Utah transfer Gianna Kneepkens had a relatively quiet UCLA Bruins debut on Monday against San Diego State. Kneepkens went just 4-12 from the field and 1-7 from three, but UCLA basketball head coach Cori Close noticed the difference she made on the court even with her threes not falling at a clip she’s used to.
Kneepkens’ shooting ability drastically increases the square footage that opposing defenses are forced to play. She’s played 105 career college games and she’s shooting 42.9% from three, she shot 44.8% last year with the Utes and she’s likely to get even better looks this season with the Bruins.
Kneepkens was the the No. 1 option for Utah, for UCLA she may the No. 3 or No. 4 option, which should result in higher quality shots and less defensive focus on the 6’0” senior.
UCLA center Lauren Betts sees as many double-teams as any player in college basketball but teams can’t leave Kneepkens, which will result in Betts getting more one-on-one chances to go at defenders.
“She didn’t have a good shooting night for her. She was one of the only 50/40/90 club players in the country last year,” Close said. “Just her being out on the floor changes the spacing of defense.”
While Kneepkens’ shot wasn’t falling on Monday, she did other things that helped her be a +25 in the game. She grabbed seven rebounds, had three assists and two blocks in her 32 minutes.
“She made a lot of winning plays that go beyond the way she shot the ball,” Close said on Kneepkens. “I know her well enough that she can be pretty hard on herself about shooting because she puts so much time in but she’s so much more than a shooter.”
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Gianna Kneepkens’ shot wasn’t falling on Monday, but UCLA still felt her presence
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
