Looking at the 2015-2016 USC season, Jatarie played in 31 games (missing 3 in February due to illness) and averaged 13.0 minutes. It is unfair to compare her stats on a per game basis to players who logged double her minutes. Comparing players on a per minute basis produces a more accurate picture.
It is impossible to gauge the effect of missed practices and games in her overall development - she also missed 12 games due to illness/injury her freshman season. As others have noted, a full year of rehabilitation and practice is probably just what the doctor ordered.
In a fantasy world, far, far away, coaches would love to know how effectively their high-school recruits will transition to the demands of the college game. Almost every player on the floor is better than anyone they competed against in HS. Players are faster, stronger, taller and more skilled. A McD All-Star may kill it in college, or simply not pan out; you never know. With Jatarie, KA has a two-year window into this uncertain future.
What has Jatarie accomplished on the college level compared to her peers, A'ja Wilson and Alaina Coates of USC and our own Kelsey Lang and Imani Boyette? All four are successful 6'4"+ players who often played at an elite level at their positions. I would argue that this high level of competitiveness is what Karen has established as the standard at Texas, so the comparisons are justified. Other, less talented transfers have to look elsewhere.
I don't expect my Post to be a scoring machine. That would be nice, but not crucial. Jatarie is not a scoring machine (3.0 ppg and .341 fg% last year). Strong rebounding, good defense and effective inside/out passing are far more important. Also in the post, you tend to pick up a lot of fouls. A good free throw shooter can make the opponent pay. As good as Nneka was, she regressed in this area her senior year and Karen could not afford to keep her on the floor late in games.
The following table provides some insight into what we can expect.
Player Min/Game Minutes Rebounds Rebounds/Min FT% Blocks Blocks/Min
Coates 26.6 903 344 .381 .563 53 .059
Wilson 26.9 860 277 .322 .722 65 .076
White 13.0 404 93 .230 .615 5 .012
Lang 18.8 675 162 .240 .814 31 .046
Boyette 22.8 822 322 .392 .786 104 .127
We may not see another shot blocker and rebounder like Boyette for quite some time. Sedona Prince has that potential if the stars align in 2018. Clearly White is not a shot blocker. That's OK, if she can improve her foot quickness and defensive positioning she will be solid.
The most comparable player is Kelsey Lang without Kelsey's good free-throw shooting. But that skill can also be improved with practice.
The most important statistic is Karen's confidence that Jatarie has the potential to succeed Lang.
It is impossible to gauge the effect of missed practices and games in her overall development - she also missed 12 games due to illness/injury her freshman season. As others have noted, a full year of rehabilitation and practice is probably just what the doctor ordered.
In a fantasy world, far, far away, coaches would love to know how effectively their high-school recruits will transition to the demands of the college game. Almost every player on the floor is better than anyone they competed against in HS. Players are faster, stronger, taller and more skilled. A McD All-Star may kill it in college, or simply not pan out; you never know. With Jatarie, KA has a two-year window into this uncertain future.
What has Jatarie accomplished on the college level compared to her peers, A'ja Wilson and Alaina Coates of USC and our own Kelsey Lang and Imani Boyette? All four are successful 6'4"+ players who often played at an elite level at their positions. I would argue that this high level of competitiveness is what Karen has established as the standard at Texas, so the comparisons are justified. Other, less talented transfers have to look elsewhere.
I don't expect my Post to be a scoring machine. That would be nice, but not crucial. Jatarie is not a scoring machine (3.0 ppg and .341 fg% last year). Strong rebounding, good defense and effective inside/out passing are far more important. Also in the post, you tend to pick up a lot of fouls. A good free throw shooter can make the opponent pay. As good as Nneka was, she regressed in this area her senior year and Karen could not afford to keep her on the floor late in games.
The following table provides some insight into what we can expect.
Player Min/Game Minutes Rebounds Rebounds/Min FT% Blocks Blocks/Min
Coates 26.6 903 344 .381 .563 53 .059
Wilson 26.9 860 277 .322 .722 65 .076
White 13.0 404 93 .230 .615 5 .012
Lang 18.8 675 162 .240 .814 31 .046
Boyette 22.8 822 322 .392 .786 104 .127
We may not see another shot blocker and rebounder like Boyette for quite some time. Sedona Prince has that potential if the stars align in 2018. Clearly White is not a shot blocker. That's OK, if she can improve her foot quickness and defensive positioning she will be solid.
The most comparable player is Kelsey Lang without Kelsey's good free-throw shooting. But that skill can also be improved with practice.
The most important statistic is Karen's confidence that Jatarie has the potential to succeed Lang.
