2025 Transfer wish list | Page 4 | The Boneyard

2025 Transfer wish list

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Zonepress said:
wish i was articulate enough to have written
this post!!
BRAVO!!!
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I'm sure Allie is a super person. With that said, if Allie had all the tools to play big-time college basketball Geno would have put her on the floor. I'm sure the UConn staff is providing all the resources and guidance to help her realize her dream but she is the one that needs to put in the work and there's no obligation to hold a spot open for her to "develop" in the interim. We all know that a high HS rating does not guarantee great success at the level that UConn plays (we can all think of several recent examples). UConn's practice of short-term "plugs" while hoping people like Allie can make the jump to the next level is wise and fair to recruits. Hoping Allie is capable of improving her fitness to top D1 level (I assume that is part of the challenge to play great defence).
 
Heytherego said:
UConn is pretty high in the mix for Kayleigh Heckel (USC) according to Skim Mulkey’s discord which is usually pretty accurate.
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UConn just saw Kayleigh up close a couple of weeks ago. Including a fair amount of scouting for game prep. If UConn is interested, something must have really grabbed their attention.
 
MHD789 said:
I'm sure Allie is a super person. With that said, if Allie had all the tools to play big-time college basketball Geno would have put her on the floor. I'm sure the UConn staff is providing all the resources and guidance to help her realize her dream but she is the one that needs to put in the work and there's no obligation to hold a spot open for her to "develop" in the interim. We all know that a high HS rating does not guarantee great success at the level that UConn plays (we can all think of several recent examples). UConn's practice of short-term "plugs" while hoping people like Allie can make the jump to the next level is wise and fair to recruits. Hoping Allie is capable of improving her fitness to top D1 level (I assume that is part of the challenge to play great defence).
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I went back and read the reference note # 53 (above in this thread). I read it as
a ++ report on Allie Ziebell potential. I see no clear reason for
the comment by MHD789 of "holding a spot open for her" and that she "she is
the one who needs to put in the work"? This is a way rumors get
started and propagated. If there is NO EVIDENCE, then IMHO, there
should be NO COMMENTS. BTY... We should all recall the well
documented story of ALLIE shooting 100,000 practice shots during
her summers of H.S. when the H.S. coach challenged every team member to do
10,000. That is hardly the story of a player not willing to "put in the work".
(Again, this is "IMHO"!)!!!!...Go ALLIE... shoot the lights out next year!
 
maple said:
This surprises me a little. I was just watching something yesterday where someone mentioned all her ties are to SCar and there was no reason for her to leave. Guess not …
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Yeah she is from Columbia. Lots of surprised folks down here.
 
MHD789 said:
I'm sure Allie is a super person. With that said, if Allie had all the tools to play big-time college basketball Geno would have put her on the floor. I'm sure the UConn staff is providing all the resources and guidance to help her realize her dream but she is the one that needs to put in the work and there's no obligation to hold a spot open for her to "develop" in the interim. We all know that a high HS rating does not guarantee great success at the level that UConn plays (we can all think of several recent examples). UConn's practice of short-term "plugs" while hoping people like Allie can make the jump to the next level is wise and fair to recruits. Hoping Allie is capable of improving her fitness to top D1 level (I assume that is part of the challenge to play great defence).
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Honestly none of us know what goes on behind the scenes and what Allie expected coming in to UConn. I think it’s extremely unfair to speculate about her work ethic or act like she’s just taking up space on the team.
 
Zarathustra said:
Any BONEYARD thoughts on JERSEY WOLFENBARGER, 6'5"
guard/ wing / center (take your pick). Jersey is now in
the Transfer Portal. She is a rising senior after two years
at Arkansas and one year at LSU (where Kim worked
to develop her as a backup center). Note: She originally
was GUARD in H.S. before she grew something like 7??
inches during her late H.S. years. Tall, trained at LSU
as a potential "C" with a h/o " handles (well maybe in H.S.),
and ball handling skills (I've seen the H.S. highlight tapes).
Do you we know a program which might be interested
in such a talent for one year? At least as a backup plan to SERAH?
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« Trained at LSU”?
 
