Why Jessi Nenonen is a Standout in Nordic Championships?
Why pick out just one player?
Really – basketball is a team sport and as such – it always feels a bit strange to lift out a single player – and there are many players in this tournament I could write about in the same way.
But – being from Finland – having seen this team play… it was my choice for now.
I could easily have chosen an Icelandic player, Swedish player… but having the little connection to Finland.. made a Finnish player the easy choice.
One of the stand out players in WU18 Nordic’s – so what makes Jessi such a good player?
As those who read this website know, I am not one to analyse players skills or tactics – but I would like to think that I know when someone is playing well….
One such player in Södertälje is Finland’s Jessi Nenonen .. so I asked around for opinions on what makes her the players she is and how could you stop her in a game?
One person commented : ” She is a fantastic athlete, quick & strong technically very sound a smart player who makes good decisions consistently and is aware of her own limits so she plays with composure, doesn’t force plays. “
Another added : ” Jessi has a numerous skills and strengths and has a solid background – her enthusiasm and energy is definitely something that she has drawn from to become the player she is today. *
Opposition player commented : ” You know you are going to have your hands full when you guard her, she can shoot the ball from almost anywhere on the court, and when she is defending you – you know you have to guard the ball well as she has quick hands and is able to steal the ball from you. “
More comments from the field : ” Jessi is an exceptionally good athlete with an energy levels that are really high and her ability to play is on high level. She is hard working, dedicated , enthusiastic and has the right amount of playfulness in her – and she really gets fired up for tournaments and games like this. “
Asked how would go and try to stop her in a game, this was the answer from one : ” I know if I had to play against her, I would have to do everything possible to try and get inside her head and break that ice cold calm exterior and of course try to do everything possible to keep the ball out of her hands in the first place. If you were guarding her in a game and you don’t foul out then you haven’t been working hard enough! “
Another player who faced Jessi in the tournament added : ” Jessi is a player you both want to play against, but do not want to play against. It is always good to test yourself against good players, and with Jessi you know you can’t let your guard down at any moment during the game. “
Jessi Nenonen stats WU18 Nordic’s 2025
Games played : 3 out of 5
- Points scored : 65
- Minutes per game : 20.9
- Points per game : 21.7
- Defensive Rebounds (per game) : 2
- Offensive Rebounds (per game) : 1
- Assists (per game) : 3
- Steals (per game) : 5
- Blocked shots (per game) : 1
- 2 point percentage : 67.6
- 3 point percentage : 41.7
- Free Throw percentage : 44.4
So, there we go – players and coaches and others shared their thoughts – and those of us in Södertälje .. we still get to enjoy two more days of action before we all head to celebrate midsummers in our cabins in the woods, mountains, by the lake…
2 Comments