Case File No.27: Paige Bueckers

 

Paige Bueckers. Photo Credit: Ian Bethune/The UConn Blog

Today, I dive into the case file of UConn's Paige Bueckers, who is not only projected to be a lottery pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, but is slated to be one of the first two to be picked. Before I continue, train like a superhero with personal trainer and martial arts instructor, Simone Marini. This lesson focuses on strength, mobility, speed, and cardio. You can purchase the course here.

Position: Point guard

HT: 6-0

College: Connecticut

Class: Senior 

Credentials:

AP Player of the Year (2021)

Naismith College Player of the Year (2021)

Big East Player of the Year (2021)

First-team All-Big East (2021)

Strengths:

-Lights out shooter

-Can score in multiple ways 

-Great ball handler

-Good passer

-Uses her length and quickness to play passing lanes 

Weakness:

-Takes ill-advised shots at times

-Could be a better playmaker as a passer than she is

Final Analysis:

Paige is a dangerous shooter and scorer who can do both in multiple ways. Although her range extends beyond the three-point line, her off the dribble shot around or above the key is deadly.

Although she's better with the ball, she's willing to move without the ball. She's an excellent ball handler who is able to keep her dribble and make plays in traffic.

I didn't see any glaring flaws in her game, she will take ill-advised shots, and there has been some concern about her trying to do too much. With her playmaking ability as a passer when she chooses to, I would like to see her demonstrate more of that without compromising her game.

As dangerous of a player as Paige is, I still think she's potential untapped, who has yet to reach her ceiling.

Case File No.26: Geno Smith

 

Geno Smith. Photo Credit: Stacy Revere/Getty Images.

Today's case file is on Geno Smith, who seems to have revived his career in Seattle. Before I continue, visit rdxsports.com and become a part of Team RDX. Get the latest on martial arts and fitness gear at a 10% discount.

Team: Seattle Seahawks

Position: Quarterback

HT:6-3 

WT:221

Credentials:

Comeback Player of the Year (2022)

NFL completion percentage leader (2022)

Pro bowl (2022)

Strengths:

-Can make all the throws

-Pocket game has greatly improved

-Shows more poise in the pocket

-Accuracy has improved

-Can make plays with his feet if he needs to

Weaknesses:

-Still struggles with turnovers at times

-Occasionally holds the ball too long

Final Analysis:

After an inconsistent, career backup path he was on, Geno seems to have found new life in Seattle.

His pocket game has improved; he has been more accurate, his poise, timing, and ball placement has been much better. He also has a pretty deep ball.

He still has the turnover issues here and there, and holds the ball too long sometimes, but overall, he's much more consistent than he has been his entire career.

After winning comeback player of the year and earning his first pro bowl on the backend of his career, he's an example of one I would call a late blossomer, and what happens when you don't give up.

Case File No.25: Cameron Brink

Cameron Brink (22). Photo Credit: Godofredo A. Vasquez/AP.

Today, I will dive into the case file of Stanford's Cameron Brink, who's slated to be a lottery pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. Before I continue, are you looking to prepare your daughter for college basketball? Purchase Jeff Williams' Court Demo here. The Amarillo high school head coach will teach them the basics and how to succeed at the college level. The price is $10 (sub-total), but the lessons she learns from this demo are priceless.

Position: Forward

HT: 6-4

College: Stanford

Class: Senior

Credentials:

NCAA champion (2021)

Pac-12 Co-Player of the Year (2022)

Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year (2022, 2023)

Pac-12 All-Defensive Team (2022, 2023)

Strengths:

-Two-way player

-Can score in multiple ways

-Good low post game

-Good shooter spotting up

-Great rebounder 

-Great defensive presence and rim protector

-Good timing when blocking shots

-Will rotate and make plays as a team defender

Weaknesses:

-Needs to get stronger 

-Not the fastest or most athletic

-Doesn't move as well laterally

-Foul prone 

Final Analysis:

Cameron is a nightmare on both ends of the floor, defensively in particular. She can score driving to the basket, facing up, and in the low post. She's a good shooter when spotting up.

She's not particularly fast or athletic, and doesn't move as well laterally as she does vertically. She's foul prone, which usually a sign of someone who is too aggressive. She doesn't seem to offer much as a shooter outside of spotting up.

Cameron strikes me as the type of player who some would say, "doesn't look the part." She's not the most exciting, the fastest or the most athletic, but she's killing your team every night.

Case File No.24: Angel Reese

Angel Reese (10). Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports.

Today, I dive into the case file of Angel Reese. Her season got off to a rocky, controversial start, I'll dabble into that a little later, but she has bounced back since then. Now, let's take a look at the game of the current NCAA Women's champion and potential lottery pick of the 2024 WNBA draft. Before I continue, visit rdxsports.com and become a part of Team RDX. Get the latest on martial arts and fitness gear at a 10% discount.

Position: Forward

HT: 6-3

College: LSU

Class: Senior

Credentials:

NCAA champion (2023)

NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (2023)

First-team All-SEC (2023)

First-team All-Big Ten (2022)

SEC All-Defensive Team (2023)

Big Ten All-Defensive Team (2022)

Strengths:

-Two-way player

-Energetic

-Rangy 

-Handles the ball well, can keep her dribble in traffic 

-Aggressive attacking the basket

-Has a good face-up and low post game

-Uses unique angles and maneuvers to make difficult shots in the paint

-Good shot blocker

-Good individual and team defender

-Can guard multiple positions

-A monster on the boards

Weaknesses:

-Too reliant on the low post and facing up

-Questions whether or not she can shoot

-Shaky from the stripe

-Rushes her shot at times

-Issues that had her briefly away from the team could be seen as a character issue

Final Analysis:

Angel is a two-way player who is a walking double-double and can score from attacking the basket, facing up, or the low post. She handles the ball almost like a point guard. She has a nose for the ball when crashing the boards. 

Defensively, she's a great individual and team defender, willing to double team and rotate on plays, and can guard multiple positions. She brings hustle and high energy that spreads amongst her teammates.

She overly relies on the aforementioned weapons in her arsenal and she seems to shy away from taking jump shots. There's nothing wrong with those moves and of themselves, but when a player relies on them too much, they tend to be mediocre or poor shooters. It will at least make you question if they can shoot.

An issue, possibly a personal matter that caused her to be away from the team earlier this season can, and in some cases, will be seen as a character issue and will make some teams leery.

Overall, my hope is that she can keep her head in the game and stay focused. I think she is a special talent who can develop into a once-in-a-lifetime talent. From a talent standpoint, she reminds me a lot of Giannis Antetokounmpo. From what I saw, I think she's a lottery pick, but I think she will make teams seriously regret it if they pass her up.