Lulu is our headliner and leader on this team. She is the only starter from last year's team, and was known largely for her 3 point shooting. But she also improved her versatility by developing her drive game, and finishing with a euro step. She will get even more defensive attention at the 3 as we lose 3 experienced three-point shooters. I'd like to see her develop her mid-range, so won't need to get all the way to rim to score.

Really excited to see what Gabby can do. With super athlete/ supreme rebounder graduated, Gabby will need to step up and provide more minutes and expand her game. She's athletic and strong enough, and showed flashes of post footwork. Maybe she needs to develop a 10 foot shot.

Gisella was a high rated recruit and started getting primetime minutes later in the season. If she will be 100% healthy this season she could break out. Not sure she is a shooter, but she has the size and athleticism to be our lockdown defender and score opportunity points.

Lola got the most consistent minutes off the bench, mostly as a defender and to keep the offense flowing. Early in the season she shot a lot of 3s given her minutes, but her shooting form and results were poor. Later she either lost confidence, or she lost the green light. Still for her to shoot so much early on she must have been a solid shooter in HS. Perhaps an offseason will get her back on track.

Anastasia is another player coming off injury. She started getting spot minutes near the end of the season. Hopefully she will be 100% this season. In her limited minutes she didn't look for her shot, but looked like a high hoops IQ who recognized openings and scored at the rim.

Claudia is yet another returning player coming back from injury. She will have a significant role in our post rotation and as a stretch big gives our offense a different look, especially on a team who lost a lot of long range shooters.

Good analysis.

I think you mean Gaby (not Abby) Abigor. And Gisella Maul.

My guess is Lulu, Puff, and our three transfers will start. It would be great if Anastasia, Lola, Gisella, Claudia, and Gabrielle can come in and play at that level. All but Gabrielle are recovering from injuries and could be much better than the last time we saw them play. If our other freshies can play then so much the better.

BTW I ran into Mikala Cowling, Sakima Walker, and another young woman I didn't recognize at Brenda's on Broadway in Oakland. Mikayla looks great and was as friendly as ever. Sakima towered over Mikayla so her listed height is legit.

My way too early prediction for the coming season is that we are going to be very pleased with Gisella Maul who will play an important role for the team. My other prediction is that I have no idea what we can get out of Claudia (but I'm hoping for the best).

Brenda's looks like a place I would love to try. Always looking for breakfast places.

stu said:

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BTW I ran into Mikala Cowling, Sakima Walker, and another young woman I didn't recognize at Brenda's on Broadway in Oakland. Mikayla looks great and was as friendly as ever. Sakima towered over Mikayla so her listed height is legit.

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I spotted Layshia Clarendon by Lake Merritt the other day! I thought better than to say hello and distract them (their toddler was on top of the play structure by the Bandstand at the time, lol). All smiles and blonde hair

Good info on the zoom call today. I think Charmin said that Taylor Barnes is killing it. I think you are right about the starters. The Second team of Gabby, Giselle, Claudia and 2 of the 3 other freshmen look pretty good. Charmin's thinks this will be a good rebounding and defensive team. She said the Final Four team was great at rebounding and defense but couldn't shoot worth a lick.

Smith also indicated that the lob into the post - Walker - will be a mainstay (again) but better because Walker is 6'5 and she's "already there" where as Onyiah had to go up to get the pass.

Can't wait for the first open practice. The player I am most eager to watch is Abigor. She worked really hard last year and made a lot of progress. She is veery athletic. She even practiced three's.

If she could handle the ball (and that is a big if), she might be a stretch four. She is very fast (first in the sprints). She needs to get stronger. Michele was very strong. So Abigor needs to hit the weight room.

wvitbear said:

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Can't wait for the first open practice. The player I am most eager to watch is Abigor. She worked really hard last year and made a lot of progress. She is veery athletic. She even practiced three's.

If she could handle the ball (and that is a big if), she might be a stretch four. She is very fast (first in the sprints). She needs to get stronger. Michele was very strong. So Abigor needs to hit the weight room.

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I went to my first WBB game last year and followed them on TV the last few weeks of the season, so I have less exposure than many of you. But I agree with your statements above. Gabby looks plenty athletic, but she is pretty green. If she's going to be a C/PF, she needs an inside shot that she has confidence in, ideally a jump- hook or a short turn around jumper. Not sure about her rebounding, but my sense is that she doesn't get good position. Then, sure, a 3PT shot would be great, but a 12-15 ft shot would probably be more useful for her at this stage. If she develops good form, she can stretch that to 3PT range for the following season.