Rumor mill grinds out this: Lili Thompson quitting team at Stanford

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ClayK
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10:28a, 7/9/16
If true, big news in the Pac-12.

The narrative has always been that, for all her positives, playing for Tara is not that much fun. Players stay because they love Stanford, but they don't like the basketball program that much.

I can't speak to the truth of this, but it's something you hear pretty consistently ...
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kat0189
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In reply to ClayK • 3:07p, 7/9/16
I actually only learned of this recently. I saw some speculation a while back on the Stanford board but didn't pay too much attention, then I looked closer and someone flat-out said she's no longer on the Stanford WBB team and it's kinda been known since around the time she and her family chose not to attend the banquet. IIRC, I also read that she and/or the family do plan to share why. Basically, it sounded like there is a story there but my impression is that zero further details will be shared by anyone who knows until the family and/or Lili share it, and I have no idea to what degree so I didn't try to investigate or speculate. Her future plans are also unknown (though I'm guessing she graduates from Stanford, b/c I think she's been spotted on campus at times that imply so, but will not play on their WBB team next season), so I imagine both will be shared at the same time.

It is unfortunate b/c Stanford hasn't had the best luck recruiting but I definitely looked at next season as a potential peak year for them. No superstar, but McCall has the highest ceiling and it's her senior year. Kaylee would be a junior so you'd expect more offense from her and it would kind of be a bonus not always needed too. Then they would have had a solid and diverse "committee" of starting-caliber players around the perimeter, but Lili was definitely the most dangerous. Then of course there was (and still is) solid depth at most positions. And I really didn't think their solid incoming class would be called upon to make a big impact right away so any developments there would be a bonus too.

They do already have a good backcourt still, but I think now they could really use significant contributions from a freshman guard, Wilson or Carrington. Or both.
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kat0189
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In reply to ClayK • 3:42p, 7/9/16
ClayK;842706979 said:
If true, big news in the Pac-12.

The narrative has always been that, for all her positives, playing for Tara is not that much fun. Players stay because they love Stanford, but they don't like the basketball program that much.

I can't speak to the truth of this, but it's something you hear pretty consistently ...


I enjoy Tara a lot. But I've never met her so of course I only base that off her deadpan humor talking to the media. Candice Wiggins LOVED Tara (recall she said so explicitly in tears in her interview after getting Stanford back to the Final Four in '08, the first time in a decade I believe, then she sprinted toward her and lifted her off the ground while hugging her). But since then, I have indeed noticed in a subtle way that none of her former star players (the ones that get interviewed a lot) have really expressed having that type of bond with her. Ros Gold-Onwude wasn't a superstar on the court per se but of course a media favorite and it seemed they had a quirky love/hate relationship, but Ros being Ros obviously always made it a funny story with a positive takeaway.

Tara is obviously very professional and principled. Thus, I doubt the story with Lili will be anything like a scandal or even drama. Tara and her job...it's is a bit of a unique situation compared to all other WCBB coaches, so it's hard really to compare her style, but she doesn't seem very sentimental. She does go to bat for her players and the Pac-12 conference in the media a lot, though.
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stu
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In reply to kat0189 • 12:25a, 7/10/16
This may not be applicable here, but I've noticed some coaches (women's and men's) seem to expect more of guards . That's not surprising as guards need a wide variety of physical and mental skills, but I suppose most coaches were once guards themselves and some may expect too much too soon.
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ClayK
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In reply to ClayK • 9:49a, 7/10/16
I have always gotten along well with Tara, and she's a relentless promoter of the women's game. It's a shame, if true, that playing for her isn't as rewarding as one would think.
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kat0189
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In reply to ClayK • 3:29p, 7/10/16
I didn't buy it when KLS harped mostly on Geno's player development after picking UConn. Both Ogwumikes were drafted #1. And KLS mostly talked about improving inside, but Gabby W. & Collier will definitely be inside more despite being shorter and each UConn incoming transfer has been big thus successively reducing the need for her inside. And why would she ever handle the ball now that they have 5'5" Dangerfield. Offensively, she might get pretty pigeon-holed as a shooter at UConn whereas she may have taken every shot and from everywhere for 4 years @ Stanford & maybe developed all-around in a Nicole-Powell-esque role, which certainly worked for her in HS. Heck, kind of like how Sue Bird pointed out getting double or triple teamed all game @ Delaware might have helped EDD & made transitioning to the WNBA easier, that might've been the case for KLS at Stanford.
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califan
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In reply to ClayK • 8:12a, 7/11/16
Do you even watch Uconn? I ask because it is strange that you would conclude that only 1 or 2 players would handle the ball. Last year which included KLS as a starter. all players handled the ball but the most impressive thing was the passing and the efficiency in the way they played. They were so far ahead of any team in the nation on both offense and defense it was simply amazing to watch. I can see why any really good player would want to go to Uconn but only if they have a really high basketball IQ as if they don't they won't play there.

