UcMiami
How it is
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Messages
- 14,197
- Reaction Score
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RMTb2 - I'll disagree with you on the 'had the development of their full potential limited' statement. On offense, the Uconn system thrives on the development of forward/center players' mid-range game and those that have the shooting touch are encouraged to take it out to the arc. I can't think of any player capable of doing more than hang at the basket that wasn't pushed to develop those aspects. At the same time they were also learning to be effective around the basket against taller and stronger players - a player like Tuck is not atypical, and is a very likely AA - she came in talented, but has also continued to developed nuances to her wide ranging skills. And training in the use of and setting of screens is as good as it gets.
At the defensive end - I can't think of someone who was stunted by learning leverage and footwork playing against bigger players, and the nature of the defenses Uconn employees insures that guarding in space off switches is a skill that everyone learns.
I'm not sure what players you are specifically think of as almost all of the players with enough talent have gone on to strong professional careers. Barb Turner is probably the smallest forward I can think of that played her Uconn career close to the basket - though she certainly developed her range to the arc on offense through her four years, as well as being very effective amongst the trees. Her professional career was always going to be overseas as she really did not have the speed to be a WNBA wing player or the height to ever be truly effective as a forward (she is I believe still playing in Europe.)
Kaili McLaren - still playing in Europe, though never made it to a WNBA team.
Tamika Williams Raymond - strong pro career until she chose 'family'
Cash?! - Olympian
Jones?! Olympian
Crockett - a bit of a head case in college and pretty limited - one short stint with Phoenix in the WNBA and now a assistant coach surprising everyone including herself!
??? who else?
At the defensive end - I can't think of someone who was stunted by learning leverage and footwork playing against bigger players, and the nature of the defenses Uconn employees insures that guarding in space off switches is a skill that everyone learns.
I'm not sure what players you are specifically think of as almost all of the players with enough talent have gone on to strong professional careers. Barb Turner is probably the smallest forward I can think of that played her Uconn career close to the basket - though she certainly developed her range to the arc on offense through her four years, as well as being very effective amongst the trees. Her professional career was always going to be overseas as she really did not have the speed to be a WNBA wing player or the height to ever be truly effective as a forward (she is I believe still playing in Europe.)
Kaili McLaren - still playing in Europe, though never made it to a WNBA team.
Tamika Williams Raymond - strong pro career until she chose 'family'
Cash?! - Olympian
Jones?! Olympian
Crockett - a bit of a head case in college and pretty limited - one short stint with Phoenix in the WNBA and now a assistant coach surprising everyone including herself!
??? who else?