WNBA Rookies

[triaddukefan]

That leaves Chicago with the same problem they have now - no legitimate center. They have Breland for the PF spot next to Delle Donne at SF. But they've been starting games with Breland at C because of a lack of other options. That didn't work for long against NY because Breland (6'3 and thin) was way too small to check Charles. Sasha Goodlett did the best on Charles and you know you have a problem when Goodlett is your best answer.

Chicago needs more quality size in the post. Cheyenne Parker has center size and perhaps will mature into a solid center one day, but her years of getting high at High Point and MTSU have left her behind the curve in terms of development. She is green as grass. Kiah may only be 6'3 but she's stout and plays bigger due to her shot-blocking instincts. And she knows what to do and what not to do on both ends.

Hmmmmm....... how does Imani McGee-Stafford sound as a possible Sky pick next season ?

 

[triaddukefan]

I have a feeling that Loyd is gonna win the Rookie of the Year award in the end.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I have a feeling that Loyd is gonna win the Rookie of the Year award in the end.

I wouldn't be surprised. She's been much better the last 2-3 games.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Rookie Performances (June 2015)

Player, Team          W-L   Pts   FG%   Reb  Ast  Stl  Blk
--------------------  ---  ----  ----  ----  ---  ---  ---
Achonwa, Ind.         4-6  10.2  .526   4.6  0.5  0.3  0.6
Gray, Con.            7-2   9.2  .517   1.4  1.9  1.2  0.0
Hamby, S.A.           2-7   9.0  .429   6.1  1.2  0.2  0.3
Boyd, N.Y.            6-4   8.2  .388   3.5  2.7  1.1  0.2
Loyd, Sea.            3-7   8.1  .341   3.4  1.5  0.6  0.0
Tokashiki, Sea.       3-7   7.5  .463   2.5  0.8  0.2  1.3
Francis, Pho.         4-5   7.2  .491   5.0  0.9  0.7  1.1
Hoover, L.A. (6g)     0-7   5.8  .387   1.5  0.7  0.3  0.2
Stokes, N.Y.          6-4   5.8  .595   6.3  0.9  0.3  2.0
Tolo, L.A.            0-7   5.1  .500   3.9  0.7  0.1  0.4
Zahui B., Tul.        8-2   4.8  .422   3.2  0.4  0.0  0.8

I like that .595 shooting percentage!!

 

[HuskyFan1125]

I have a feeling that Loyd is gonna win the Rookie of the Year award in the end.

Doesn't the first pick usually win ROY?

 

[triaddukefan]

Doesn't the first pick usually win ROY?

I honestly havent followed the WNBA as closely since the Sting disbanded

 

[Orangutan]

I have a feeling that Loyd is gonna win the Rookie of the Year award in the end.

She has a great chance and so does her "Mom," Achonwa.

 

[triaddukefan]

She has a great chance and so does her "Mom," Achonwa.

I think Ach will lose some momentum after she leaves to play for Team Canada. Do you know how many WNBA games she will miss? On a semi-related note... Im disappointed to see that she wont be on the sidelines for the Irish this coming year. Seeing her and Ivey were worth the price of admission to the ACC tournament

 

[Orangutan]

I think Ach will lose some momentum after she leaves to play for Team Canada. Do you know how many WNBA games she will miss? On a semi-related note... Im disappointed to see that she wont be on the sidelines for the Irish this coming year. Seeing her and Ivey were worth the price of admission to the ACC tournament

Well, they just promoted Ivey, so hopefully she'll be around for a while longer.

 

[UConnCat]

I think Ach will lose some momentum after she leaves to play for Team Canada. Do you know how many WNBA games she will miss? On a semi-related note... Im disappointed to see that she wont be on the sidelines for the Irish this coming year. Seeing her and Ivey were worth the price of admission to the ACC tournament

She'll miss two sets of WNBA games; first for the Pan Am games in July and then the Fibas Americas Olympic qualifying tournament in August. I'm guessing she'll miss approx 10 games.

 

[triaddukefan]

She'll miss two sets of WNBA games; first for the Pan Am games in July and then the Fibas Americas Olympic qualifying tournament in August. I'm guessing she'll miss approx 10 games.

That should eliminate her run at the ROY awards. My (virtual) money is on Loyd.

 

[Kaizen]

My vote go to Kiah Stoke.....cheer

 

[Gus Mahler]

Rookie Performances (June 2015)

Player, Team          W-L   Pts   FG%   Reb  Ast  Stl  Blk
--------------------  ---  ----  ----  ----  ---  ---  ---
Achonwa, Ind.         4-6  10.2  .526   4.6  0.5  0.3  0.6
Gray, Con.            7-2   9.2  .517   1.4  1.9  1.2  0.0
Hamby, S.A.           2-7   9.0  .429   6.1  1.2  0.2  0.3
Boyd, N.Y.            6-4   8.2  .388   3.5  2.7  1.1  0.2
Loyd, Sea.            3-7   8.1  .341   3.4  1.5  0.6  0.0
Tokashiki, Sea.       3-7   7.5  .463   2.5  0.8  0.2  1.3
Francis, Pho.         4-5   7.2  .491   5.0  0.9  0.7  1.1
Hoover, L.A. (6g)     0-7   5.8  .387   1.5  0.7  0.3  0.2
Stokes, N.Y.          6-4   5.8  .595   6.3  0.9  0.3  2.0
Tolo, L.A.            0-7   5.1  .500   3.9  0.7  0.1  0.4
Zahui B., Tul.        8-2   4.8  .422   3.2  0.4  0.0  0.8

Looks like Stokes is leading the rookies in rebounds and blocks. Cool.