Re Stanford, I think we all have some friends who are die hard Tree supporters, the ones I know basically told me that Stanford blew out OSU without Thompson, the Thompsons didn't like that much and they have moved on. Whatever happened, it sounded to me as if they though they were more important than the team.
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wifeisafurd
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In reply to kat0189 • 8:10p, 7/11/16
kat0189;842707020 said:
I enjoy Tara a lot. But I've never met her so of course I only base that off her deadpan humor talking to the media. Candice Wiggins LOVED Tara (recall she said so explicitly in tears in her interview after getting Stanford back to the Final Four in '08, the first time in a decade I believe, then she sprinted toward her and lifted her off the ground while hugging her). But since then, I have indeed noticed in a subtle way that none of her former star players (the ones that get interviewed a lot) have really expressed having that type of bond with her. Ros Gold-Onwude wasn't a superstar on the court per se but of course a media favorite and it seemed they had a quirky love/hate relationship, but Ros being Ros obviously always made it a funny story with a positive takeaway.

Tara is obviously very professional and principled. Thus, I doubt the story with Lili will be anything like a scandal or even drama. Tara and her job...it's is a bit of a unique situation compared to all other WCBB coaches, so it's hard really to compare her style, but she doesn't seem very sentimental. She does go to bat for her players and the Pac-12 conference in the media a lot, though.


I don't know what is going on with Thompson, and how much it may have to do with Tara.

I have met Tara several times, and while she is disciplined in public, she is a hoot once you get a class of wine down her in private. You would be surprised.

She seems old school in terms of sharing emotions with her players (almost the opposite of Gottlieb). Also, she expects her players to be professional and principled as well, and no drama (she is fairly no-nonsense). I don't think she has the patience for many of today's players.

I have talked to Wiggins about Tara and your right, she think she is the "classiest lady" she ever met. Wiggins had a lot of things go on in her outside life, and Tara and the team were very supportive. Tara seems close to the women that have played for her, and stays in touch, especially following their careers outside basketball. But if your playing for her, its a disciplined existence, and for the right players very rewarding.
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wifeisafurd
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In reply to ClayK • 8:15p, 7/11/16
Uconn is just a pleasure to watch for us oldsters, with the ball movement, efficiency, positioning on defense, and just wonderful fundamentals. Comparable to watching the Warriors and Monty ball.
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kat0189
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In reply to califan • 10:51p, 7/12/16
califan;842707232 said:
Do you even watch Uconn? I ask because it is strange that you would conclude that only 1 or 2 players would handle the ball. Last year which included KLS as a starter. all players handled the ball but the most impressive thing was the passing and the efficiency in the way they played. They were so far ahead of any team in the nation on both offense and defense it was simply amazing to watch. I can see why any really good player would want to go to Uconn but only if they have a really high basketball IQ as if they don't they won't play there.

