Wooden All Americans

[oldude]

Kim Mulkey was asked about Reese’s absence from the Wooden list and kind of danced around it, mentioning “non-basketball criteria.” She did say that Reese had no academic issues at LSU. I hope that’s true. But it does raise the question once again of Reese’s surprising departure from MD after last season, at which time she stated that she, “needed a fresh start.”

 

[The deacon]

Haley Jones is 3-31 from three (9.7%) and 171-373 from two (45.8%). Overall 43.1%

Lou is 67-155 from three (43.2%) and 114-237 from two (48.1%). Overall 46.2%. All were higher against the toughest opponents on the schedule

Agreed, Nan. Those were the numbers I listed.

I made the comparison to Lou (and Van Lith) not to diss Lou but to point out that Haley's overall shooting is not as bad as other BYers make it out to be. Combine that with stunning statements posted above such as Haley possessing 'limited athleticism,' well, they just don't do justice to the Stanford player.

 

[funkraider]

How is her game better suited for the WNBA? She's a guard who is horrendous offensively outside of 8 feet, with limited athleticism. She is big and has a diverse skill set, but if she can't shoot and she can't defend WNBA SG's and wings, what is she going to do in the pros?

She has no pull up jumper or 3 stroke. And she is not that athletically gifted. She is fundamentally sound and has a high basketball IQ, but that screams journey(wo)man.

 

[huskyd]

Must be an effort to put "student" back in "student athlete." Frankly, my dear, I think bb awards should reward the best bb players. If grades are important (an idea to which I have no objection), then don't let players get on the court until they bring their grades up. Didn't that used to be the case in days of yore? OR we could stop calling the award All-American bb players and call it All-American Ladies Who Happen to Play BB But Aren't Very Good Students. Then, of course, there are entrance exams to determine who is likely to succeed academically in college . . . OR, like LeBron, you could just skip college . . . Yes, you're more than an angel, Angel, you're an All-American, sez me.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Agreed, Nan. Those were the numbers I listed.

I made the comparison to Lou (and Van Lith) not to diss Lou but to point out that Haley's overall shooting is not as bad as other BYers make it out to be. Combine that with stunning statements posted above such as Haley possessing 'limited athleticism,' well, they just don't do justice to the Stanford player.

9% from three for a guard is atrocious. Her shooting outside of 10 feet is non-existent at this point in the season. The second she steps beyond beyond that range it is an automatic miss. She is great a layups and finishing around the rim, typically against smaller players which she won't have the luxury of in the WNBA most nights, but those stats don't back up that her shooting isn't terrible.

 

[The deacon]

9% from three for a guard is atrocious. Her shooting outside of 10 feet is non-existent at this point in the season. The second she steps beyond beyond that range it is an automatic miss. She is great a layups and finishing around the rim, typically against smaller players which she won't have the luxury of in the WNBA most nights, but those stats don't back up that her shooting isn't terrible.

Ouch!

 

[nwhoopfan]

Some of y'all have been watching a different Haley Jones than I have. I'd say her 15-18 foot jumper is pretty good. Go ahead and leave her unguarded on those and see how well that works out.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I like Haley Jones, but see some clear limitations in her game. 9.7% from the arc is woeful. In prior seasons, she shot between 24% and 33% from distance. Those numbers aren't great, but they are far better than 9.7%. Her FT shooting is a respectable 74% and was 82% last year. I think she needs to be guarded in the lane and out to 15-16 feet. But from farther and different angles, she's not a strong threat to score.

In this context, let's take a look at Saniya Rivers. She was the uber-athletic highly ranked recruit at S.C. last season. Her defense and passing were pretty good, but her shooting line was an abysmal 25/3/50. Ouch! This year, at N.C. State, she was a much improved 44/22/62. I expect that HaJo can and will improve her shooting in the W. She won't be Azzi Fudd or Allie Quigley, but I think she'll be decent.