Vanloo looks like a very good point guard, great passing and floor management, but her shooting is questionable. As far as I watched, she missed most of her shots.
On the draft review, looks like we are in the in-between range, very unlikely to be picked at #5, but also probably too good to last until #17. I wasn't familiar with Paopao or Sivka, but either of them sound helpful if they happened to fall. For Sivka, the question is, at what point do they decide they need actual bodies who will play in the US next summer vs. more internationals with upside.
“Citron came out on fire in Q3, starting 4-5 from deep and staying a perfect 4-4 from the line. She had 14 points and 6 rebounds alone in the second half.
The senior wing finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds and went 5-9 from deep. Hidalgo had 28 points. They are the first Notre Dame players with 25 points in a conference game since Arike Ogunbowale and Jessica Shepard did it in 2019.”
Also from what I understand, a number of draft picks, even lottery ones, get waived because there’s only so many roster spaces available, so maybe there’s a chance that the Valkyries actually get an opportunity to go after more than one of these prospects at some point post-draft?
My options for checking out the listed and discussed college players are limited (the one service I have for that, ESPN+, only seems to allow viewing of games for like, mid-majors for the most part) so I just gotta go off the info from the posts and comments here, which are very helpful nonetheless!
Really enjoying this series. Malonga is the player that most intrigued me when I was lookimg at draft projections. She COULD be amazing in a couple years ...
Also liked Citron when I looked so this was a fun installment. Thanks.
V’s draftees are playing all over the world right now.
Julie Vanloo, Temi Fagbenle, Iliana Rupert, and Cecilia Zandalasini are playing in Turkey. Monique Billings is in China. Veronica Burton and Stephanie Talbot are in Australia, Maria Conde is in the Czech Republic, Carla Leite in France, and Kate Martin in Miami.
Several (perhaps not Thorton) will play in Euroleague games on January 8., viewable on YouTube.
So I was reading the latest and I was reading your caution that many players will probably not come out this year due to the new CBA that starts next year. So, assuming that happens and the talent coming out of college this year is shallow and the talent next year will be deep, it would be a reasonable strategy to acquire and hoard as many picks in nexts years draft as possible. If all the players who could stay in school choose to then nexts years #8 pick might be more talented than this years #4 so trading this years #5 for a 6 and 12 next year might be totally worthwhile. In addition (though it's contrary to their stated goals of competing immediately) tanking a bit by not adding the #5 pick this 1st season possibly gets them a higher pick next year in a better draft. A lot paths they could take if other teams are willing. Trade #5 this year for a 10-12 this year plus a pick next year if they need players immediately (but feels like there are plenty of FAs out there if they just need to fill spots)
Just me speculating on possibilities. I am super interested to see what choices they actually make.
Betts seems amazing. For those who watch the college game closely, if she declared and were available at 5, why wouldn't we draft her? i.e. what are the concerns about her game?
Late reply, but I'd be a little concerned that she appears never to have attempted a 3 pt shot. Pretty much all the best teams in the league last year used rangier centers and five-out spacing (the exception, I guess, being Connecticut, but they are super unorthodox in a lot of other ways). I'm sure there's still a place for Betts in the league, but if you envision her as a starter you might be committing early to a style of play that seems in decline.
I'm no expert AND I haven't watched enough real games, just highlights so I am assuming both that health wasn't a concern (it seems like it is, though) and that the highlights aren't too ridiculous, but personally I think you could build an offense that took advantage of her game. You might need to make sure 3 of the other 4 were good shooters and the 4th was at least OK but she was dominant enough in the video to make teams double her in the post or give up a LOT of easy layups.
However there are a lot of caveats, including yours, and that's why I am so curious to see what actually happens.
Weird. That highlight video didn't show any injuries at all ... ;p
Yeah, assuming she comes out, injury worry makes sense. Thanks for the info (no way I'm gonna suddenly have time to watch a lot of college BB so I appreciate the assist).
Betts is back for UCLA (since 12/29 actually, it looks like) and averaging just shy of 20/10 in a tic under 30 minutes a game.
Just sayin ... ;)
I am doubtful she’ll go into the draft unless there are concerns that injury might knock her out of a high draft spot in the 2026 Draft…
I know, I know but until she announces she's staying , a fan can dream :)
All the upcoming CBK Mersin games with Rupert and possibly Thornton and ZVVZ with Conde available on the Euroleague Women app.
GALA with Vanloo and Zandalasini seems to have been eliminated.
https://www.youtube.com/live/279o1SCN9hY?si=u8H18u74XcKbIf5S
Watch Vanloo(35) and Zandalisini (24) in a Euroleague game about two weeks ago.
Vanloo looks like a very good point guard, great passing and floor management, but her shooting is questionable. As far as I watched, she missed most of her shots.
Maybe this game was an anomaly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSrgFGspmo4
Here you can watch Vanloo (35) and Zandalasini (24) play in a Euroleague game for Galatasary (GALA) in late November.
UCLA played today, but Betts was not on the floor.
On the draft review, looks like we are in the in-between range, very unlikely to be picked at #5, but also probably too good to last until #17. I wasn't familiar with Paopao or Sivka, but either of them sound helpful if they happened to fall. For Sivka, the question is, at what point do they decide they need actual bodies who will play in the US next summer vs. more internationals with upside.
