UCONN possibly landing Batouly Camara?

[EricLA]

If true, very nice! Article in the Courant....

Not sure if the link will work since people sometimes have trouble getting to articles in the Courant...

Forward Batouly Camara, who is transferring from Kentucky, has visited UConn and sources indicate she could be joining the Huskies soon. Camara, 6 feet 2, averaged 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds as a freshman, starting the final 13 games for the Wildcats.

UConn Women Could Be Adding Kentucky's Batouly Camara, Sources Say

 

[JordyG]

I absolutely believe every transfer and recruit story/rumor.

 

[Kaizen]

Camara, a native of New York City, was recruited by UConn out of Blair Academy in New Jersey, where she was one of the top forwards in her class. He averaged 12.5 points and 12 rebounds as a senior in high school.


The highlight of her freshman season at Kentucky was a 14-point, nine-rebound performance in a 78-68 loss to No. 2 South Carolina in February.

 

[EricLA]

I absolutely believe every transfer and recruit story/rumor.

Well the article is by Paul Doyle from the Courant. Don't know who the sources are, but it's not like a tweet from some random fan. I doubt very much the Courant would allow something like that to go into an article unless the sources were solid...

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Old article worth re-posting:


"I really expect her to be a WNBA player when she graduates," recruiting analyst Bret McCormick said of Camara, a 6-foot-2 power forward out of Blair Academy in New Jersey. "She's great around the basket. Her ceiling is through the roof."


Camara, rated the second best power forward in the country by McCormick's All-Star Girls Report, was one of 28 players invited to the USA Basketball U18 National Team Trials.

.....


McCormick, who announced the commitment on Twitter, said Camara's finalists probably were UK and the Huskies.


"She's a different type player that Kentucky didn't have, and that's why Connecticut wanted her, too," he said of Camara, who averaged 11 points and 12 rebounds last season. "She's 6-2, but she's a big, strong, athletic kid."

....

"She's a sponge; she wants to work," he said. "Whatever you tell her to do, she wants to do. She wants to get better every day. ... She's got a high motor. She works hard."


Kentucky women beat out UConn for top-25 recruit

 

[meyers7]

Hmmm interesting. Be odd to get so many transfers in recently. But it's becoming a new world.

 

[EricLA]

Hmmm interesting. Be odd to get so many transfers in recently. But it's becoming a new world.

Stevens for sure, and technically you are right - UCONN has never really gone after transfers... But - Camara likely chose between UCONN and Kentucky the first time around. IIRC Geno went after her pretty hard. Some great quotes from the article linked by Slu above. The kid sounds like a hard worker with a lot of upside. I think she could be great at UCONN. Maybe what Samarie Walker could/should have been...

Everyone always likes to compare players. She looks to be as strong as Wilnett Crockett, but with better ball handling skills (note the dribble between the legs) and a better outside shot. Maybe a morph of Wilnett and Barb Turner? The video below is just a practice and the kids aren't really going hard, but you can get a feel for how strong she is and her shooting/ball handling...

 

[HuskyNan]

Batouly is a former high school teammate of UConn commit Andra Espinoza-Hunter.

 

[bags27]

Well, whether or not she ends up at UConn, it's clear Geno is changing tactics to fit the current model. It will in the long run mean more work for him, since he needs to get transfers into his system with fewer years of "pay off," but that is a new challenge that may keep him enthused for longer.

 

[TitleTown]

Well, whether or not she ends up at UConn, it's clear Geno is changing tactics to fit the current model. It will in the long run mean more work for him, since he needs to get transfers into his system with fewer years of "pay off," but that is a new challenge that may keep him enthused for longer.

The "sit out" year that transfers are forced to take helps the transition and thus allows them to "pay off" as soon as they are elgible.

 

[Dove]

Geno must like what he saw Kevin Ollie doing with the transfers (Ferrari, Gibbs, Miller).

 

[HuskyNan]

Geno must like what he saw Kevin Ollie doing with the transfers (Ferrari, Gibbs, Miller).

Evans or Kromah? Don't remember a Ferrari.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I watched a bunch of KY games the 2nd 1/2 of the season and she really impressed me with her strength, toughness, rebounding skill and a nice offensive game for a freshman! With the UCONN coaching staff having a year to get her skills and mental outlook she'll be a load to handle in 2017-2018 with Azura Stevens, Natalie, Gabby, Collier, Irwin, the ceiling really is limitless for our Huskies! Geno never rests! Being that her choices out of HS were UCONN and KY she just took the path that was closest in her mind! WOW!

 

[huskeynut]

WOW - another surprise for sure!

Considering Geno recruited her hard and UCONN seemed to be one of her top 2, her desire to transfer to UCONN is a very good thing.

Geno has always been ahead of the curve in basketball. Seems like he's at it again.

 

[kibblesnbits]

While Purvis was sitting out, Coach Ollie stated that it was like having a Ferrari in the garage that he couldn't wait to take for a ride.

 

[bags27]

The "sit out" year that transfers are forced to take helps the transition and thus allows them to "pay off" as soon as they are elgible.

Perhaps, but 1. it's one or two fewer years of actual play; 2. it remains to be seen whether the sit-out year really results in the same kind of getting up to speed and game-fitness (mental as well as physical) as would being a playing member of the team.

 

[triaddukefan]

While Purvis was sitting out, Coach Ollie stated that it was like having a Ferrari in the garage that he couldn't wait to take for a ride.

More like a Chevy Equinox

 

[mauconnfan]

Perhaps, but 1. it's one or two fewer years of actual play; 2. it remains to be seen whether the sit-out year really results in the same kind of getting up to speed and game-fitness (mental as well as physical) as would being a playing member of the team.

She will be in better game fitness than any other opponent will be right? I mean she will practice for a year against the best players in college day in day out so why wouldn't she be? With all of her extra time if utilized correctly she will be in the best shape of here life.

 

[UConnCat]

A couple of good points by Jim Fuller:

Camara has a couple of advantages when it comes to potentially landing at UConn. First, she was involved with the UConn coaching staff during the recruiting process so there is already a sense of what kind of player and person she is. Also, former UConn star Tamika Williams was one of the Kentucky assistants last season (although she also left the program) so the Huskies can get an honest assessment of Camara from somebody who knows what it takes to play for the 11-time national champions.

The New Haven Register Blogs: Elm City to Eagleville: Report: Former Kentucky forward may land at UConn

Camara is also an outstanding student.

 

[SportsPageMike]

Geno can use of couple of 5th year senior post players right now.

 

[EricLA]

Geno can use of couple of 5th year senior post players right now.

True but imaging the lineup in November of 2017...

Potentially starting Dangerfield, Nurse, Williams, Sameulson and Stevens/Butler with Collier, Camara, Bent, Irwin, Espinosa, Ekmark and Gordon off the bench... That's just a sick lineup. Another year of an embarrassment of riches, should Geno decide to go 9 or 10 deep...

 

[JordyG]

Well the article is by Paul Doyle from the Courant. Don't know who the sources are, but it's not like a tweet from some random fan. I doubt very much the Courant would allow something like that to go into an article unless the sources were solid...

There is only one thing I believe: When they show up at practice. Before that it's all hearsay.

 

[donalddoowop]

Is UCONN going this route because they know they will not get Walker? Why would she commit after this if Camara does sign with UCONN?

 

[UConnCat]

Is UCONN going this route because they know they will not get Walker? Why would she commit after this if Camara does sign with UCONN?

No. They don't play the same position.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Is UCONN going this route because they know they will not get Walker? Why would she commit after this if Camara does sign with UCONN?

Different skill set, different talent level...plays different position.