Whaley: “Coach doesn’t want me to be ‘The Wrench’ anymore...

[huskymedic]

... He said a wrench is a one-dimensional tool. He’s trying to find a tool that does multiple things so he’s trying to find a new nickname for me.”




Alternate access reading link here <-

-> “It was either UConn or pro,” Whaley said. “I couldn’t ever see myself playing for another team. Especially with everything I’ve put into UConn, all the strides I’ve taken to help UConn get back to where it is. I couldn’t really see myself leaving behind everything that I helped build to go to another school where nobody knew about me.” <-

 

[8893]

Leatherman?

 

[rollskies]

Lots of good stuff in this article.

Thought it was interesting that he notes possible transfer additions as Rocket Watts and Bryce Hamilton. I honestly forgot about BH, haven’t heard anything about him since the day he entered the portal.

I also love Whaley talking about players taking strides and improving offense for next season. A lot to look forward to.

 

[formerlurker]

Leatherman?

Something tells me that nickname is probably taken by a member of another balling community.

 

[BGesus4]

Could not possibly be a bigger fan of this young man

 

[aburks41]

Swiss army knife

 

[CL82]

SAK - Swiss Army Knife

 

[BGesus4]

Shake and Bake

 

[WrenchFan69]

Could not possibly be a bigger fan of this young man

My second favorite UConn player ever. What a great kid

 

[navery12]

If Dan Hurley is able to successfully get rid of the nickname Wrench it'll be his greatest achievement as head coach of UConn

 

[Son of Robert]

Isaiah doesn't make many mistakes on the court. He is glue on both offense and defense, being in the right places, making plays. Such a solid player, a fifth year veteran, he makes us so much better next year.

Very happy that he came back, and for all the right reasons.

 

[LIuconn]

He deserves to play in front of packed Gampel crowds

 

[HooperScooper]

Shake and Bake

 

[Tenspro2002]

He's super easy to root for, and the dimension he should be adding is obvious: becoming a credible threat from the 3 point line.

If he does that, he can play the 4 in a productive offensive lineup.

Even Hurley acknowledged that playing two traditional bigs was bogging down our offense last year.

Put a 35% 3-point shooter in Whaley at the 4, and he can play alongside Sanogo while being able to defend 3-5 and not giving up anything on the glass.

 

[BGesus4]

Exactly

 

[Hoops01]

Isaiah doesn't make many mistakes on the court. He is glue on both offense and defense, being in the right places, making plays. Such a solid player, a fifth year veteran, he makes us so much better next year.

Very happy that he came back, and for all the right reasons.

Hopefully he LEARNS to not go for every ball fake the man he is covering gives him. Only part of his game that makes me crazy and will get him in foul trouble.
He is more then athletic enough to wait until his man commits to the shot and then still block it.
Luv his game, energy, competitiveness and you can't help but root for this kid and be THRILLED he is on your team.

 

[storrsroars]

Leatherman?

Veg-o-matic!

 

[CL82]

From Pork Chop to… Slap Chop!



“You’re going to love my nuts”

 

[HuskyFich]

Hopefully he LEARNS to not go for every ball fake the man he is covering gives him. Only part of his game that makes me crazy and will get him in foul trouble.
He is more then athletic enough to wait until his man commits to the shot and then still block it.
Luv his game, energy, competitiveness and you can't help but root for this kid and be THRILLED he is on your team.

Not trying to call you out, But Whaley is outstanding at this. Yeah, he gets burned every now and again too, but his patience on shot blocks is something you can’t teach easily.

 

[husky429]

Whaley back changes our team. Allows us to go big when it's prudent, and allows for us to work Akok/Johnson into the lineup at their own pace. Returning the DPOY and 6MOY is no joke. Hurley's recruitment and retaining of our own team is our greatest success this off-season. Feels like every team in America has lost at least a couple meaningful pieces, and we brought back EVERY piece we needed to.

