Emma's game is very similar to Sonia Citron's and they...
by Cavanaugh82 (2024-04-25 06:25:08)

In reply to: Tell me about Risch..  posted by LADomer

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are, obviously, similar in their physical attributes as 6'1" guards. Emma is probably a better three-point shooter (one of the best in the country coming out of high school) but Sonia is better at just about everything else (but I think Sonia is better than most college players at everything else).

Emma only played 88 minutes last year, just over two complete games worth, so it is hard to judge her performance. Most of her time was in short 2-3 minute segments substituting for one of the starters and almost half of her minutes played (42 mins) were in two games against NJIT and Chicago St (the worst team in D1 women's basketball) so the statistics are going to be skewed by the level of competition.

When she was playing in the zone defense she was on the baseline so she was essentially playing in the same position as Citron and Westbeld and she actually had several blocked shots and averaged 10 rebounds/40 minutes played. It is probably worth mentioning that she was suffering from this lingering hip injury that eventually required surgery. I have no idea how her rehabilitation has affected her normal S&C development.

Because of her three-point shooting ability some people have suggested that she might be the next Alicia Ratay and I don't think that is fair to either player. Ratay was a great three-point shooter but she was much more than that and Emma is unlikely to approach Alicia's season or career three-point shooting accomplishments. Maybe someone like Madison Cable would be a better comparison but let's just let Emma be Emma instead of comparing her to other players.

I agree with you that it is going to be hard to find minutes for any player that is not starting and, for Emma, the possible addition to the roster of someone like Aaliyah Nye would make it even more difficult.

Great insights
by LADomer  (2024-04-28 19:20:22)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Thanks!

I am excited to watch her develop. She seems to really connect with all the players and have a tremendous enthusiasm. So, a great fit from that standpoint.
The one recording I have where she's playing, she seemed
by Jon  (2024-04-25 14:42:14)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

locked in on defense better than I would've thought.

Not that worried about her or Kate's offense as much, that will be overflowing in abundance. What's going to surprise people is the cat 5 hurricanes of defense this team will unleash, especially against backcourts.
Great insights
by LADomer  (2024-04-25 11:38:55)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Thanks!

I am excited to watch her develop. She seems to really connect with all the players and have a tremendous enthusiasm. So, a great fit from that standpoint.
I watched almost all of the player videos from their...
by Cavanaugh82  (2024-04-25 13:10:07)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

European trip and on several occasions KK called Emma BF and bestie so it seems like they have really hit it off. I hope they will be integral parts to the Irish success for the next couple of years at least. Great kids, great players and, hopefully, great alums.
Well stated. *
by MountainMan  (2024-04-25 13:37:16)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Emma is starting from scratch. As you mention she only
by MountainMan  (2024-04-25 06:37:15)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

played the equivalent of two games all of last season. If the sharpshooter from Illinois/Alabama commits, then Emmas game time will be limited.

This year will be finishing any necessary rehab and then strength and conditioning. Her game time will be practicing against one of the top four teams in the country. Hopefully, she sees her opportunity coming next season. (You mentioned she showed some rebounding attributes, I agree. She also can really pass the ball and sees the floor well.)
Hard to Gauge at This Time, Given Lack of Overall Game Time
by dillon77  (2024-04-25 06:56:49)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

I might've been lucky to see one of her longer stints at NJIT: 15 minutes, 8 points of 2-3 from the floor, 4-5 from the line. No three's but nailed a smooth mid-range right in front of us.

What struck me was how tall she was and long her arms were. The fact that she got 5 rebounds was not surprising. She goes to the ball.

Niele likes to aim high in her superlatives and her teammate Alicia Ratay comes to mind because she was tall and uber accurate. Maddie Cable may be an apt comparison, too.

But at this juncture, who knows? The way I'm interpreting the interest in another tall shooting guard is simple: depth. Depth for whatever reason: injury, recuperation, more weapons (see analogies to Staley's use of roster down below in roster size).

Luckily, Anna's got four full years so let's hope she gets healthy, but is used enough to keep her interested and engaged.