Solo Ball’s methodical approach to basketball, life and ‘becoming great’

[HooperScooper]

A Mike Anthony special (i.e. it's a really long article).

“He struggled a little bit early in Big East play, and those games are really tough on freshmen,” Hurley said. “But it was really hard to give an explanation to him and his family, especially after, like, Carolina at the Garden, where he’s one of the two or three main reasons we won — and then six weeks later he had fallen out of the rotation.

“But I think he’s got a good chance, in my mind, to be the guy who makes the biggest jump for us this year. It’s like a bankable thing where just what I’m seeing every day — the shooting, the athleticism, the pedigree. He’s just got to get better defensively, he’s got to get better with his passing and his feel for things. But he looks like a guy that’s going to have a big year.”

https://www.nhregister.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/solomon-ball-dan-hurley-uconn-huskies-19830263.php

Alternate access:

UConn sophomore Solo Ball’s methodical approach to basketball, life and ‘becoming great’​

 

[Umami Zen]

Couldn't agree with Danny more. If Solo can improve his floor game-passing/seeing the floor/sharing the ball within the flow of the offense/commitment to D/boards- He'll really elevate his overall game. The simpler stuff/effort stuff. His athletic talent and shot making come naturally to him. Growing right in front of our eyes.

 

[husky429]

IMO the only person at this point who is going to dictate Solo's success is himself. ALL of the tools are there; was he willing to make the sacrifices to be great this off-season? Early indications are an enethusiastic HELL yes.

 

[awy]

he's playing with tremendous confidence, really growing into the system.

 

[Stasher599]

Congrats to Solo for his trust in the process and dedication to outworking others and putting himself in position to be great. I give him so much credit for how he dealt with losing his spot in the rotation and to refocus his energy to making the jump the coaches have hoped for. I thought it would be Stewart we would be talking about but Solo is the man and will have a great opportunity contributing to a 3peat and possibly dynasty.

 

[aceboon]

Article not long at all, this is what reporting is supposed to look like and could get even more detailed in regards to what went into his prep/development over the offseason. That's why I like and pay for The Athletic.

 

[auror]

Must be Solo Ball Day with this and the Self Scout on Storrs Central dropping the same day. One narrative, the other stats/film. Pretty comprehensive taken together.

He must have looked pretty funny with size 13s at 5'4".

 

[Palatine]

Great article. In depth with no fluff.

 

[superjohn]

Must be Solo Ball Day with this and the Self Scout on Storrs Central dropping the same day. One narrative, the other stats/film. Pretty comprehensive taken together.

He must have looked pretty funny with size 13s at 5'4".

Solo claims a 45.5 inch vertical.

 

[ctbro1999]

Solo's gonna be a DOG this year.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Must be Solo Ball Day with this and the Self Scout on Storrs Central dropping the same day. One narrative, the other stats/film. Pretty comprehensive taken together.

He must have looked pretty funny with size 13s at 5'4".

Like a Pitbull with giant paws as a puppy lol

 

[borninansonia]

Solo claims a 45.5 inch vertical.

When I was young and playing bball everyday, I had a 45 cm vertical, well, almost 45 cm. Now it's closer to 45 mm.

 

[MTHusky]

When I was young and playing bball everyday, I had a 45 cm vertical, well, almost 45 cm. Now it's closer to 45 mm.

Heck, I can't even make 25 mm let alone 45 mm, LOL, it must have been our upbringing growing up in Ansonia. Once "The Lavender" now "The Chargers"

 

[Mr. French]

This is a cool article - I'm one of the founding members (stats and times unverified) of the Solo fan club and a believer that he's going to make that "sophomore leap" we've seen the last few years here. I've always felt he was "next" amongst last year's crew.

I love seeing his depth as a person and his work ethic and focus being emphasized. Add that stuff to his athleticism and shooting? I'm ready.

 

[Hunt for 7]

If Solo elevates to what Hawk was as a sophomore and maybe more as he is blessed with insane measurable skills, Liam plays as projected, AK is AK and Stewart works and plays himself into the conversation as a first round pick……we will challenge for #3 in a row.

