Who replaces Nika?

[PacoSwede]

I'm NOT referring to a point guard. We have at least 3 players who will be that with NC-level competence (paige, kaitlyn, kk) plus others who could fill the role in a pinch (morgan in particular, eventually azzi, and even sarah).

I AM referring to a very rare combination of virtues nika provided: fire, great leadership, intensity and savvy on the court, energy and never-say-die toughness. she could be seen as uconn's 'engine' (as alyssa thomas was for the mohegan sun).

paige obviously provides leadership, and perhaps some of nika's other attributes. but can she add the glue that nika did? maybe. that's asking a lot from paige, who's providing so much and is dealing with immense pressure already.

does uconn need a nika clone? hopefully it can succeed without one, because her contributions -- not including her defense, assists and feeble-though-timely scoring -- are hard to find.

who on the '24-'25 squad will show she has what it takes? that would be a huge plus that the BY overlooks.

 

[Zarathustra]

I'm NOT referring to a point guard. We have at least 3 players who will be that with NC-level competence (paige, kaitlyn, kk) plus others who could fill the role in a pinch (morgan in particular, eventually azzi, and even sarah).

I AM referring to a very rare combination of virtues nika provided: fire, great leadership, intensity and savvy on the court, energy and never-say-die toughness. she could be seen as uconn's 'engine' (as alyssa thomas was for the mohegan sun).

paige obviously provides leadership, and perhaps some of nika's other attributes. but can she add the glue that nika did? maybe. that's asking a lot from paige, who's providing so much and is dealing with immense pressure already.

does uconn need a nika clone? hopefully it can succeed without one, because her contributions -- not including her defense, assists and feeble-though-timely scoring -- are hard to find.

who on the '24-'25 squad will show she has what it takes? that would be a huge plus that the BY overlooks.

We will have to clone tissue samples from Nika's inner cheeks, put them into a petri dish and have
Nika visit to breathe "fire" into the new SUPERWOMAN. Failing that: The role will fall to whoever finds the strength to
pull that sword out of the rock!

 

[Huskee11]

No one can replace Nika. She is unique. Incredibly special as a player and a person. She just provides so much energy and positive vibes. Mazda saw it! Now go buy one.

And teams always look different. As Geno said, you can't dip your toe in the same river twice. Players come, they go. It happens way too fast.

The 2024-2025 team will be outstanding, and may very well cut the nets down in April. It will forge its own identity and I think Paige will provide all the leadership they need. The experienced Chen as well, and Azzi in her own quiet way. I also think that the younger players like KK, Shade, Ice, Jana and Sarah are mature beyond their years and will be able to handle the intense pressure on the horizon quite well.

I am really pumped for the upcoming season but will also feel a bit sad at the jump that Nika is not part of it, that she is elsewhere, and most of all, that she is injured. I am hoping that her rehab brings her to Storrs. That would make perfect sense, would it not?

 

[JoePgh]

The only way that the invitation for Kaitlyn to come to Storrs makes sense (at least to me) is if she assumes part of the leadership role that Nika had last year (recognizing that Paige will be the overall team leader). She may not have the fiery temperament that Nika had, but I don't think that is necessary. Whatever she lacks in that department, she will make up in on-court basketball skill, particularly her threat to score from anywhere and in many different ways.

 

[Bone Dog]

The primary Nika-quality that may be hard to replace is fire. Paige has some of it, as do KK and Kaitlyn. But Nika didn’t just have fire. She was fire incarnate. The player who may be closest to Nika in this regard may be Jana. I like to think of her as Big Nika.

@Huskee11 is right. Every team looks different. This one may not be quite as fire-like without Nika. They are mainly a team of silent assassins — Azzi Allie Ash Aubrey Ice Ayanna Caroline Q. They don’t roar when they score, except for Paige and Jana. Maybe Morgan too.

 

[Husky fanatic]

I believe that Jana will fill the fire and enthusiasm role.

 

[Bills Fan]

Interesting that the newcomer that has the most Nika leadership qualities has only been mentioned in one of the above posts. I don't think she will serve that role this year as a FR, especially with Paige there, But I look for Morgan to take that role next year. She certainly filled that role in high school at the #1 team in the country

 

[Bills Fan]

Interesting that the newcomer that has the most Nika leadership qualities has only been mentioned in one of the above posts. I don't think she will serve that role this year as a FR, especially with Paige there, But I look for Morgan to take that role next year. She certainly filled that role in high school at the #1 team in the country

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

What makes Nikka so special is that, respectfully, she came to Uconn as an ok player, and left campus a star. That's incredibly hard to do at Uconn.

