Welcome to the tenth installment of KSR’s Film Room series, a weekly series where we look at every player on Kentucky’s 2024-25 roster and analyze their film. For the past two weeks, we’ve analyzed what the rookies will bring to the table, and we’re staying on that path by looking at some of the Lexi Blue‘s band.
You can also check out our other movie room breakdowns by clicking below.
Blue is Kentucky’s highest-rated freshman and the No. 40 prospect for the class of 2024 (according to ESPN/Hoopgurlz) and she certainly justifies those rankings with her play. Blue is naturally very gifted on offense. She is an excellent three-point shooter and her length and size allow her to score from deep as well. On defense, she can defend multiple positions and, similar to Tanah BeckerBlue is characterized by the transition.
Consistently defeat the three
If you haven’t figured it out yet, Kenny Brooks like Shooter, and Lexi Blue can do just that.
Blue is perhaps the best pure shooter on this team, and if she’s not at the top, she’s certainly up there. In high school, Blue could just find her spot on the perimeter and go for it. Of course, at the college level, the defense will be much better, so Blue will have to find ways to create space.
Luckily, she is surrounded by countless other shooters and offensive players, so there will be moments this season where Blue terrorizes teams from beyond the three-point line.
Cause disruption to enemy guards
When you play on the wing position, you usually have to be versatile, not only as a goal scorer but also in defense. You have to be able to mark the players who should be bigger and stronger than you, but you also have to be able to mark the players who are a little smaller and faster than you.
Blue does a good job of not getting out of control on defense. When an opposing ball carrier tries to catch her off guard, she rarely gets upset. Most of the time, she stays calm and plays with discipline.
And because Blue is 6’1″, she can actually play quite a bit of defense in the post. While she won’t have to play against a traditional back-to-the-basket big, she can hold her own if someone is coming at her.
Attacking the basket in transition
Playing fast may seem like a kind of identity – something a team can use strategically to control the pace of the game, which is true in most cases. However, there will be many situations where the momentum of the game is either not in your favor or at least not going at your ideal pace. The point is, you simply have to be ready to play fast at all times, especially in the SEC.
Points are hard to come by in the SEC, and getting them in transition is a huge advantage. This is another reason why you always have to be ready for a track and field competition.
Not only does Blue do an excellent job of running out and rushing in transition, but she also makes it a point to attack the basket. When a player of Blue’s stature is driving toward the basket at full speed, she is not easy to stop.
