He may do his best but it's all up to the kid and her family.
It's amazing that every comment in every thread about Hailey Van Lith is so positive. She's clearly a U Conn player in the Sue Bird, MJ, CD mold.
Even if UConn gets Jones, Amihere, Boston and Bueckers?
Achonwa ad Westbeld both had a physicality that I don't think Brunelle has. Plus, I think Brunelle is better from three than those two. I think Sam has to commit to playing tough interior D and a willingness to hit the boards on both ends. In these games so far, she seems to float on the perimeter and launch threes whenever possible. Like most kids her size, guarding the dribbler on the perimeter is tough for her.I agree with you that Sam is certainly not a 3 and I'm not even sure she's a stretch 4 in the way that say, Erin Boley, was/is. I've said this on this site and another but I think she's a 4 who is tailor-made for the high post role in ND's offense, which has been manned by the likes of Natalie Achonwa and, most recently, Katherine Westbeld. That role requires a fundamentally sound, basketball-smart player who knows where she is in the offense and on the floor. That person can then make decisions: keep the offense moving, dump it down low to the low post, drive or shoot the jumper from the foul line or elbow. I've seen Sam setting up outside the line and think she'd benefit from moving that shot more than a few feet towards the basket. As pointed out, this role is not the big point-producing one in ND's offense, but a very valuable one. Think its' a good match for both player and position.
Also agree with your observation on Paige Bueckers. To some degree, that's one of her strengths...she can create her own shot (love her dribble to the pull-up jumper) or pass off. She also runs the break wonderfully.
If she works with a guard who is sympatico with her team-first-with-fundamental flair approach, it's a whole lot of fun. And efficient. While I've seen her work recently with Fudd and Hailey Van Lith, I loved the occasions when she was working with Clark. Fire and ice. And you can guess where I think they'd work best.
I agree with you that Sam is certainly not a 3 and I'm not even sure she's a stretch 4 in the way that say, Erin Boley, was/is. I've said this on this site and another but I think she's a 4 who is tailor-made for the high post role in ND's offense, which has been manned by the likes of Natalie Achonwa and, most recently, Katherine Westbeld. That role requires a fundamentally sound, basketball-smart player who knows where she is in the offense and on the floor. That person can then make decisions: keep the offense moving, dump it down low to the low post, drive or shoot the jumper from the foul line or elbow. I've seen Sam setting up outside the line and think she'd benefit from moving that shot more than a few feet towards the basket. As pointed out, this role is not the big point-producing one in ND's offense, but a very valuable one. Think its' a good match for both player and position.
Also agree with your observation on Paige Bueckers. To some degree, that's one of her strengths...she can create her own shot (love her dribble to the pull-up jumper) or pass off. She also runs the break wonderfully.
If she works with a guard who is sympatico with her team-first-with-fundamental flair approach, it's a whole lot of fun. And efficient. While I've seen her work recently with Fudd and Hailey Van Lith, I loved the occasions when she was working with Clark. Fire and ice. And you can guess where I think they'd work best.
Yep. Even if.
I'm with you on that. I heard about many of the other highly ranked guards earlier this year and only within the past two or three months did I hear about Horston. Maybe she is a late bloomer. She is a must get, imo.
Yes, but I have been hearing about Jones for quite some time. Not so with Horston. I am hoping UConn will be shedding no tears.
What I like about Horston, and an ability she has over Jones, is a Draymond Green quality. Anything to win. Take the opening tip, make the slick pass, the easy pass, or the right pass (Yes, she's a better passer than Jones, and she passes off the break as well as any guard on the team), set the pick, roll well off the pick, play tough defense, bust through screens, jump the lanes, cover the perimeter, be a defensive disruptor, always in position on offense and defense, and more. With her, it's the same game every time out. The type of player that's a constant thorn in the other teams side. All without a change in demeanor. Jones would be the focal point on any offense, but to win championships you need a Swiss Army Knife like Horston. She is a prime example of the modern positionless player. For me, she is as much fun to watch as any freshman coming in this year.
I love Jones, wouldn't pick Horston over her, and with her bulk she can cover 4's and 5's. She has better footwork inside, a more consistent shot and is a beast inside. She's unafraid to body up her foe and push her off her mark. She's also covered in floor burns every game. But to my eyes Horston covers the perimeter far better than Jones, and Horston has the ability to cover 1's and 2's better. Horston is also more deceptive off the dribble going left or right, and passes in traffic or off the dribble better. That's what I see. Also if Horston continues to develop her outside shot I could see her at the 2 as a pro.
Well said. One is good. Both is better-er.