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maple said:
Honestly none of us know what goes on behind the scenes and what Allie expected coming in to UConn. I think it’s extremely unfair to speculate about her work ethic or act like she’s just taking up space on the team.
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I am fully expecting Allie to make the sophomore jump! I think we are going to appreciate her outside shooting skills next year!
 
MHD789 said:
I'm sure Allie is a super person. With that said, if Allie had all the tools to play big-time college basketball Geno would have put her on the floor. I'm sure the UConn staff is providing all the resources and guidance to help her realize her dream but she is the one that needs to put in the work and there's no obligation to hold a spot open for her to "develop" in the interim. We all know that a high HS rating does not guarantee great success at the level that UConn plays (we can all think of several recent examples). UConn's practice of short-term "plugs" while hoping people like Allie can make the jump to the next level is wise and fair to recruits. Hoping Allie is capable of improving her fitness to top D1 level (I assume that is part of the challenge to play great defence).
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Imo, we can make at least 4 fair statements about Allie:
  • (1) Allie was not part of the 9-starter-level-basketball-players in peak postseason-form (new Geno blueprint) in this recent championship run;
  • (2) Geno said he sees two types of UConn freshmen — rare players like Sarah who are UConn-ready as Athena-sprung-from-the-head-of-Zeus and other players who need seasoning in UConn’s practice-driven farm system; Allie is unlike Sarah in being UConn-ready as a freshman, but, then again, very few are like Sarah;
  • (3) The coaching staff said Allie “does not miss” in practice; so, for Allie’s core competency as a shooter, the coaching staff sees potential in Allie as a future peak postseason rotation player;
  • (4) Towards the end of the regular season, Geno used Allie as the point guard in some possessions; I’ve commented earlier that there are shades of Maria Conlon in Allie (a complement) as she may be used by Geno as part of KK’s backup point guard platoon next season, especially in the tough OOC schedule when Kellis is still getting her sea legs while Morgan is recovering from injury.
It is an absurd leap from (1)-(4) into a statement effectively implying that Allie is unengaged, perhaps overrated, and underperforming scholly-taker.
  • What makes your entire statement a bit off-putting is that while your preamble consists of individually true statements, it is non-sequitur to use them to justify your absurd implication.
 
Zarathustra said:
Any BONEYARD thoughts on JERSEY WOLFENBARGER, 6'5"
guard/ wing / center (take your pick). Jersey is now in
the Transfer Portal. She is a rising senior after two years
at Arkansas and one year at LSU (where Kim worked
to develop her as a backup center). Note: She originally
was GUARD in H.S. before she grew something like 7??
inches during her late H.S. years. Tall, trained at LSU
as a potential "C" with a h/o " handles (well maybe in H.S.),
and ball handling skills (I've seen the H.S. highlight tapes).
Do you we know a program which might be interested
in such a talent for one year? At least as a backup plan to SERAH?
Expand ...
I wanted Jersey last year and would love her this year. Too bad her career has been squandered so far by making her play out of position.

My new transfer ranking wishlist:
1. Serah Williams
2. Serah Williams
3. Serah Williams
4. Serah Williams
5a. Aaliyah Guyton
5b. Jersey Wolfenbarger
 
LuvBball said:
wanted Jersey last year and would love her this year. Too bad her career has been squandered so far by making her play out of position.
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What exactly is Jersey’s position? It doesn’t seem to be 5 or even 4. But given her weak midrange and beyond shooting it’s hard to picture her as a 3 or a 2. Still, I can imagine Geno figuring out some way for her to contribute. Since she doesn’t seem to like grappling with other bigs in the paint it might be comically paradoxical. Like, picture her as part of the “small” lineup next to Sarah and three other perimeter shooters. This would leave her free to roam the midrange without fear of being doubled. Of course, this would also mean 1) putting a so-so defender on the floor, and 2) getting her to settle for similar minutes to what she got at LSU.
 
Bone Dog said:
What exactly is Jersey’s position? It doesn’t seem to be 5 or even 4. But given her weak midrange and beyond shooting it’s hard to picture her as a 3 or a 2. Still, I can imagine Geno figuring out some way for her to contribute. Since she doesn’t seem to like grappling with other bigs in the paint it might be comically paradoxical. Like, picture her as part of the “small” lineup next to Sarah and three other perimeter shooters. This would leave her free to roam the midrange without fear of being doubled. Of course, this would also mean 1) putting a so-so defender on the floor, and 2) getting her to settle for similar minutes to what she got at LSU.
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Agree it is hard to define her position, but clearly a player who does not get assists and can't shoot from outside is not a wing or a guard. Being pretty mobile and having a good handle isn't enough to be a good perimeter player.