Bryce Hamilton would be a great piece to add I like what he beings more than Rocket, personally. Definitely a scorer, and hopefully either of them could increase their shooting % in a new environment. I like Hamilton's size and strength. Looks like a decent athlete from this limited highlight. A little too much iso-ball and not the greatest handle, but I think if we give him a role as a guy who attacks closeouts, hits open 3s, helps break the press, etc. he could really thrive here. It will definitely be important to hold ANY new pieces accountable in our offense though. No more 1v1 iso stuff that Bouk loved so much. Also for those that haven't seen... Bryce Hamilton's stats and highlights:

Bryce Hamilton College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Bryce Hamilton - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more

www.sports-reference.com

 

[Samoo]

Certainly looks like he can get his own shot and has a nice mid-range game. Very little catch and shoot and not a lot of pasing to the open man.

 

[PChoops]

Damn I wish this kid played for PC

 

[husky429]

Bryce Hamilton's stats versus top 100 kenpom competition aren't exactly promising. But I haven't seen anything but the highlight, so that really could be systematic, or because he was the best player on his team, or whatever. If the staff brings him in, I trust they'll reign him in just like they did with Cole.

Bryce Hamilton:

#34 UNC: 15/4/2, 3 TO, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 7/19 FG, 1/6 3FG, (6/13 2FG), 0/2 FT
#9 Alabama: 17/7/4, 2 TO, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 7/21 FG, 1/5 3FG, (6/16 2FG) 0/1 FT
#70 Davidson: 27/4/4, 2 TO, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 9/17 FG, 3/7 3FG, (6/10 2FG), 6/8 FT
#76 Colorado St: 23/6/0, 0 TO, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 10/26 FG, 2/10 3FG, (8/16 2FG), ½ FT
#76 Colorado St. 28/3/3, 1 TO, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 10/22 FG, 3/8 3FG, (7/14 2FG), 5/6 FT
#46 Utah State 14/5/8, 7 TO, 5 STL, 0 BLK, 4/16 FG, 4/8 3FG, (0/8 2FG), 2/2 FT
#46 Utah State 2/7/0, 2 TO, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 1/12 FG, 0/5 3FG, (1/7 2FG), 0/0 FT
#61 Boise State 26/2/2, 3 TO, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 10/21 FG, 4/8 3FG, (6/13 2FG), 2/4 FT
#61 Boise State 13/7/4, 2 TO, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 6/18 FG, 1/6 3FG, (5/12 2FG), 0/0 FT
#30 San Diego St. 9/6/2, 1 TO, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 3/14 FG, 0/1 3FG, (2/13 2FG), ⅗ FT
#46 Utah State 16/5/3, 4 TO, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 7/19 FG, 2/6 3FG, (5/13 2FG), 0/0 FT

17.2 PTS
4.9 REB
3.1 AST

2.4 TO
1.9 STL
0.0 BLK

31% FG (18.5 attempts per)
30% 3FG (6.4 attempts per)
39% 2FG (12.2 attempts per)

 

[8893]

Damn I wish this kid played for PC

Then he would be known as “The Tool.”

 

[Son of Robert]

Whaley back changes our team. Allows us to go big when it's prudent, and allows for us to work Akok/Johnson into the lineup at their own pace. Returning the DPOY and 6MOY is no joke. Hurley's recruitment and retaining of our own team is our greatest success this off-season. Feels like every team in America has lost at least a couple meaningful pieces, and we brought back EVERY piece we needed to.

Bryce Hamilton would be a great piece to add I like what he beings more than Rocket, personally. Definitely a scorer, and hopefully either of them could increase their shooting % in a new environment. I like Hamilton's size and strength. Looks like a decent athlete from this limited highlight. A little too much iso-ball and not the greatest handle, but I think if we give him a role as a guy who attacks closeouts, hits open 3s, helps break the press, etc. he could really thrive here. It will definitely be important to hold ANY new pieces accountable in our offense though. No more 1v1 iso stuff that Bouk loved so much. Also for those that haven't seen... Bryce Hamilton's stats and highlights:

Bryce Hamilton College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Bryce Hamilton - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more

www.sports-reference.com

For sure, good looking player, can get his own shot when he needs to.