Gotnext Women's Basketball Boards

mb · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:39 pm Post subject: Yuko Oga/LeCoe Willingham

From the RebKell board:
http://boards.rebkell.net/viewtopic.php?t=36647

http://boards.rebkell.net/viewtopic.php?t=36689

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1049 Location: Phoenix AZ

Quote: And technically, Oga said she is confident that she will be able to show what others don't really have in the United States.

"First off, since I'm a point guard, I want to show I can be attentive to surrounding players, as a thing that Americans don't have," Oga revealed, speaking before nearly 100 reporters.

"Americans tend to rely on individual skills and it's said that they don't really pass the ball. So contrastively I'm going to feed passes to them and I think I can give some freshness in the league with it."

methinks she'll change that opinion after she watches more games :lol:

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 2:44 am Post subject:

I'll say.
I don't know what American basketball she has been watching, but I feel pretty comfortable in saying that she's in for a rude shock!
Talking trash about a league you haven't proven yourself good enough to play in is not really the right foot to get off on, either.

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1137

I don't think her comments were intended as trash talking. I just think most of her understanding of American basketball is of the men's game and not the women's and she was trying to explain what she feels her strengths are.

My favorite line was about knowing basketball English and all she needed was a few jokes and she would be fine. I wonder if what source she is using for her jokes and if they will be clean. This says to me that she has a fun and outgoing personality which would go well with the team.

I also liked her 2.39 steal average. I realize it is in a different league but it does indicate speed. I also liked the fact that she was a shooter too.

mb · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:42 pm Post subject:

As sportsfan stated, the quote was taken out of context...she was alluding to the mens game, and perhaps not the likes of Nash, Kidd, and Chris Paul.

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1049 Location: Phoenix AZ

It's official !! :?

Quote: http://www.courant.com/sports/basketball/hc-sun0311.artmar11,0,7436821.story
March 11, 2008
Willingham Joins Mercury
Le'Coe Willingham, a restricted free agent who has been with the Connecticut Sun since 2004, has signed a two-year contract with the Phoenix Mercury after the Sun declined to match the offer.

"It was obviously a tough decision to let Le'Coe go somewhere else, but from a basketball and financial standpoint for her, it makes sense," Sun coach Mike Thibault said in a statement.

"She will have the opportunity to play a lot more minutes with a guaranteed contract in Phoenix. We just couldn't justify matching the contract. She has been an important part of our success, but sometimes there are players that need to make a move for the long term. We wish her success."

Willingham, a 6-foot reserve forward out of Auburn, averaged 2.2 points and 2 rebounds in 98 games over four years. Last season she averaged 2.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in 28 games, including five starts.

wnba.com stats http://www.wnba.com/playerfile/lecoe_willingham/index.html

wnba.com bio
2006 WNBA Season:
Third-year forward appeared in a career-high 29 games…Scored a season-high 10 points at Charlotte (6/10)…Made her first career WNBA three-pointer in that game…Finished the season 6 of 10 from behind the arc…Matched her season high with six rebounds against New York (8/1)…Had a career-high three assists twice…Had a single-season career-high 25 made field goals. In The Playoffs: Appeared in three games, averaging 3.7 minutes…Made first three-pointer of postseason career in only attempt in Game 3 of Eastern Conference Finals against Detroit…Had four rebounds and five points in 11 minutes during three Eastern Conference Final games against Detroit.
2005 WNBA Season:
Saw limited playing time this season…Scored a season-high seven points against Washington (8/26), making 3-of-5 shots with three rebounds…Appeared in first six games of the season, averaging just over six minutes per game.

2004 WNBA Season:
Appeared in final 17 games… Scored 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting at Detroit (7/21)…Had career highs with six made free throws on seven attempts in win over Indiana (9/19)…Had a career-high six rebounds at Minnesota (7/22).

Other Professional Experience:
Spent the 2006-07 offseason playing for T.E.D. Kayseri Koleji in Turkey…Played for Hapoel Haifa Motzkin in Israel in 2005-06… Spent 2004-05 offseason playing for Bnei Yehuda in Israel, where she was named Most Valuable Player of the Month.

College:
Among Auburn’s top ten career leaders in starts, points, field goals made, field goal percentage, free throws made, free throws attempted, rebounds, No. 7 scorer all-time (1,475 points) and sixth all-time rebounder (927)…Led Auburn to a 22-9 record and an appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament as a senior....Kodak/WBCA All-America finalist in the 2003-04 season... Named MVP as a senior...Three-time All-SEC (2004, 2002 and 2000)…Redshirted 2000-01 season…Named to the All-SEC freshman team...Scored a team-high 14 points in WNIT Championship win over Baylor including the game-winning shot...

PAkid103 · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:48 pm Post subject:

Quote: methinks she'll change that opinion after she watches more games

Especially after watching Miller Time

CamrnCrz1974 · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 1689 Location: Central Phoenix

Look for another signing soon...

caune · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1562 Location: Phoenix

is it that pretty post player from NY?

CamrnCrz1974 · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 1689 Location: Central Phoenix

caune wrote: is it that pretty post player from NY?

Well, it isn't Kym Hampton...

:D

caune · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1562 Location: Phoenix

come on, I'm sure we have a letter Kym can open :wink:

mb · Posted: Sat May 24, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject:

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20080524TDY24302.htm

Short article on Yuko Oga...a good read.

.

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1137

Yuko's parents were at the game on Thursday. I don't think they are staying long but may be back later in the season.

I like what I see with her. She had a couple of turnovers the other night that could have been avoided but once she gets used to the speed of the WNBA she will be better.