I don't agree with LovBball at all about her career being squandered by being forced to play out of position. I think the evidence is just the opposite. Kim put her in the post and she had a significantly better year than her time at Arkansas. My take is Jersey is best as a 4 even if she doesn't like it, and shys away from contact. She can rebound and block shots pretty well for that spot and IMO her future would be best served by bulking up some and trying to be a better post player, than looking for a coach that will let her play on the perimeter. Kim may have done her a favor using her inside.
 
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oldhusky said:
Agree it is hard to define her position, but clearly a player who does not get assists and can't shoot from outside is not a wing or a guard. Being pretty mobile and having a good handle isn't enough to be a good perimeter player.

I don't agree with LovBball at all about her career being squandered by being forced to play out of position. I think the evidence is just the opposite. Kim put her in the post and she had a significantly better year than her time at Arkansas. My take is Jersey is best as a 4 even if she doesn't like it, and shys away from contact. She can rebound and block shots pretty well for that spot and IMO her future would be best served by bulking up some and trying to be a better post player, than looking for a coach that will let her play on the perimeter. Kim may have done her a favor using her inside.
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WE may have all the opinions in the world, but its her career. And if you recruit someone with the understanding they're a guard or wing and then flip them into a PF or center (against their will) thats squandering someone's potential
 

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Just a little background perspective on Wolfenbarger and her position. She was never a post player. She started her career as a guard (5’11-6’0) and was projected as such. Then she had an impressive growth spurt and shot up to 6’5 and was naturally funneled into a post position which she hasn’t really played. Her best would be a stretch 4 or an offense where she is in the high post. As someone alluded too she doesn’t like post contact. Reason being it’s not really how she grew up playing. She was a guard. She just needs to find the right system and i believe she could thrive.
 
LuvBball said:
I wanted Jersey last year and would love her this year. Too bad her career has been squandered so far by making her play out of position.

My new transfer ranking wishlist:
1. Serah Williams
2. Serah Williams
3. Serah Williams
4. Serah Williams
5a. Aaliyah Guyton
5b. Jersey Wolfenbarger
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You don’t want 5a. Helicopter family!! She is likely headed to Illinois.
 
Last edited:
LuvBball said:
I wanted Jersey last year and would love her this year. Too bad her career has been squandered so far by making her play out of position.

My new transfer ranking wishlist:
1. Serah Williams
2. Serah Williams
3. Serah Williams
4. Serah Williams
5a. Aaliyah Guyton
5b. Jersey Wolfenbarger
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I’m not sure Geno would want Wolfenbarger. I think he already is skeptical of a lot of players that enter the portal. So for Wolfenbarger to be going to a third school in the last three years, that definitely has some red flags for me. Now Serah Williams (who is leaving from a school that had a coaching change), I feel more comfortable with.
 
Bone Dog said:
13 is big enough for Geno’s roster. Serah, sure. Why not? Same for Kneepkens. Neither one is essential, and the opportunity cost for the recruited players is high.
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Kneepkens would be a huge pick up as another really good three point shooter, especially with Azzi's history of injuries.......Ziebel could take that role but we have yet to see her enough to be sure of that....
 
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HuskyNan said:
Following Kayleigh Heckel on Instagram:
Morgan Valley
Azzi
Sarah
Kaitlyn
Caroline
Morgan Cheli
Allie
Bria Hartley
Andrea Hudy (UConn’s trainer)

Kayleigh is following back.
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Should I be worried that KK and Ash are not on this list?
 
Bone Dog said:
Should I be worried that KK and Ash are not on this list?
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Yes, and you are not alone. But the concerns are more than that. Getting Heckel is a 3 year commitment, not fair to Kelis as well and future (to be named) possible great PG's coming in '26 and '27. I could acknowledge the need for another Kaitlyn, but that combination of skill and experience and fit on a one year deal is a rare occurrence. I think Geno will know in a week who's out there and I am sure he is also concerned about the international options drying up due to visa considerations.
 
