UConn banking on NelsonOdoda
Huskies count on sophomore making big jump this season
STORRS — Olivia Nelson-Ododa isn’t oblivious to the pressure that comes with playing for 11time national champion UConn.
“In this program, there’s always pressure,” she said last month. “But it’s good pressure.”
That NelsonOdoda embraces that pressure rather than runs from it is essential for the Huskies, who are counting on her to make a seismic jump this season.
While she doesn’t have Crystal Dangerfield’s court vision, Christyn Williams’ explosive first step, or Megan Walker’s versatility, NelsonOdoda is 6foot5. To a team lacking size, her presence is paramount.
“I would say that Liv is probably the most important player on our team right now,” coach Geno Auriemma said following an exhibition win over Division II Jefferson on Sunday. “She’s the only one that you can’t replace, no matter what. The other guys are hard to replace, but she’s impossible to replace.”
The Huskies need NelsonOdoda, a former top5 recruit, to go from inconsistent freshman to intimidating sophomore. They need more than the 4.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks that she averaged off the bench during the 201819 campaign.
“She’s going to have to play, and play a lot, and do a lot for us,” Auriemma said.
NelsonOdoda showed glimpses of her potential during last year’s American Athletic Conference tournament. Starting in place of an injured Katie Lou Samuelson, she pulled down 32 rebounds and blocked seven shots over a threegame stretch.
She dedicated her offseason to getting stronger and improving her allaround game, knowing she was penciled in to start the season at center. She spent most of June and July on campus, taking classes while also hitting the gym. Then in September, she helped the U.S. national team win a gold medal at the FIBA AmeriCup in Puerto Rico.
“Liv has grown a lot,” Williams said. “She put in a lot of work this summer. … She practiced a lot — you can definitely tell. She’s shooting 3s now.”
NelsonOdoda was dominant on Sunday, albeit against an inferior opponent. She recorded 16 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks and four steals in 21 minutes. UConn will close out the exhibition schedule Wednesday (7 p.m.) at the XL Center against Division II Trevecca Nazarene.
“When Olivia’s in the game and she’s on top of her game — that’s a lot — our defense can be pretty good. She’s pretty good at protecting the basket,” Auriemma said.
With that said, Auriemma doesn’t want that responsibility to fall solely on NelsonOdoda’s shoulders. He’s looking for the players in front of her to do their jobs as well.
“It’s a doubleedged sword. When your big guy has to block a lot of shots, that means a lot of guys got beat,” he said.
More accolades: Dangerfield and Williams were among 30 players named to the preseason watch list for the John R. Wooden Award, which honors the most outstanding player in women’s basketball.
UConn is one of five schools with multiple players on the list. Oregon and Baylor have the most with three apiece.
Transfer news: ExUConn guard Mikayla Coombs, who transferred to Georgia in April, had her eligibility waiver denied by the NCAA on Tuesday. Coach Joni Taylor said the school plans to appeal the decision.
Coombs, a former McDonald’s AllAmerican, averaged only 1.0 point over 56 games with the Huskies.