Is there a Nurse in the house???

Kia Nurse  

Kia is probably the more watched freshman and because of that, the most critiqued freshman this year. Playing for the Canadian National team Uconn fans got to either watch her live in the exhibition game against team USA or on one of the ESPN channels during the actual tournament.

So, of course, she is open to the usual fan criticism, some warranted and some off the wall. My favorite is the refrain that she is not athletic. Huh? All I know is a 17 year old incoming freshman was the starting point guard for a top 5 team in the FIBA tournament where most of the best players in the world were participating.  Not only did Kia start, but she was a huge contributor to the teams success.   

So, what does she bring to Uconn her freshman year and what can we expect from her? Well, there are a few certainties.

1. Maturity. When you play with older players, you grow up quickly, both emotionally and physically. Her skills at the point matured to where she instinctively knew where to be and where her teammates were.

2. Physical strength. She has a WNBA ready body – a strong upper body which she is able to use in a solid post up game for a guard. Her strength really shines through on the defensive end. She can body up the guards and handle herself in the post on defensive switches.

 

3. Basketball smarts. This is a recurring theme with the incoming freshman and can't be 

underestimated. Yeah Geno is doing his usual thing in making fun of them for not knowing the plays but Kia will pick it up quickly. I loved the Canadian teams' offense and it's not that different than Geno's. 

Did I whet your appetite? Time for a video.

What I noticed is how much bigger and stronger she has become since her junior year when this video was made.

Here is another on from 2012. An interview after a tough game against Netherlands. I just love her enthusiasm.

There are fair questions about her shooting. She appears to be inconsisten with her jumper and more so from 3 point range. But she passes the eye test with me. Her shooting form is excellent and I expect her to improve greatly as time goes on. 

I am really looking forward to hearing practice reports on her progress and the early games to see how Geno will utilize her skill set. My guess is she will come off the bench as the backup point guard to Jefferson, splitting that duty with the freshman Edwards. One of those two will get more minutes and I wouldn't be surprised at all if that is Nurse.

Next.......you wanna talk athlete??? Introducing the last but not least freshman. Stay tuned...