 

[Hoops66]

I can't disagree with much that was said above, but I can't stop thinking of last year's overachievement by Ash. I don't think that there was one minute when she wasn't going full out. Diving for possession, making a key rebound, or important basket, moving without the ball, setting screens, all in her first year. She's the kind of player that any coach and every fan would be overjoyed to have. Go get 'em Ash!

 

[MSGRET]

I can't disagree with much that was said above, but I can't stop thinking of last year's overachievement by Ash. I don't think that there was one minute when she wasn't going full out. Diving for possession, making a key rebound, or important basket, moving without the ball, setting screens, all in her first year. She's the kind of player that any coach and every fan would be overjoyed to have. Go get 'em Ash!

I stated in one of the Ash threads that she would be one of the energy bunnies on the team. When you look at all of the training videos on her and what she did in High School you just knew that she would be one of the most physically fit players on the team. What I think is amazing is when she returned for her Sophomore season she was even more toned than she was last year, she must have one heck of workout routine over the summer.

 

[DefenseBB]

Nika was clearly a fan favorite who became an outstanding distributor of the ball with a great assist to turnover ratio and developed a great 3 pt shot to the degree of a .402 percentag. Plus the shine on her hair was always glorious. That said, every year we lose someone we were clearly drawn to yet the team finds a way to survive. We don’t need to replace Nika as this team will develop their own identity as all teams do.

My fellow posters are over starting the “fire and intensity“aspect instead of the possibilities each of our returning players could bring. Those that say Jana will have Nika’s “” are speaking from ZERO KNOWLEDGE. All the conjecture is solely from inferring from prior Geno comments.

I need the season to begin to stop this fruitless and over trite dialogues from colleagues who are even more anxious than I am to see the team.

I just hope those who have “jumped the shark” on all this pre-season hyperbole will realize it and do a mea-culpa…highly doubtful but that’s my dream this season.

 

[Bone Dog]

Those that say Jana will have Nika’s “” are speaking from ZERO KNOWLEDGE. All the conjecture is solely from inferring from prior Geno comments.

You make a good point -- I mean except for the last couple sentences. We don't need to replace Nika. Geno can put the team together in various ways.

Though it is worth observing that Geno and CD have said on various occasions that they recruit for scrappiness, or some other version of the same quality. Bearing this in mind, it's easy to see why they would have wanted Nika coming out of Croatia.

As for Jana, it isn't conjecture, or at least not entirely conjecture, though there is some extrapolation involved. But it also isn't "ZERO KNOWLEDGE." The fire was easy to see in the various FIBA games before her injury. She regularly fought through double and triple teams, took the ball at the top of the key to drive a packed lane, fought for rebounds, and was also the "hype woman" for her teammates. This was also easy to see in her HS games, several of which actually are available on YouTube. The commentary is in Arabic which can make them trickier to find and hard to follow in places. But the fact is she's not an unknown quantity, and her intensity is readily apparent in lots of games for anyone who cares to look.

 

[Bigboote]

I was thinking earlier, reading threads about Nika and about Ashlynn, that Ashlynn may be the heir apparent. She’s not the lockdown defender yet, will never be the point guard, but . . . She’s tough as all getout; she NEVER gives up on a play; she never gets tired, can easily go 100% for 45-50 minutes; she always knows where to be on offense and defense. From what we’ve heard, she’s quite vocal on the court now.

And she’s strong and can switch on bigs, dammit.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think the vocal players will be, in some order, Paige, KK, Kaitlyn, and Jana.

 

[Stagnant]

Hopefully Paige. I don’t know if that is her personality though. I have always wondered if Paige would have been more of a leader and Nika less of a leader if Paige had been healthy for four years. And I think I decided that the answer was no. Paige would have deferred to Nika anyway. Paige is like a Kevin Durant (who has admitted that he isn’t a leader).

So, I think Paige will be more of a leader this season. But going from not leading at all to being the primary leader could be a stretch. She will likely fall into old habits and muscle memory will kick in. And I can easily imagine Paige deferring to the mature Chen at times.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

What impresses me most about this version of UConn WBB is that each of the 14 on the roster has a FIRE within!
Each in their own way, some will vocalize it more than others, but there appears to be a desire to show the world what was missing in the 3 injury years and what would have been possible if they just had a full, healthy roster!
Even the freshmen seem to have that quality!
The veterans have explained THEIR expectations to the 4 new girls! Jana already has IT from being forced to sit out with her injury!
Our girls are on a mission, and I pity ALL our opponents this season!

