While it’s not as simple as a one-for-one swap, the UCLA Bruins will be giving a lot of Londynn Jones’ minutes from a season ago to Gianna Kneepkens, a transfer from Utah who could end up as a better fit for the Bruins.
Jones left UCLA to join the USC Trojans and while that’s compelling in of itself, it’ll be just as interesting to see how Kneepens fills the void left at the off-guard position.
“UCLA, predominantly, wanted to use her as a catch and shooter,” USC Women’s Basketball Media Lab analyst Cece Clay said. “There’s so much more to Londynn Jones’ game than just a catch and three shooter. That’s why Kneepkens will probably be a better fit.”
Kneepkens is definitely a three-point shooter. She’s shot 43.2% from three in her career while taking 5.5 threes per game over 104 collegiate games. Last year, Kneepkens’ three point percentage was up to 44.8% on nearly seven attempts per game and that spacing will make it harder for teams to throw multiple bodies at Lauren Betts in the low post.
“I’m not trying to be rude, I’m not trying to be mean but that’s all Kneepkens can do,” Clay said of Kneepkens’ three point shooting. “That fits more with UCLA’s style of ball.”
Jones had a memorable UCLA career, playing 108 games for the Bruins but she wasn’t as knock down from distance, hitting 35.8% of her three point attempts in her career. Jones also stood at just 5’4” which limited her defensive potential. Kneepkens won’t be a lockdown defender either, but at 5’11” she’ll have a bit more length on the perimeter of the Bruins’ defense.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Is the Gianna Kneepkens-for-Londynn Jones swap going to bear fruit for UCLA?
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
