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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2023 12:27:24 GMT -5
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Post by bulkey on Jan 2, 2023 13:03:17 GMT -5
This is actually really interesting, although I suspect that, if the numbers do support it, it's more because of the vastly expanded recruiting competition of top domestic players by other schools.
Google translate of Ines's coach:
UConn's lightning recruitment took everyone by surprise, even Rachel Galligan herself. ”UConn is increasingly looking for international players. The European style of play is very appealing to coach Geno. There are things you don't find here in the US, like the skill level and the decision-making ability related to the 24-second clock.
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Post by linkster on Jan 2, 2023 15:32:52 GMT -5
In the opinion of Rachel Galligan, a former player and coach and now an Analyst for the WNBA and NCAA, what happened to Inês Bettencourt "is an unbelievable story."
"UConn has been the pinnacle of women's basketball at the college level. Eleven national championships, 22 final fours appearances... It's not just a women's basketball team. Whether or not sports fans, everyone knows that UConn is different, is dominant, and the legacy of coach Geno Auriemma will last forever", says Rachel Galligan,
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Post by linkster on Jan 2, 2023 15:34:09 GMT -5
Here's a video version of the article
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Post by linkster on Jan 2, 2023 15:48:49 GMT -5
This is actually really interesting, although I suspect that, if the numbers do support it, it's more because of the vastly expanded recruiting competition of top domestic players by other schools. Google translate of Ines's coach: UConn's lightning recruitment took everyone by surprise, even Rachel Galligan herself. ”UConn is increasingly looking for international players. The European style of play is very appealing to coach Geno. There are things you don't find here in the US, like the skill level and the decision-making ability related to the 24-second clock. Geno has said that youth play in Europe focuses on practice while in the US they play games. He would rather have a fundamentally sound player. He also thinks the Euros are more mature. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2023 16:11:25 GMT -5
This is actually really interesting, although I suspect that, if the numbers do support it, it's more because of the vastly expanded recruiting competition of top domestic players by other schools. Google translate of Ines's coach: UConn's lightning recruitment took everyone by surprise, even Rachel Galligan herself. ”UConn is increasingly looking for international players. The European style of play is very appealing to coach Geno. There are things you don't find here in the US, like the skill level and the decision-making ability related to the 24-second clock. Geno has said that youth play in Europe focuses on practice while in the US they play games. He would rather have a fundamentally sound player. He also thinks the Euros are more mature. Less entitlement attitudes there and in other overseas regions. Also the Euroleague has strict officiating there, unlike many of our high school and AAU leagues here in the US. More and more girls overseas are realizing they can get a free 4 year degree here, excellent coaching and competition to prepare them for - hopefully - a professional career. Even if they don't make a WNBA team, they'll be 'prized' by many of the foreign professional teams and the pay is usually better there than in the WNBA. Wait until Jana El Alfy gets here ...................... 4 1/2 months............  |
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Post by bulkey on Jan 2, 2023 16:13:52 GMT -5
This is actually really interesting, although I suspect that, if the numbers do support it, it's more because of the vastly expanded recruiting competition of top domestic players by other schools. Google translate of Ines's coach: UConn's lightning recruitment took everyone by surprise, even Rachel Galligan herself. ”UConn is increasingly looking for international players. The European style of play is very appealing to coach Geno. There are things you don't find here in the US, like the skill level and the decision-making ability related to the 24-second clock. Geno has said that youth play in Europe focuses on practice while in the US they play games. He would rather have a fundamentally sound player. He also thinks the Euros are more mature. Sounds right. But I really don't know--I am asking--whether there's been an increase in Europeans at UConn. We can exclude Canada. Lou is here only because she's 5th year (and maybe--we don't know--because Abby Meyers turned us down). Dorka transferred and got an extra Covid year. Ines is only here because of Paige's injury. That really leaves Nika as the only "natural" European recruit. Of course, next year, there is Jana (not European per se), but even she is less likely if Toomey had accepted UConn's offer--which is my point about the suddenly enlarged competition for top tier domestic talent. |
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Post by UConnChapette on Jan 2, 2023 16:36:07 GMT -5
Geno has said that youth play in Europe focuses on practice while in the US they play games. He would rather have a fundamentally sound player. He also thinks the Euros are more mature. Sounds right. But I really don't know--I am asking--whether there's been an increase in Europeans at UConn. We can exclude Canada. Lou is here only because she's 5th year (and maybe--we don't know--because Abby Meyers turned us down). Dorka transferred and got an extra Covid year. Ines is only here because of Paige's injury. That really leaves Nika as the only "natural" European recruit. Of course, next year, there is Jana (not European per se), but even she is less likely if Toomey had accepted UConn's offer--which is my point about the suddenly enlarged competition for top tier domestic talent. Maybe, but seeing they are working out so well, it might become more likely Geno looks to fertile foreign fields for recruits. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2023 16:41:36 GMT -5
Here's a video version of the article Thanks for finding and posting this video. It's much better than the short article and really explains what a unique student-athlete Ines is. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2023 16:45:00 GMT -5
Sounds right. But I really don't know--I am asking--whether there's been an increase in Europeans at UConn. We can exclude Canada. Lou is here only because she's 5th year (and maybe--we don't know--because Abby Meyers turned us down). Dorka transferred and got an extra Covid year. Ines is only here because of Paige's injury. That really leaves Nika as the only "natural" European recruit. Of course, next year, there is Jana (not European per se), but even she is less likely if Toomey had accepted UConn's offer--which is my point about the suddenly enlarged competition for top tier domestic talent. Maybe, but seeing they are working out so well, it might become more likely Geno looks to fertile foreign fields for recruits. I expect Geno to really be more and more receptive to recruiting from overseas, especially after how well his recent 5 have comported themselves @ UConn. |
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Post by bulkey on Jan 2, 2023 16:49:43 GMT -5
I can see Geno looking more to Europe for these reasons.
However, he has a vast network of high school coaches and talent scouts feeding him information and helping him recruit domestic players. He knows much less about European players and sending CD or someone else over there to watch a couple of games and have a dinner with the family is really expensive.
I continue to think that European players will selectively be more on his radar, but the vast amount of his energy will remain on domestic recruiting.
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Post by rukia on Jan 2, 2023 17:41:26 GMT -5
I like your message Bulkey. A lot of things had to happen to transform this team into such an international team.
I think the team will be a little less diverse the next few years.
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