 

[sun]

Does Uconn have a designated captain of the team or is that an inherant role of the PG position?
In a previous interview about this upcoming season, Azzi said that she was going to do her talking on the court.
In that respect I think she's right that nothing speaks louder than leading by example. i.e. - playing well & making shots.
Paige has always been the one to lead the fans & to feed their enthusiasm.
When she played PG she often pointed to the place where she wanted a player to be to begin a 1/2 court set.
I wouldn't expect anyone else except Paige to be the team captain whether officially designated by Geno or not.
If Geno doesn't designate a captain or co-captains then maybe he should so that the role is clearly designated rather than to be self-appointed.
At least doing it that way he could tell the captain(s) what to do & how to instruct the others in certain situations.

 

[Skeets]

I can't disagree with much that was said above, but I can't stop thinking of last year's overachievement by Ash. I don't think that there was one minute when she wasn't going full out. Diving for possession, making a key rebound, or important basket, moving without the ball, setting screens, all in her first year. She's the kind of player that any coach and every fan would be overjoyed to have. Go get 'em Ash!

Ash is my second favorite player, but if Nika was fire then Ash is ice (frozen water, not the other Ice).

 

[Charliebball]

No single player is capable of replacing Nika's nuclear energy but there will be plenty of attitude with Paige, Ashlynn, KK and Kaitlyn Chen ........ I'm especially interested in watching Jana who plays with nasty intent and don't forget about Morgan Cheli who's also an intense competitor....

 

[jabstep]

The only way that the invitation for Kaitlyn to come to Storrs makes sense (at least to me) is if she assumes part of the leadership role that Nika had last year (recognizing that Paige will be the overall team leader). She may not have the fiery temperament that Nika had, but I don't think that is necessary. Whatever she lacks in that department, she will make up in on-court basketball skill, particularly her threat to score from anywhere and in many different ways.

When we got Lou from Fairfield in the portal I watched her games against the good competition such as Texas in the Dance. She was a scorer and I knew that would help us and especially with Paige and Azzi down we needed that scoring punch.
I feel the same way about Kaitlyn Chen. She is not Nika but in some areas she does more. Like penatrate and score or kick to open 3 point looks or to big's when their defender trys to help on her. She also plays well and rises to the challenge of good teams which is very important. I think she is also a good defender and will get better since Geno's teams have a requirerment to get on the court. Run and play defense.

 

[Blond D.]

I think both KK and Shade gleaned a lot under Nika's tutelage. Not only how to give it everything you have but how to correctly read the floor and also to pick others up and be a leader. I'm not saying they have fire yet but they are only sophomores and its in there, building.
From what I've seen of Jana in the practices and other events we've been allowed a peek into, she has a fire too.
We definitely will miss the gum-chewing, "wheres the foul" glares, and complete joy Nika exhibited thru-out each and every game but I think we have the players who will help fill that void.

 

[From France]

Noone
New team, new identity

 

[Next 12]

No one can replace Nika. She is unique. Incredibly special as a player and a person. She just provides so much energy and positive vibes. Mazda saw it! Now go buy one.

And teams always look different. As Geno said, you can't dip your toe in the same river twice. Players come, they go. It happens way too fast.

The 2024-2025 team will be outstanding, and may very well cut the nets down in April. It will forge its own identity and I think Paige will provide all the leadership they need. The experienced Chen as well, and Azzi in her own quiet way. I also think that the younger players like KK, Shade, Ice, Jana and Sarah are mature beyond their years and will be able to handle the intense pressure on the horizon quite well.

I am really pumped for the upcoming season but will also feel a bit sad at the jump that Nika is not part of it, that she is elsewhere, and most of all, that she is injured. I am hoping that her rehab brings her to Storrs. That would make perfect sense, would it not?

I agree. NIKA was a one of a kind. The best thing about her was her go for broke attitude on defense. She knew she could put a damper on anyone she was defending, which she did.Her willingness to give up a shot and pass to a teammate for a better shot is something in you,instead of being taught. It's been said many times about her lack of scoring, but I contend her 691 assists were her contribution to UCONN's scoring. NIKA will always be loved and remembered by Uconn fans that will be her legacy at Uconn. NIKA WAS needed while she played. With the team we now have , we will be fine without her. GO JANA!!!!! GO SOPHOMORES!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!