Re Stanford, I think we all have some friends who are die hard Tree supporters, the ones I know basically told me that Stanford blew out OSU without Thompson, the Thompsons didn't like that much and they have moved on. Whatever happened, it sounded to me as if they though they were more important than the team.


I dont (that often) but i do know they move the ball very well and everyone does touch the ball a lot. but still lol ..idk.
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kat0189
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In reply to wifeisafurd • 10:54p, 7/12/16
i just think limelight was attractive @uconn, which is normal and normal to not come out and say that. not sure why i changed the topic lol
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ClayK
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In reply to ClayK • 8:14a, 7/14/16
Re the Lili Thompson rumor:

Stanford SID says they have heard nothing. Didn't say, however, that she was definitely coming back.
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DLSbear
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In reply to ClayK • 4:15p, 7/15/16
Maybe she placed herself on the grad list and that has fueled speculation? That's usually an indicator!
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kat0189
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In reply to ClayK • 11:54p, 7/15/16
On the Stanford board it's understood that Thompson has not been on the team for 3-4 months. The language is slightly open to interpretation, but again, *slightly.* so my impression is that she will not play for stanford next season but seems as though she will remain in school to graduate. but really i think the only reason it's a little ambiguous is that people who know why Thompson left the wbb team @ stanford are letting/waiting for Thompson & family to determine what & when the announcement is. or that her precise plans for next year aren't yet finalized, EXCEPT the part about NOT playing for stanford's wbb team next season IS /seems to be a pretty finalized decision.

also,, i did notice a nice photo of the stanford wbb staff @ Jayne Appel's wedding and all looked to be quite happy. IIRC, Jayne was a bit closer to an assistant, maybe Paye?
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bobbk
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In reply to ClayK • 9:13a, 7/16/16
Kat you have been on the bootleg for years. Surely you have read the parents posts.
Your last paragraph isn't a good guess.
I sent you a pm a week ago 😄
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ClayK
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In reply to ClayK • 10:19a, 7/16/16
So what were the parents' posts?
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bobbk
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In reply to ClayK • 6:32p, 7/16/16
I'm not going to say much on an open board but Kat I just responded to you on the bootleg.
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tazmaz
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In reply to kat0189 • 4:20a, 7/21/16
McCall is now a superstar with her continued development.
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iminoc
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In reply to tazmaz • 7:49a, 7/21/16
tazmaz;842709402 said:
McCall is now a superstar with her continued development.


McCall is far from a superstar. I can see calling one of the Ogwumike sisters superstars or Breanna Stewart, but McCall isnt close to their level.
A solid player, at best.
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califan
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In reply to ClayK • 8:09a, 7/21/16
Agree with Iminoc, no where near. She seems to have very little real understanding of the game, hustle player yes, don't get me wrong, but not your typical Stanford player who knows when to box out on big plays or pass for a better shot. Half the shots she takes are bad shots.
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bobbk
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In reply to ClayK • 1:58p, 7/21/16
http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_30153525/stanford-loses-star-guard-who-wont-return-senior
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wifeisafurd
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In reply to bobbk • 10:48a, 7/22/16
bobbk;842709509 said:
http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_30153525/stanford-loses-star-guard-who-wont-return-senior


All this sounds odd. Like there is a secret. Might as well stay that way for privacy sake.
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califan
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In reply to ClayK • 1:42p, 7/22/16
This is quite funny to me, if what the tree faithful are saying. According to the jibber jabber, its just dad wanting some air time, apparently he was dissing on Tara etc, on their board and calling the other posters names.
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bearinsocal
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In reply to ClayK • 10:46p, 7/22/16
If McCall improves and plays like she did in the 2nd half of the season, then she will be an AA. How/why did all of a sudden did she start taking and making long range jump shots/3pters? I don't follow Stanford to closely, but it was just odd seeing her start shooting and making them consistently in the 2nd half of the year.
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