MOVIE THEATER: Clara Strack does everything in post-production

Welcome to the third edition of KSR’s Film Room series, a weekly series in which we’ll take a look at each player on Kentucky’s 2024-25 roster and analyze their film. This time, we take a look at the former Virginia Tech Hokie Clara Strack.

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As a freshman last season, Strack averaged 4.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, playing behind Elizabeth Kitley, one of Blacksburg’s top players. However, late in the season, Kitley suffered a torn ACL, an injury that kept her out of the NCAA Tournament. That’s where Strack shined. She averaged 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in the Hokies’ back-to-back games in the Big Dance.

Making opposing scorers uncomfortable around the rim

One of the most underrated aspects of Clara Strack’s game is her ability to be a rock on defense. Sure, she’s a great scorer and rebounder, but when it comes to stopping baskets in the paint, Strack is elite.

Even if she can’t block the shot (which she often does), she does just enough to deny it and force a miss. Players who like to drive the ball find themselves facing six-foot-tall players who say, “I don’t think so!” Strack seems to be able to read the guards’ movements, the maneuvers they use to get past big guys in general. So when someone drives the ball and takes a step, Strack is there to force them to miss.

She’s like a barrier in the paint. You see players come down and all of a sudden their momentum is stopped and it often forces a bad shot attempt. That’s helpful when you’re one of the tallest players on the court, but Strack also has to be smart and quick enough to make the play, which she is.

Have a soft touch around the basket

This is where Strack could be called “Baby Kitley.” You can see her poised with the ball in her hands. It almost looks like the game is slowing down for her, which is very impressive considering she was a freshman last season playing in the NCAA tournament. Perhaps the easiest way to tell is by the way she finishes around the basket.

Like Kitley, Strack has a very soft touch from deep. Players often rush and miss an easy basket, but instead, Strack keeps her composure and scores. She just knows how to finish in the paint.

Additionally, she has excellent footwork that allows her to create a better opportunity for herself. If she can sense or feel the defender on one side, she pivots or moves to the other side. If necessary, she can back him up right under the basket. Again, like Kitley, Strack is an expert at working deep. She could probably do it blindfolded.

Intervene when it matters most

How many freshmen in college basketball have the “clutch gene”? Maybe Anthony Davis in 2012 ? Malik Monk in 2017? There aren’t many, but Strack is one of them. The pressure on her to excel in Kitley’s absence in the NCAA tournament could have been overwhelming. If anything, it seemed to be motivation, more than anything.

Against Marshall in the first round, Strack did what she was supposed to do: dominate the small competition. Her 17 points, five rebounds and four blocks, while shooting 7-7 from the field, were about what you’d expect from a talented player like Strack. However, she stepped up against Baylor in the second round, scoring 18 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and stopping two shots.

Then, as we’ve already discussed, Strack manages to remain calm and collected, even in crucial moments. When the team desperately needed a basket in the fourth quarter, Strack stepped up to the plate. Will Kentucky get back the same player who averaged 17.5 points in the NCAA tournament? We’ll see. What we do know is that Kentucky is getting back a young player who plays like she’s a fifth-year senior, and that alone is huge going forward.