Case File No. 29: Satou Sabally

 

Satou Sabally. Photo Credit: Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images.

For my first WNBA scouting report, I dig into the file of Dallas Wings forward, Satou Sabally. Before I continue, learn the keys of head coaching from Lin Dunn, a former head coach and currently GM of the Indiana Fever, where she won a championship in 2012. You will learn the five keys to being a successful head coach and the four priorities to keeping a program intact and much more. You can purchase this course here.

Team: Dallas Wings

Position: Forward 

HT: 6-4

Credentials:

2x WNBA All-Star

All-WNBA First-Team (2023)

WNBA Most Improved Player (2023)

WNBA All-Rookie Team (2020)

Strengths:

-Well-rounded player

-Versatile scorer

-Good use of ball fakes to drive to the basket or to clear space for a jump shot

-At her best when spotting up as a shooter

-Very good ball handler

-Good passer and court vision

-Disruptive with active hands defensively

Weaknesses:

-Her shooting seems to be mainly spotting up, it doesn't look like she offers much as a shooter outside of that.

-Finds herself in the middle of altercations at times 

Final Analysis:

Overall, Satou is a well-rounded player who plays on both ends. I think she’s the dangerously basic type: not the most flashy, but is fundamentally sound.

She’s a versatile scorer, who can do it facing up, attacking the basket--which she seems to favor--shooting, and in the low post. The face-up jumper is another of her go-to moves.

Uses ball fakes to get to the basket or to clear space for a jump shot. She has good range on her shot, and is lethal when spotting up. A good ball handler and passer, she’s able to keep her dribble in traffic and find open players.

Does a good job staying in front of the player and has active hands whether it’s making a timely reach for a steal or playing the passing lanes.

I hope that she’s smarter with her response in certain situations moving forward. I know things can happen in the spur of the moment, but I saw too many clips with her in altercations.

Some might view this as her being gritty, and I understand in some situations, some actions might be justified (at the end of the day, we're human) but too much of that can be viewed as a character issue.

To see her bounce back and have the season she had (All-WNBA First-Team, WNBA Most Improved Player) speaks volumes to what she’s capable of.

Case File No.28: Moose

 

Moose. Photo Credit: TNA/Impact Wrestling.

Today, I dive into the profile of former NFL player and current TNA World champion, Moose. Before I continue, learn wrestling tips and techniques from one the best high school coaches in the country, Bobby DeBerry. In this video, you will learn warm up drills, basic offense, finishes, pinning combinations, and much more. Purchase the lesson here.

 

HT: 6-5 WT:299

Promotion: TNA 

Credentials:

PWI Rookie of the Year (2015)

TNA World Championship (2x, current)

Impact Grand Championship (2x)

Strengths:

-A powerhouse 

-Athletic and agile for his size

-Engages the audience with his action

-Plays both face and heel roles well

Weaknesses:

-Too aggressive at times 

-Could be better on the mic/cutting promos

Final Analysis:

Moose is what some would call a freak of nature. Along with his raw power, he's athletic, agile, and explosive for a guy his size. Although there more wrestlers his size or bigger who possess athleticism and agility nowadays, it's still amazing to see guys like him move the way they do. This is a former NFL offensive lineman.

He knows how to engage the crowd with his actions/antics, and he gets pop from them when he enters the ring. From the wrestlers' entrance music I've heard, he has by far the best entrance music in TNA, and I think that's where part of the pop he receives comes from.

He can be too aggressive at times, and opponents immediately take advantage. Although he's far from the worst I've heard on the mic and cutting promos, I think this is area where he can improve the most.

Overall, I think Moose is underrated. He checks most boxes in terms of what most look for in a wrestler, and although his mic skills and promos needs work, he makes up for it with his antics. He's smarter than most people think, which ties back into his antics. 

Personally, I'm glad he's the World champ, and it's going to be interesting to see what he does in his second title reign.

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.

Case File No.23: Jordan Hicks

 

Jordan Hicks. Photo Credit: Stacy Bengs/Associated Press.

Today, I will look into the case file of Jordan Hicks, a well-rounded linebacker who I think is underrated and underappreciated. 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: Minnesota Vikings

Position: linebacker

HT: 6-1 WT: 236

Credentials:

Super bowl LII champion 

Strengths:

-Diagnoses plays

-Thinks on his feet, good at making heads-up plays

-Can rush the quarterback when need be

-Excellent in run support

-Good in coverage

Weaknesses:

-Not the fastest or most athletic linebacker 

Final Analysis:

Jordan is a well-rounded linebacker who can cover, disrupt the run, and rush the quarterback, although he's typically not asked to do that at his position. He has a high football IQ; he's good at diagnosing plays and making heads-up plays.

While he's not the fastest linebacker, he has enough range to get from sideline to sideline. 

He's an example of you don't have to be a "star" to have talent. In other words, just because a player doesn't make an All-Pro list, doesn't mean he's sub-par or lacks talent altogether. 

I just discovered today that he has never been to the Pro Bowl or made an all-pro team, and I think that's ridiculous, especially given his abilities and he's performing at high level at an age where most players start to decline. Who knows? That could change this season, at the rate that he's going.