[81alum]

I would be delighted if Kailee came on strong.  I have noticed that there are basically three types of players at Stanford. 

1) A small number are gifted and mature in basketball even as frosh and play or even start for all four years.  Lili, Kaylee seem to fit that bill, as did the Ogwumikes, Kayla, Jeanette, etc. 

2)A few never seem to be able to make in-game contributions.  Tara acknowledges that they do help the team, sometimes substantially, in practice.  I'm afraid Tess may be fitting into this category.  E Payne, Jasmine Camp, Grace Mashore, Ashley Cimino, etc.

3) And then there are those like Ruef who improve substantially over their years and wind up being much, much better as seniors than they were as frosh.  Tinkle, Mel Murphy, Sara James, Bonnie, etc.  I think these are the players that had talent but it was very very rough to start, probably because they did not play against quality competition in high school or on the various USA teams and they need to relearn the game.  These are actually the kids that benefit the most from Tara, since they are educable and learn by being on the team.

I suppose there is a fourth category--kids who have constant injury issues and never are able to fulfill their potential.  Boy do I know about that in my own family.  Sara, Toni, Beebe, etc. had their careers cut short or hampered.  Here is hoping that Karli and Kailee escape that distinction.

I suspect Kailee fits into category 3.  Junior year would be a good time to excel.  Ruef did not really break through until her fourth year--after a redshirt year.

I am hoping that Alanna and Marta fit into category 1, simply because we need them so much!

[81alum]

I would be delighted if Kailee came on strong.  I have noticed that there are basically three types of players at Stanford. 

1) A small number are gifted and mature in basketball even as frosh and play or even start for all four years.  Lili, Kaylee seem to fit that bill, as did the Ogwumikes, Kayla, Jeanette, etc. 

2)A few never seem to be able to make in-game contributions.  Tara acknowledges that they do help the team, sometimes substantially, in practice.  I'm afraid Tess may be fitting into this category.  E Payne, Jasmine Camp, Grace Mashore, Ashley Cimino, etc.

3) And then there are those like Ruef who improve substantially over their years and wind up being much, much better as seniors than they were as frosh.  Tinkle, Mel Murphy, Sara James, Bonnie, etc.  I think these are the players that had talent but it was very very rough to start, probably because they did not play against quality competition in high school or on the various USA teams and they need to relearn the game.  These are actually the kids that benefit the most from Tara, since they are educable and learn by being on the team.

I suppose there is a fourth category--kids who have constant injury issues and never are able to fulfill their potential.  Boy do I know about that in my own family.  Sara, Toni, Beebe, etc. had their careers cut short or hampered.  Here is hoping that Karli and Kailee escape that distinction.

I suspect Kailee fits into category 3.  Junior year would be a good time to excel.  Ruef did not really break through until her fourth year--after a redshirt year.

I am hoping that Alanna and Marta fit into category 1, simply because we need them so much!