Bone Dog said:
Should I be worried that KK and Ash are not on this list?
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Bone Dog- - -Very surprising, but you would think they know about it and gave their approval and will be joining those above within a day or two?
 
I don’t know what the follows mean. A lot of top players have known each other since they started playing on an AAU travel team. Olivia Miles follows, and is followed, by a lot of Huskies. Maybe Kayleigh was an unknown POI before she went to USC. Remember that Beers had a lot of mutual follows before she committed to Oklahoma?
 
HuskyNan said:
Following Kayleigh Heckel on Instagram:
Morgan Valley
Azzi
Sarah
Kaitlyn
Caroline
Morgan Cheli
Allie
Bria Hartley
Andrea Hudy (UConn’s trainer)

Kayleigh is following back.
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I believe they all were following Kayleigh before she announced she was transferring (not sure about Bria or Andrea). Just because they all followed her before, I would say it’s not a recruiting tactic (unlike when Azzi and KK followed Serah Williams after she announced entering the portal).
 
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LuvBball said:
WE may have all the opinions in the world, but its her career. And if you recruit someone with the understanding they're a guard or wing and then flip them into a PF or center (against their will) thats squandering someone's potential
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Agreed. However, it was looking fairly promising when Arkansas beat UConn early in Neighbor's process. It was looking like he was a young 'Geno' until the wheels fell off this last season.

Just wondering how a year with Poffenbarger framed Jersey's opinion of UConn. However, the pictures of the 64+ Alums (many who played in the "W") with this year's Championship hardware may be the clincher: Nothing like the ultimate prize to draw others towards you."

Geno, CD & Company will choose wisely. I'm just waiting (semi-patiently) to see who gets the invite.:):cool::)

Go Huskies!!!
 
Looking just a little further down the road at the 2026 season without knowing who is coming into the program. We have the following players:

Senior Point Guard - KK Arnold
Senior Two Guard - Ashlynn Shade
Senior Red Shirt Post - Ice Brady
Senior Red Shirt Post - Ayanna Patterson
Junior Red Shirt Post - Jana El Alfy
Junior Post - Sarah Strong
Junior Wing - Morgan Cheli
Junior Two Guard - Allie Ziebell
Sophomore Combo Guard - Kelis Fisher
Sophomore Wing - Blanca Quinonez
Sophomore Post - Gandy Malloy-Mamel

That’s a pretty good roster. But have space to fill in any gaps.
 

ESPN Lists Another UConn Player as Potential 2025 WNBA Draft Sleeper​

Paige Bueckers isn't the only UConn Huskies guard in this 2025 WNBA Draft who could become an impact player.

However, even though Azzi Fudd is returning to UConn instead of going pro, there's a solid chance Bueckers isn't the only UConn player selected on Monday. Both Kaitlyn Chen and Aubrey Griffin have also declared for the draft and hope to hear their names called.
When speaking with the media on April 13, Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma said, "I think both of [Chen and Griffin's] chances [to get drafted] are awfully good... I think the way Kaitlyn played, and some of the things she did. She brings real value to a team. So I'm excited to hear what comes."

ESPN also seems to like Chen's chances, as Eric Moody cited her as a projected pick later in the 2025 draft that experts are sleeping on in an April 14 article.

"Her journey from Princeton to UConn shows Chen's resilience, adaptability and high basketball IQ," Moody wrote. "The 5-9 guard played an important role in UConn's run to a 12th national title, shining as a poised floor general and smart decision-maker. Chen excels in different systems, is a scrappy defender, shoots efficiently and displays a calm confidence.

www.si.com

ESPN Lists Another UConn Player as Potential 2025 WNBA Draft Sleeper

UConn Huskies superstar guard Paige Bueckers is going to be the Dallas Wings' pick for the 2025 WNBA Draft's No. 1 overall spot. However, even though Azzi Fudd
www.si.com www.si.com
 
Before anyone starts talking about "our bigs", none of them were every game starters. They sort of mixed and matched. Sarah was the only one who saw meaningful minutes Jana and Ice were in and out and we know absolutely nothing about Ayanna so to think our strength is going to be up front is wishful thinking.
 
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