I do want to preface this by saying that.... not many players had a really good practice but they were getting after it!!
My main thing was to look for a leader a vocal passionate guy who gets practice going and everyone up and going at practice... I mostly did not find one.
Jalen Adams- this kid is the real deal... If anyone is having fun out there and enjoying being a UCONN Husky it it is Jalen! He was a little vocal and getting after it. Playing solid D and getting his team (blue) involved. Obviously he is an explosive athlete and can score in a variety of ways but his vision is superior as well already at an early age. Will need experience to continue to get better and more confident. Look for him to take on a starter role after a few games... I say like 6-7 games in... That's the plan anyway.
Steve Enoch - This is a very BIG boy!! He is in the mold of typical UCONN bigs. Kid also has swagger which I love! He was laboring quite a bit during practice(winded) and was called out for it a few times but he has skill and wants to get better daily and will. Definitely see him contributing at both the 4-5 spots this season.
Terry Larrier - Long wiry guy. Plays hard and has a real nice stroke from deep although has to knock it down little more consistently and he will. Him and DHam go at it although this practice they mostly were not facing each other. I like how he takes it to hole strong and not afraid to go try and dunk on someone. Will be a good player for us during his tenure!
Sterling Gibbs - Mature and solid. Not as explosive or free flowing as JA but Sterling gets it done. As mentioned i see him starting early in the season and running the team. He is another one that can really stroke it. His on ball D needs to improve though. He is shorter than I thought but athletic enough to overcome it. Great personality and I hope he can become that experienced leader on and off the court for the guys!
Shonn Miller - A MAN! Husky Nation will love this guy. Another quiet persona but he is a physical beast! He was one of the bright spots throughout practice after a bit of a slow start. He knows his role and the way he will impact games this season for us. Has legit perimeter skills but his money will be made from 17 feet and in.
DHam - Smooth. Has gotten stronger for sure and his stroke from 3 is more pure. He will be the guy for us. Playmaker and scorer.
Purv - His body is NBA ready. Look for him to be much of the same player as the end of last year. He did try to dunk on Facey and Nolan in practice on a couple breakaways but did not finish and he needs to finish those types of plays more!
Amida- Definitely Bigger. Although we know what he will bring he still has a bad tendency to foul and reach when guarding on perimeter on a switch. Got his ass chewed out for that and needs to learn that is what teams will do to get him in foul trouble. Also would like to see him block more shots with opposite hand.
KFacey- Improved. He had the best practice this day overall. Was rebounding strong and way above the rim. His issue to me is that he is still not passionate enough. Very unassuming.
All the other guys were basically the same although all look in better physical and conditioning shape. We will look to run run run a lot this year. Need more easy baskets!!
We have a deep team and talented for sure but need that lead dawg to set everyone straight and accountable and if one or two emerge throughout the season we will have a great year!!
#Strivefor5
My main thing was to look for a leader a vocal passionate guy who gets practice going and everyone up and going at practice... I mostly did not find one.
Jalen Adams- this kid is the real deal... If anyone is having fun out there and enjoying being a UCONN Husky it it is Jalen! He was a little vocal and getting after it. Playing solid D and getting his team (blue) involved. Obviously he is an explosive athlete and can score in a variety of ways but his vision is superior as well already at an early age. Will need experience to continue to get better and more confident. Look for him to take on a starter role after a few games... I say like 6-7 games in... That's the plan anyway.
Steve Enoch - This is a very BIG boy!! He is in the mold of typical UCONN bigs. Kid also has swagger which I love! He was laboring quite a bit during practice(winded) and was called out for it a few times but he has skill and wants to get better daily and will. Definitely see him contributing at both the 4-5 spots this season.
Terry Larrier - Long wiry guy. Plays hard and has a real nice stroke from deep although has to knock it down little more consistently and he will. Him and DHam go at it although this practice they mostly were not facing each other. I like how he takes it to hole strong and not afraid to go try and dunk on someone. Will be a good player for us during his tenure!
Sterling Gibbs - Mature and solid. Not as explosive or free flowing as JA but Sterling gets it done. As mentioned i see him starting early in the season and running the team. He is another one that can really stroke it. His on ball D needs to improve though. He is shorter than I thought but athletic enough to overcome it. Great personality and I hope he can become that experienced leader on and off the court for the guys!
Shonn Miller - A MAN! Husky Nation will love this guy. Another quiet persona but he is a physical beast! He was one of the bright spots throughout practice after a bit of a slow start. He knows his role and the way he will impact games this season for us. Has legit perimeter skills but his money will be made from 17 feet and in.
DHam - Smooth. Has gotten stronger for sure and his stroke from 3 is more pure. He will be the guy for us. Playmaker and scorer.
Purv - His body is NBA ready. Look for him to be much of the same player as the end of last year. He did try to dunk on Facey and Nolan in practice on a couple breakaways but did not finish and he needs to finish those types of plays more!
Amida- Definitely Bigger. Although we know what he will bring he still has a bad tendency to foul and reach when guarding on perimeter on a switch. Got his ass chewed out for that and needs to learn that is what teams will do to get him in foul trouble. Also would like to see him block more shots with opposite hand.
KFacey- Improved. He had the best practice this day overall. Was rebounding strong and way above the rim. His issue to me is that he is still not passionate enough. Very unassuming.
All the other guys were basically the same although all look in better physical and conditioning shape. We will look to run run run a lot this year. Need more easy baskets!!
We have a deep team and talented for sure but need that lead dawg to set everyone straight and accountable and if one or two emerge throughout the season we will have a great year!!
#Strivefor5
