Not Looking Back, Centers Move Forward

Few embodied the spirit of Boston College's basketball renaissance better than Emma Guy. She worked herself from a bench player into consistent starter before battling injury adversities. She fought her way back to the court and underwent a transformation under head coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee, and she finished her career as the indomitable centerpiece of a potential NCAA Tournament team before embarking on a professional career in Greece as a 1,000-point scorer.

The Eagles will feel her absence this year for both her leadership and skill, and the necessary move into the future asks a natural question of how to replace both her and fellow graduate Georgia Pineau. BC isn't necessarily trying to replace either, though, and instead are looking to evolve their style by remaining fluid with new centers capable of creating another brand of offense.

"We're going to have some surprises in players like Clara Ford," McNamee said of the center position. "(She) had restricted minutes behind a great player, but this is her time to shine. Akunna Konkwo (also) hasn't been seen because of her Achilles' tear (last season), and she has agility and size."

Individual players can force an offense to adapt its style, but it requires full understanding of the player profiles they replace. Guy was a First-Team All-ACC selection and won Eagle of the Year honors at BC last year because she could body large players with sheer grit and toughness. She played through searing pain but ran the offense with fearless scoring opportunities in the post.

Opponents couldn't stop that offense and further failed to adapt when Pineau subbed in for Guy. The Australian product played a perfect complement with her back to the basket but played intelligent basketball with her passing and face-up jumpers. She likewise recorded her 1,000th career point last season before graduating to a professional career in her native homeland.

Neither Ford nor Konkwo necessarily play either's style, but the BC offense can tweak to their unique, individual skills. Ford played limited minutes but appeared in 20 games last season, and she owned the rim in flashes. She rebounded and drove to the charity stripe and was particularly dominant in grabbing five boards against Holy Cross and four against Delaware State. She additionally hit 6-of-8 free throws against the Hornets while challenging teammates in practice with a cerebral, intelligent style.

Konkwo, meanwhile, graduated Bishop Ireton High School in Virginia as the all-time leader in both points and rebounds. She scored 2,345 points and grabbed 1,800 boards over her career but averaged 18 points and 20 rebounds per game as a senior. She scored in double figures 29 times that season and earned Washington Catholic Athletic Conference First Team honors four different times with three All-State honors. She missed her freshman season last year at BC, however, with a torn Achilles tendon.

"Akunna has definitely understood what it takes to be a great player on our team," McNamee said, "but Clara really put in time this summer to improve her strength. Those two players (both) are going to work really hard to maintain the success we had down low. They're smart, and Emma taught them well. Watching a great player like Emma really improved their IQ on the floor and the grit they know we have to have. The (center) is a really vital part of our offense and more than just a rim protector, and they're doing a really good job."

BC will soften its landing from graduating stars by developing around new players, and the continuity is the challenge for the program's culture and infrastructure. Assistant coach Yolanda Griffith is arguably the greatest center in American basketball history and a former WNBA MVP and WNBA Finals MVP. She was an eight-time WNBA All-Star and two-time rebounding champion, and in 2011, she was named one of the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time.

Griffith is a women's basketball icon and twice won gold medals with the United States national team, and she was instrumental to the development of the post play over the last two seasons.

"Coach Yo pours herself into the post players and makes herself available to them," McNamee said. "We're very fortunate that we have players who are willing to take advantage of her. They're in her office watching film, and (they) catch her before and after practice for an extra 15-20 minutes to work on back-to-the-basket moves. She does a really nice job teaching them the tricks of the trade, and who better to (learn) from than one of the best of all time?

"Yolanda really brings that presence," McNamee added, "and she has that fun factor to get them to enjoy the grind of their job."

Boston College will tip off its 2020-2021 season against New Hampshire, at noon on Wednesday, November 25. The game can be watched on ACC Network Extra.

Players Mentioned

Clara Ford

Emma Guy

Akunna Konkwo

Georgia Pineau

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