 

[RuffRuff]

If Solo and/or Stew can get drafted this year, the recruiting sell is gonna be ridiculously easy.

 

[InKembaITrust]

He looked like a man amongst boys against Rhody.

 

[Son of Robert]

I'm sure rooming with Stephon Castle last year had a nice influence on him.

 

[caw]

I know it was a scrimmage against URI but he looked much less hesitant.

 

[alphasigko]

Great read. It appears that Solo really has his act together. I hope he reaches all of his goals. Thanks for posting.

 

[jibsey]

Seems like he is the most athletically gifted player on the team. We all saw it last year when he skied over players 6” taller for putbacks. Andre like at a lesser height? But he can shoot, I know his position is different. I expect big stuff from him this year. Castle grew before our eyes last year and Solo is that guy this year.

 

[ctbro1999]

Seems like he is the most athletically gifted player on the team. We all saw it last year when he skied over players 6” taller for putbacks. Andre like at a lesser height? But he can shoot, I know his position is different. I expect big stuff from him this year. Castle grew before our eyes last year and Solo is that guy this year.

As much as I want to see how he's improved as a scorer, I want to see how he handles himself in defense just as much. While it was just an exhibition game, seemed like Solo was all over the place making plays on D during the Rhode Island game.

 

[RuffRuff]

Seems like he is the most athletically gifted player on the team. We all saw it last year when he skied over players 6” taller for putbacks. Andre like at a lesser height? But he can shoot, I know his position is different. I expect big stuff from him this year. Castle grew before our eyes last year and Solo is that guy this year.

Easily most athletically gifted, but not quite the twitchy player AJax is. That comes with its downside (shooting). When Solo was on the floor last year it felt like he was in 3rd gear a lot. If he can keep it in 5th he’ll have a breakout season.

 

[knicksin7]

He just sounds like a great kid, super focused, thinking about the journey, not just the immediate destination. Absolutely awesome. Hurley knows how to pick them.

 

[CL82]

The biggest take away from the URI game for me was how confident Solo looked. It looks like the game has slowed way way down for him.

 

[ddent68]

If Solo and/or Stew can get drafted this year, the recruiting sell is gonna be ridiculously easy.

Could not agree more. The credibility Hurley will have built will be unparalleled. He’s a straight shooter and always levels with these kids and now he’s proving his words are true. He told Steph do what I ask for the betterment of the team and we will win and you will be a lottery pick. He told Solo to wait his turn and work. Same for Stew. If either of them get drafted it proves his model works. Kids can take it to the bank. Come to UConn listen to the coaches and your dreams will come true.

 

[RuffRuff]

Interesting comp from Roth, who was back at UConn after a visit to Quinny. Feel free to check a few other of his observations from today on Twitter.

 

[controlfade]

Interesting comp from Roth, who was back at UConn after a visit to Quinny.

lol, a few hours ago you were going off on people in regards to comps on players.

 

[444JR]

I know it’s crazy.. but hear me out.. their games are not like for like, but Solo’s potential year two impact, after minimal national buzz as a freshman, reminds me of Ja Morant while at Murray St.

 

[RuffRuff]

lol, a few hours ago you were going off on people in regards to comps on players.

Also a pretty weird comp. Jon is at least assessing against the wider universe not past/recent UConn players. He’s also watching a known commodity in person, not looking at 30 seconds of HS practice videos .

I don’t know what is fact versus what is assumed but have seen Solo’s wingspan at 6’10” and his vertical as high as 43” (self reported at highest of 45”). If true that is like top 5% stuff. Morant is listed at 6’7” wingspan and a vertical of 44-46”. And Morant is only 6’2”. For reference, Jordan is known as having one of the highest ever at 48”.

Sheppard’s vert was 42”, which was noted as surprisingly high, his wingspan 6’3.5”.

Net net, Solo has some pretty amazing measurables so if his skillset comes together world is his oyster. He also has beautiful touch on his jumper and looks like he’s chiseled out of granite. All this stuff will be important to scouts.