Blurb on TVO from the Athletics list of the 25 most intriguing players in college basketball.

An appropriante list for her; definitely a player I really enjoy watching. I'm very curious to see how her game evolves. Specifically:

- She mentioned finding her go-to 1:1 moves not working at times in D1 that had always worked at the HS level. As someone who won 1:1 contests against elite HS players, she clearly makes this part of her game mindset. That's not something a lot of PGs that pass as well as she does really hone, and I suspect we'll see her use her strength to get herself shots, as she can't rely on being able to get around people consistently at D1 with just quickness.

- She got caught in no-mans land at times last year (driving to the basket where players didn't commit to stopping her, but didn't leave whoever they were guarding either; it forced her into either TOs or very difficult shots. I think we'll see her better at forcing defensive decisions and reading those decisions faster when she goes to the basket.

- She will be guarded 5' beyond the 3 pt line for the rest of her career. That makes zoning OSU very hard, as it's so much ground to cover and creates big soft-spots. She won't have Aleah though representing the same threat from well beyond the arc; if someone else fills that gap, we really limit defensive options. I suspect she will use her deep threat to really squeeze defenses, as her defender either can't help at all (if in a zone) or has to follow her around the entire floor in man2man (woman2woman?) defense (also providing no help and susceptible to high screens/slashing action).

I believe she will be THE player defenses will focus on strategically, as she sets up so much of the action. I also believe she understands the game well enough to make this work against the opposition, once she sees and exploits the intent of the defensive strategy.

As someone that loves the chess play of basketball, there's not many players more fun to watch IMO.

Most people do not understand the value of a high Basketball IQ. It allows the player to recognize not only to take advantage and mitigate their own strengths and weaknesses, but also those aspects in the opposition. My viewing history of Oregon St only goes back so far but from what I have seen she seems to be the highest BBIQ player in their history. She sort of remineds me of Chelsea Gray in that respect in both IQ and skill level. Much of what entails BBIQ can not be learned but is an inherent skill you either have or don't. It also involves recognizing angles,spacing and being able to process visual information rapidly.Those skills can be refined through experience and practice but their foundations are inhereted.

I have seemingly been critical of oregon st ball handlers and distributors in the past but that was because I was comparing them to a simular standard that the beaves fans will be treated to watching their new Point. Even in her short time on the court, those that understand the game have already recognized her as being a very special player as evidence by her being placed on many preseason lists.

One not recognized aspect of her being on the team will be the standard she will set as a role model for those that follow her.

Grays game changed about two and a half years ago for a number of potential reasons. She became more offensive minded with the LA three years ago because of injuries to a number of the go too starters. She got totally burned out by years end because she played more minutes than anyone else in the WNBA.I would agree with your assessment in respect to her game for the last two + years, however before that she was primarily a pass first PG even though she could score at will. In high school she never averaged more than 14 points a game on a team that put up 90 per game. Her overall game has also declined in the last two as has her focus likely because she got married I noticed a really big drop off since then (loss of focus ). Hopefully she might get it back in the future playing for the Aces where she does not have to be a primary scorer.  

I remember you responded with your evaluation and reasons about a year and a half ago on another site in respect to point guard abilties. I did not respond then as the issue was her present play and I could see your point. However, the issue of this thread is not Grays basketball career, but the simularities I see in there respective development. That would be in respect to both their freshman years in college and the impact it has on their respective teams. I don't know if Gray will ever return to the player she was, but that was not the point of my post. Its not even relevant in evaluation a players skill set for the present, because the past does not matter rather what is today does.  

In respect to our disconnect in our different evalutions of Gray, I would attribute it to our differeng sample sizes. Based on the the last few years I can see your point.  However, my sample size goes all the way back to 2008. I used to be far more involved in girls/womens basketball than I am now. I followed Grays career since she was a sophmore in high school. I followed lot of players careers, especially the ones from my area. However, I always attempted to maintain a sense of objectivity and my familierity does not proclude me from being critical. I was very critical of Sabrina her sophmore and the start of her Junior seasons in high school even when everyone else was praising her increase in production. Players often go through issues at certain times in their careers, but they often correct them in time as well. Players go through cycles so often we do not know if their level reflects their standard abilties of if it is just temporary. 


I would venture to say my evalution sample is greater than yours in respect to Grays career. I could also break down her strengths and weaknessess but as I said before that is not the issue at hand. So I will repeat what I said in my earlier post. TVO reminds me of Chelsea Gray in college.