EDIT: OMG I thought it was per game! I can be a little dopey lol. See ya at the games :)
______________________
Thank you for the coverage. But super bummed to learn the ticket prices:
“Prices for season tickets for our 23-game season (22 regular season games + 1 preseason game) start at $575 per seat for the season.”
Not what I expected. Does anyone happen to know what they’re planning to charge for single-game, nonpackaged tickets?
Happens to all of us!
I’m so used to Bay Area costs increasing exponentially, I couldn’t imagine something being reasonable, oy.
That’s $25 per game. Doesn’t seem bad to me…?
Important dates for Vs:
Jan. 11-20: Teams can make qualifying offers and “core” player designations.
Jan. 21: Teams can begin negotiating with free agents, but can’t formally sign any deals
Feb. 1: Players can officially sign contracts
Game today: Notre Dame 95, , UVA 54.
Review of Sonia Citron from fightingirish.com:
“Citron came out on fire in Q3, starting 4-5 from deep and staying a perfect 4-4 from the line. She had 14 points and 6 rebounds alone in the second half.
The senior wing finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds and went 5-9 from deep. Hidalgo had 28 points. They are the first Notre Dame players with 25 points in a conference game since Arike Ogunbowale and Jessica Shepard did it in 2019.”
Also from what I understand, a number of draft picks, even lottery ones, get waived because there’s only so many roster spaces available, so maybe there’s a chance that the Valkyries actually get an opportunity to go after more than one of these prospects at some point post-draft?
Yes, there’s a chance… I suspect it’s a little less this year because the expansion draft freed up some roster spots…
My options for checking out the listed and discussed college players are limited (the one service I have for that, ESPN+, only seems to allow viewing of games for like, mid-majors for the most part) so I just gotta go off the info from the posts and comments here, which are very helpful nonetheless!
Really enjoying this series. Malonga is the player that most intrigued me when I was lookimg at draft projections. She COULD be amazing in a couple years ...
Also liked Citron when I looked so this was a fun installment. Thanks.
See Sonia Citron with Notre Dame playing Sunday morning 9 AM, on ACC Network. I get this on YouTube TV.
V’s draftees are playing all over the world right now.
Julie Vanloo, Temi Fagbenle, Iliana Rupert, and Cecilia Zandalasini are playing in Turkey. Monique Billings is in China. Veronica Burton and Stephanie Talbot are in Australia, Maria Conde is in the Czech Republic, Carla Leite in France, and Kate Martin in Miami.
Several (perhaps not Thorton) will play in Euroleague games on January 8., viewable on YouTube.
More on Veronica Burton
https://www.sbnation.com/wnba/2024/12/27/24328682/expansion-draft-veronica-burton-golden-state-valkyries-connecticut-sun-wnba-explained
https://www.sbnation.com/wnba/2024/9/27/24255167/veronica-burton-connecticut-sun-indiana-fever-caitlin-clark-dallas-wings-stephanie-white
So I was reading the latest and I was reading your caution that many players will probably not come out this year due to the new CBA that starts next year. So, assuming that happens and the talent coming out of college this year is shallow and the talent next year will be deep, it would be a reasonable strategy to acquire and hoard as many picks in nexts years draft as possible. If all the players who could stay in school choose to then nexts years #8 pick might be more talented than this years #4 so trading this years #5 for a 6 and 12 next year might be totally worthwhile. In addition (though it's contrary to their stated goals of competing immediately) tanking a bit by not adding the #5 pick this 1st season possibly gets them a higher pick next year in a better draft. A lot paths they could take if other teams are willing. Trade #5 this year for a 10-12 this year plus a pick next year if they need players immediately (but feels like there are plenty of FAs out there if they just need to fill spots)
Just me speculating on possibilities. I am super interested to see what choices they actually make.
Betts seems amazing. For those who watch the college game closely, if she declared and were available at 5, why wouldn't we draft her? i.e. what are the concerns about her game?
Late reply, but I'd be a little concerned that she appears never to have attempted a 3 pt shot. Pretty much all the best teams in the league last year used rangier centers and five-out spacing (the exception, I guess, being Connecticut, but they are super unorthodox in a lot of other ways). I'm sure there's still a place for Betts in the league, but if you envision her as a starter you might be committing early to a style of play that seems in decline.
I'm no expert AND I haven't watched enough real games, just highlights so I am assuming both that health wasn't a concern (it seems like it is, though) and that the highlights aren't too ridiculous, but personally I think you could build an offense that took advantage of her game. You might need to make sure 3 of the other 4 were good shooters and the 4th was at least OK but she was dominant enough in the video to make teams double her in the post or give up a LOT of easy layups.
However there are a lot of caveats, including yours, and that's why I am so curious to see what actually happens.
Can’t watch her (recently) because she has been injured.
Yes, I think injuries and her not coming out for the draft are the main concerns...
Weird. That highlight video didn't show any injuries at all ... ;p
Yeah, assuming she comes out, injury worry makes sense. Thanks for the info (no way I'm gonna suddenly have time to watch a lot of college BB so I appreciate the assist).