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3 shooting stars lead UCLA women’s basketball on path to March Madness glory
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- 3 shooting stars lead UCLA women’s basketball on path to March Madness glory
UCLA stars Gianna Kneepkens, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki RIce
The first rule of the 50-40-90 club is you don't talk about the 50-40-90 club.
It's not so much a matter of jinxing membership in such an exclusive group as it is focusing on something more important.
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Making the right play to help the UCLA women's basketball team win.
UCLA's Gianna Kneepkens (8) appears to be a lock to join the exclusive 50-40-90 club this season. AP
Nationwide, there's only a handful of players on the verge of joining this elite club, which requires shooting 50% from the field, 40% from 3-point range and 90% on free throws.
The Bruins could have three members.
Gianna Kneepkens is practically a lock. The player known as "G Money" is making 51.8% of her shots, 44.2% of her 3-pointers and 95.2% of her free throws heading into the top-seeded Bruins' NCAA Tournament opener against Cal Baptist on Saturday evening at Pauley Pavilion .
Gabriela Jaquez could get there as well. She's making 54.3% of her shots, 41.1% of her 3-pointers and 86.7% of her free throws.
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Kiki Rice has an outside chance. She's making 50.3% of her shots, 38.1% of her 3-pointers and 89.1% of her free throws.
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Don't expect any of them to discuss their shooting prowess unless asked.
"We don't really talk about it, if I'm being honest," Kneepkens told The California Post. "I think it's just cool because I think the biggest thing for all three of us is that we just want to make the right plays."
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It's not hyperbole to call this a historic achievement. Madeline Poteet is the only 50-40-90 player in school history, and she did it on limited shooting volume during the 2014-15 season while averaging only 2.1 points per game.
UCLA's Gabriela Jaquez is making 54.3% of her shots, 41.1% of her 3-pointers and 86.7% of her free throws. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
By comparison, Kneepkens, Jaquez and Rice are each double-digit scorers who help carry their team. Their success has been sparked in part by having so many prolific shooters on the same team, along with dominant post players in Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalic.
"They have to be double-teamed," Jaquez said, "and that's also why I think we can be so efficient because all of the 3s that we're shooting, for the most part, are wide open. Lauren throws a kick-out or Ang, we're in a very good position to shoot."
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Other critical factors in their uncanny accuracy are repetition, occasional mechanical tweaks and confidence. Spending so much time in the gym working on their form gives each of them the belief that every shot that leaves their hands is going in.
Other critical factors in their uncanny accuracy are repetition, occasional mechanical tweaks and confidence. Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
"Those three," UCLA coach Cori Close said, "there's no shortcuts."
Close compared Kneepkens to Lakers star Luka Doncic because of their craftiness in beating defenders.
"If you had a race," Close said, "neither Gianna or Luka would win, but they use change of pace and shiftiness and creativity and basketball IQ to be such creative scorers."
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Close called Rice the most explosive and athletic of the trio but said that Jaquez might get her shot off the fastest.
"In terms of shot pocket — we should time them, actually," Close said, "but I would bet Gabs gets it from inner hand to outer hands, I bet she's the quickest."
What impresses Close the most about Rice and Jaquez is their improvement. As freshmen, Rice made only 21.7% of her 3-pointers and Jaquez just 63.2% of her free throws.
How did they get from those numbers to where they are now?
"A lot of moments in the gym right here," Rice said while standing in the team's practice facility. "Late nights, early mornings — Coach T (Tasha Brown) has worked a ton with me the past few years on figuring out ways to get better each season."
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Before she arrived in Westwood prior to this season, Kneepkens used to have her mom grab rebounds during epic shooting sessions the night before games. Now she has managers and men's practice players to do that for her.
"Her mom said she's getting out of shape," Close joked, "because we're giving her too many resources."
UCLA's Kiki Rice (1) has a good chance to join the 50-40-90 club this season. AP
Hitting the 90% threshold on free throws might be the hardest part of qualifying for the 50-40-90 club.
"You don't shoot as many free throws as you do 3s and field goals in general," Rice said. "You miss one, it hurts you a lot."
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Rice needs to make six straight free throws to reach 90% with the benefit of rounding. Her coach ensures she's getting enough repetition by having the Bruins shoot free throws sporadically throughout practice. Additionally, each player must make 10 in a row before leaving the gym.
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That doesn't usually take Kneepkens long.
"I mean, it usually takes one or two tries," said a player who has made 40 of 42 free throws this season.
Part of not talking about their shooting stats is not knowing them — all three players say they don't look at them during the season.
"I just try to play my best," Kneepkens said, "and take great shots and make great passes."
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A selfless style that emphasizes getting teammates the ball in their favorite spots on the court — Jaquez likes corner 3s in transition, Kneepkens prefers the wing or the slot — has helped put this team on the verge of history.
Yes, the Bruins could have three 50-40-90 players, but the only history they care about is winning the team's first NCAA championship. Shooting stats?
"Nobody cares," Close said. "Not talked about at all, and I think that's what's really cool about our team."