 

[cbraarj]

Not to be negative, because I really like Stokes and think her skill set will be valuable to WNBA teams for years to come, but do want to note that while she is getting more minutes than she did at Uconn, the offensive is not exactly pouring out of her - her coach loves her game, but those predicting a change from a defense first mindset are not seeing it. Early days, but she is taking about 4 shots a game and hitting 50% - not dissimilar to her Uconn production. Maybe it wasn't Geno's fault.

If anybody can get Stokes more offensive minded it could be Laimbeer and overseas they want the Americans to score!Maybe next year in her second season she averages a double/double!Stokes Rookie of the Year would be awesome!

 

[triaddukefan]

Looks like Stokes is leading the rookies in rebounds and blocks. Cool.

Hamby and stokes are tied.... Hamby is also the leading scoring rookie.

 

[Striper69]

First half observation from Sky v. Liberty: Kiah Stokes is really impressive. She spent a lot of time matched with EDD and did very well.

One play, EDD started at the arc, drove left, pulled up from 15 ft, and Kiah blocked her, which I didn't really think was possible.

Granted, she really should almost never shoot anything besides layups, but she is exactly the kind of interior defender the Sky need. I like Cheyenne Parker's potential but Stokes undeniably would have helped Chicago more in the short term.

When Cheyenne went toe to toe with Kiah it was what I think will be the classic outcome against everyone in the league.

Kiah ate her up.

Kiah makes other players look like...

when I was in Hawaii I went to the beach next to Diamondhead. There were these 15 foot waves coming in and everyone was letting them throw them around as the waves crashed into you (I wouldn't recommend doing that cause I got a cut foot and it ruined my visit).

The way players look as they're about to be blocked by Kiah looks the way people look when one of those big waves is going to hit them. They kind of try to duck out of the way to no avail.

 

[Striper69]

Rookie Performances (June 2015)

Player, Team          W-L   Pts   FG%   Reb  Ast  Stl  Blk
--------------------  ---  ----  ----  ----  ---  ---  ---
Achonwa, Ind.         4-6  10.2  .526   4.6  0.5  0.3  0.6
Gray, Con.            7-2   9.2  .517   1.4  1.9  1.2  0.0
Hamby, S.A.           2-7   9.0  .429   6.1  1.2  0.2  0.3
Boyd, N.Y.            6-4   8.2  .388   3.5  2.7  1.1  0.2
Loyd, Sea.            3-7   8.1  .341   3.4  1.5  0.6  0.0
Tokashiki, Sea.       3-7   7.5  .463   2.5  0.8  0.2  1.3
Francis, Pho.         4-5   7.2  .491   5.0  0.9  0.7  1.1
Hoover, L.A. (6g)     0-7   5.8  .387   1.5  0.7  0.3  0.2
Stokes, N.Y.          6-4   5.8  .595   6.3  0.9  0.3  2.0
Tolo, L.A.            0-7   5.1  .500   3.9  0.7  0.1  0.4
Zahui B., Tul.        8-2   4.8  .422   3.2  0.4  0.0  0.8

Kiah can't be measured or judged by mere stats.

Her impact is intangible. She has impacted her team far more than any other rookie. She did it from the minute she walked on the court.

 

[Aluminny69]

Natalie Achonwa Impresses In Pro Debut, Named Rookie Of The Month Presented By Samsung

 

[Orangutan]

When Cheyenne went toe to toe with Kiah it was what I think will be the classic outcome against everyone in the league.

Kiah ate her up.

Kiah makes other players look like...

when I was in Hawaii I went to the beach next to Diamondhead. There were these 15 foot waves coming in and everyone was letting them throw them around as the waves crashed into you (I wouldn't recommend doing that cause I got a cut foot and it ruined my visit).

The way players look as they're about to be blocked by Kiah looks the way people look when one of those big waves is going to hit them. They kind of try to duck out of the way to no avail.

In Parker's defense, if she's ever had good coaching, it was for half a year at Middle Tennessee. Kiah had 4 years with Geno. If Chicago's Parker pick does pay off for them, it likely won't be until about 2017 when it does.

 

[Striper69]

I can't wait to see Kiah go up against Griner. I may take a trip to MSG if I can afford it.

 

[Striper69]

In Parker's defense, if she's ever had good coaching, it was for half a year at Middle Tennessee. Kiah had 4 years with Geno. If Chicago's Parker pick does pay off for them, it likely won't be until about 2017 when it does.

I think Kiah just has that "shot blocking " thing naturally. Kiah does that to everybody.

 

[DaddyChoc]

I think Ach will lose some momentum after she leaves to play for Team Canada. Seeing her and Ivey were worth the price of admission to the ACC tournament

you aint never lied

 

[Orangutan]

I think Kiah just has that "shot blocking " thing naturally. Kiah does that to everybody.

That's certainly true - she has almost freaky timing.

 

[Striper69]

I'm going to see her play the Mystic tomorrow.

Jen Hamson is the same kind of defender as Kiah but Agler apparently doesn't want to give rookies many minutes.