FILM ROOM: Amelia Hassett's fundamentals allow her to take over games

PStevensKSR

Welcome to KSR’s fifth edition of the Film Room series, a weekly series where we’ll be taking a look at each player on Kentucky’s 2024-25 roster and breaking down their film. This go around, we take a look at Eastern Florida State College (JUCO) transfer forward Amelia Hassett.

You can also view our other Film Room breakdowns by clicking below.

When Hassett committed to Kentucky, it was quickly clear what she’d bring to the table. As a stretch four, she can be dangerous in a Kenny Brooks offense. When someone such as Georgia Amoore is conducting the offense, shooters like Hassett are destined to thrive. Last season, Hassett averaged 19.0 points on 54.5% shooting from the field, including 40.4% from three-point range. Along with that, she grabbed 12.7 rebounds per game, finishing with 20 double-doubles.

She’s just an all-around great ball player.

Making the right plays on offense

When KSR interviewed Hassett’s JUCO coach, MJ Baker, one of the things Baker praised was how fundamentally sound she is, and you can see it in her game. On offense, it seems like Hassett always knows what plays to make. Whether it’s shooting, passing, or whatever it may be, Hassett seems to always be one step ahead of the defense.

Being the star of the team, defenses always keyed in on Hassett. That allows her to take on the role of being a playmaker and setting up teammates. However, if the defense tries to adjust to that and loses focus on Hassett, then she can make them pay by scoring.

She also just seems to be able to effortlessly read defenses and find the open spaces on the floor. In the SEC, Hassett may not be the priority of opposing teams’ scouting reports, but she can certainly be a weapon in Kentucky’s offense.

Getting after it on the boards

Regardless of whatever talent Hassett has or doesn’t have compared to her future competition, what she will have on her side is her tenacity on the boards.

As a forward, it may seem like it’s almost a given for Hassett to box out, find the ball, and go after it, but you don’t always see that in today’s game. Again, her fundamentals allow her to have a high success rate when fighting for a rebound. Almost immediately when the ball hits the rim, she finds the nearest defender and gets leverage for the rebound.

Then, she’s willing to actually chase after rebounds too instead of watching it bounce back to the perimeter where the offense has a much better chance at getting the ball back. Plus, it’s not like Hassett will do this through one quarter or just during the first half. Even in the later stages of the game when everyone is tired, Hassett still goes 110% after rebounds, and that leads to more offensive possessions in the end.

Consistently knocking down the three

Lastly, we have what separates Hassett from the rest of the pack when it comes to her vs. most JUCO bigs: her three-point shooting.

Numbers don’t lie. She shot over 40% from deep last season, and that really encapsulates just how good of a shooter she really is. Of course, Hassett can knock down the open shots, but she can also find the bottom of the net with a hand in her face. The defense doesn’t seem to phase her a ton, which is impressive in itself.

Additionally, Hassett has the ability to change up the pace of her shot without throwing it off too much. If she’s wide open, she’ll oftentimes gather herself and then take the shot. Then, when defenders are closing in on her, she can get it off quickly too. Her consistent shooting will allow her to play a big-time role next season for the ‘Cats.