 

[Skeets]

Speaking of defense, didn't Nika do a pretty good job on that CC kid? "Get that #10 outa my face!"

 

[Stinger92860]

I believe whomever plays Nika’s minutes will provide more offense. The questions is can her D be replaced to an acceptable level.

 

[Inthepaint]

All of the players who have stood out in one way or another in UCONN WBB have moved on.
Yet the program finds and trains others to keep the spirit alive and winning.
We don’t forget the Nikas
We appreciate what they contributed and know that those who come after will take their mojo and run with it

 

[hoophuskee]

I'm NOT referring to a point guard. We have at least 3 players who will be that with NC-level competence (paige, kaitlyn, kk) plus others who could fill the role in a pinch (morgan in particular, eventually azzi, and even sarah).

I AM referring to a very rare combination of virtues nika provided: fire, great leadership, intensity and savvy on the court, energy and never-say-die toughness. she could be seen as uconn's 'engine' (as alyssa thomas was for the mohegan sun).

paige obviously provides leadership, and perhaps some of nika's other attributes. but can she add the glue that nika did? maybe. that's asking a lot from paige, who's providing so much and is dealing with immense pressure already.

does uconn need a nika clone? hopefully it can succeed without one, because her contributions -- not including her defense, assists and feeble-though-timely scoring -- are hard to find.

who on the '24-'25 squad will show she has what it takes? that would be a huge plus that the BY overlooks.

Paige Paige Paige Paige. She's an all-time great at UCONN. The one year she doesn't play UCONN's FF record goes down the tubes (granted too many other injuries.). Then she carries a team last year that had no buisness going to FF and UCONN is seconds and possibly an over-zealous refs call away from the Finals,. And looking back at Nika to start the year you still had posters on here not believing in her game so much some would state KK needed to start over her. Let's face it, Nika just got "better" as well. That's what you expect with seniors.. Expect Paige to be even better across the board. Paige has been a natural leader. She's put her team's on her back throughout other than her frosh year in FF Just expect more this year. Whether they can win it all, is another question. Tooo many "unknowns" for this team.

 

[DefenseBB]

The primary Nika-quality that may be hard to replace is fire. Paige has some of it, as do KK and Kaitlyn. But Nika didn’t just have fire. She was fire incarnate. The player who may be closest to Nika in this regard may be Jana. I like to think of her as Big Nika.

Wait, i thought you said Jana reminded you of a Stewie-Svet combo? Now you’re adding in Nika? So, can we abbreviate and call her SSN?

BTW I completely and utterly disagree with both of these assertions as nothing in Jana’s game or her build is similar to Stewie or Svet. Go to any of the FIBA games on YouTube and rewatch.

Nothing in those games demonstrates the “Nika tenacity” either so….

 

[Bone Dog]

Wait, i thought you said Jana reminded you of a Stewie-Svet combo? Now you’re adding in Nika? So, can we abbreviate and call her SSN?

BTW I completely and utterly disagree with both of these assertions as nothing in Jana’s game or her build is similar to Stewie or Svet. Go to any of the FIBA games on YouTube and rewatch.

Nothing in those games demonstrates the “Nika tenacity” either so….

You seem to be in a refute-y mood this afternoon. Lord knows why or to what purpose. In any event I never said Jana was just like Stewie, and I don't recall mentioning Svet who'd be a bit small for a comparison with Jana. If I did, so be it. What I did say is she's a mobile big with decent handles, a decent perimeter shot, good post moves, and long arms. That's a package that ought to remind even you of Stewie. Go to any of her HS games on YouTube and rewatch... or even watch them for the first time. Of course, you can still pretend I'm claiming that she and Stewie are twins if you like. And if you feel like rewatching the FIBA games, I'd encourage it. In those games, she definitely is the "hype woman" for her team, as well as the person fearlessly charging into double and tripe teams in the paint to grapple with the opposing front court.

Jana's build is not the same as Stewie's -- I don't know where that came from, but again, whatever. nor are her skills as well-developed as Stewie's were then. But Jana does have long arms and she moves well. She is also a lot more solid and muscular than freshman Stewie was. In that respect, you could say she resembles Mama Stef more. Oh, wait, in the world you're imagining for us no one can be said to resemble anyone else.