Just a quick recap of the teleconference from Coach Jeff Walz, he covered a plethora of different topics and multiple players.
Coach started off with an academic update on the team, stating that the team finished the year as well as any team he’s had over his 13 years at Louisville. Most of the incoming class have finished their semester and Louisville is just waiting on their final transcripts and paperwork. Hailey Van Lith is the only player who hasn’t completed her semester. Her school usually runs a little longer than others.
On Kylee Shook and Jazmine Jones:
“It’s an anxious week and half” for both players. WNBA teams are trying to cut their team roster down to 12, so that players can get paid as on June 1st. Drafted players would be possibly be getting cut without a chance to compete in training camps or workouts.
Coaching Staff:
Senior Performance Coach Katie Jones and Associate Strength and Conditioning Coach Beth Burns have done “a wonderful job of putting together a workout plan suited for each player based on what they have at home.”
Vacant Scholarships:
Coach Walz and staff doesn’t have any plans to fill the two recent scholarship openings left by transfers Lindsey Duvall and Seygan Robins this coming year. Coach Walz doesn’t anticipate any other player transferring this year.
Scheduled Games:
Luckily for Louisville, most of the non-conference games were just a few hour bus rides away. Games at WKU, in Cincinnati, and a game vs Valpo at Genesis Convention Center in Gary, Indiana. Dana Evans is from Gary. So, this will be a great way for her to play a game in her hometown in front of her family and friends.
Louisville only has one away game that requires traveling via flight and it is a game vs TCU in Dallas. The UConn game in New York has been postponed.
In the following season, Louisville plans to travel to Washington and California for Hailey Van Lith and Kianna Smith respectively.
Current Players:
Current team is doing a remarkable job of doing what they can at home.
Kianna Smith is very skilled. She has the ability to play 1 through 4 per coach Walz. She has “great court vision and is a great passer.” “We could throw out a four guard lineup with Ahlana, Hailey, Kianna and Dana.”
Nyah Green “is in the best shape I’ve seen her in.” She will be needed to play some 4 (power forward). Green is a good passer and can be a trail 4.
Ramani Parker “will remind people of Kylee Shook her freshman year, but more skilled.” She can block shots and shoot the three ball and has excellent timing.
On Louisville’s Depth:
“No one is going to need to score 25 points.” The depth is going to make this team good.
Coach Walz’s All-Time Starting 5:
Monique Reid, Asia Durr, Shoni Schimmel, Angel McCoughtry, and Myisha Hines-Allen. “We’ve had some special players come through this program. “
