of ever committing to that school. But the recruits love it -- and that is the point.

Given that this is all against the backdrop of how much they are going to be paid or how guaranteed PT they will get, I will enjoy the silliness of the photo ops.

Kids can do whatever they want when it comes to photos. They are kids. My original criticism was of the LSU WBB program for posting a photo of Serah immediately after her visit to Baton Rouge in an official uniform in front of the LSU logo, indicating to the basketball world that she was headed to LSU.

After Serah committed to UConn I called LSU’s decision silly and amateurish. But I will go one better. If LSU believed that by posting that photo on social media they could pressure Serah into committing, Kim and company should be criticized for what amounted to a terrible lapse in judgment.

 

[Bigboote]

Serah scored 19 vs USC-west and 22 vs UCLA.

Serah Williams | Women's Basketball | Wisconsin Badgers

Serah Williams (25) F - Honors: Four-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, 2023 All Freshman Team, 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, 2024 All-B1G Defensive

uwbadgers.com

I’m not sure I’ve seen this pointed out, but since folks are kind of discussing Serah’s qualifications: She is not the first 2-time all-B1G post UConn has signed. IMO Dorka worked out pretty well.