Azzi Confirms Return

[Bone Dog]

I feel totally vindicated. I said she'd come back a few weeks back and was roundly mocked for it. Well, maybe I deserved a little mockery, since my credibility isn't the greatest. But the important part is

AZZI IS COMING BACK

 

[jaydee602]

I would think she'd want to get an AA award (get on that Wall of Honor, and maybe put her name up on some UCONN lists (pts/3pt FGs/3 pt FG%/FT%). Plus a NC or 2?

LOl... she would be the only #35 on the wall!

 

[oldude]

Tired of ignoring Geno. lol

Now she can ignore whoever her coach is in the W….

 

[Cornell Lt]

Yep. Geno will build next year's team with a core of KK, Azzi, Ashlynn, Sarah, with Jana/Ice holding down the 5 spot. Not a bad way to kick off your off-season rebuild knowing you have an upperclassmen laden starting five that have played a ton of minutes together with a pretty deep and versatile bench.

That core that you referenced has 2 reliable scorers. Who will be the third-fifth scorers ?

 

[hoopsfan22]

That core that you referenced has 2 reliable scorers. Who will be the third-fifth scorers ?

Guess we'll see how the core improves over the summer. I'm optimistic that Jana will take a sophomore leap with her first season of playing under her belt and a year removed from major injury rehab. It's also possible Ice steps up and takes that spot we shall see. I ultimately chose the core based on the players most familiar with the UConn system, playing time, chemistry with teammates, and how they've performed. Given the departures and who is left, the five I've chosen are the most obvious based on that criteria. If Geno had another Paige, or Stewie, or Maya coming in over the summer that would change the calculus, but he doesn't. He has what he has today minus Paige/Chen/Aubrey plus a bunch of kids that have played little or zero minutes of college hoops.

 

[oldude]

If Geno had another Paige, or Stewie, or Maya coming in over the summer that would change the calculus, but he doesn't.

I beg to differ.

BLANCA CHAVEZ QUINONES

 

[Conndog]

That core that you referenced has 2 reliable scorers. Who will be the third-fifth scorers ?

I expect Jana to be a much more impactful person on offense next year for several reasons. She will be further healed from her Achilles injury and will be be more confident as a result. Physically, if it held her back with jumping ability, that will improve too. But during the off-season, she will work constantly on big player skills- drop step, pivoting for better shot position, when and how to carve out space for entry pass & how to maintain that. Her overall conditioning will benefit from dedicated summer training. She will become a real monster soon!

 

[VA Huskie]

Geno had to know this or he would have given Azzi the same sendoff as Paige, taking her out to the applause of the grateful crowd!!

That’s exactly what I thought. In fact I said to my wife “we’re getting Azzi back” after Geno didn’t give her a curtain call.

 

[Hist-teacher]

Fantastic news! Looking forward to seeing her grow as a player and leader next season!

 

[MilfordHusky]

I know that some of you have seen this, but I wanted to remind you of Azzi's capabilities. This was the DC City Championship Game, when her 38 points matched the entire opponent's total. She was in 10th grade back then. Azzi still holds the arena scoring record where the Mystics play.

 

[msf22b]

The financial issues noted by Meyer and 33 for Azzi may well play a role...
How could they not? they also apply to Paige (and all of this year's talented grads).

Next year's rookie contract will certainly be richer and probably likely less binding...
They might also allow the recruiting of underclassman... of possible interest to JuJu (among others).

Which makes Paige's certainty of leaving and where for whom and with whom she might wind up playing for and with, an interesting conundrum...

I would love to be that "fly on the wall" at discussions with her undoubtedly highly professional staff regarding the range of choices she faces.

To be followed with great interest.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

I feel totally vindicated. I said she'd come back a few weeks back and was roundly mocked for it. Well, maybe I deserved a little mockery, since my credibility isn't the greatest. But the important part is

AZZI IS COMING BACK

I am glad that you are vindicated!!!

Apparently, I was off by a week, and the announcement was in social media instead of a microphone...

 

[Topdawg]

She just launched a website. She has much to learn from Paige who has built a strong following. College basketball is a great place from which to launch a platform and build a following. If you have game and are in the news and on TV, you are likely to garner many more high profile deals. I am sure many of you have been seeing ads featuring Paige. next year, those could well be Azzi.

i wish her the very best for the years ahead. Her game is a pleasure to watch!

 

[BRS24]

So, if anyone is thinking about the roster for 2025-26, I won't be updating it until aaaallllll the dust settles. Just sayin'

 

[Bone Dog]

She has much to learn from Paige who has built a strong following

I think Azzi has been learning right alongside Paige this whole time. She may not be making >$1m per year like Paige, but she’s not far behind. She has an agent, money managers, etc.

 

[hookshot]

Yep. Geno will build next year's team with a core of KK, Azzi, Ashlynn, Sarah, with Jana/Ice holding down the 5 spot. Not a bad way to kick off your off-season rebuild knowing you have an upperclassmen laden starting five that have played a ton of minutes together with a pretty deep and versatile bench.

Will need some portal help to secure the 5 spot, unless Jana has more upside

 

[browns]

Great great news !!!

 

[hookshot]

I expect Jana to be a much more impactful person on offense next year for several reasons. She will be further healed from her Achilles injury and will be be more confident as a result. Physically, if it held her back with jumping ability, that will improve too. But during the off-season, she will work constantly on big player skills- drop step, pivoting for better shot position, when and how to carve out space for entry pass & how to maintain that. Her overall conditioning will benefit from dedicated summer training. She will become a real monster soon!

Hummm, would be nice

 

[BBallF]

Let's just focus on the news itself which is great. Another team next year with 2 All Americans.

 

[DefenseBB]

OMG! I spit out my Brisk iced tea laughing at this. Please post a warning next time. This is great.

 

[DefenseBB]

I feel totally vindicated. I said she'd come back a few weeks back and was roundly mocked for it. Well, maybe I deserved a little mockery, since my credibility isn't the greatest. But the important part is

AZZI IS COMING BACK

To be fair, you could have been mocked for any number of things you post vs. that which seems innocuous…

 

[AmeriConn]

 

[packwrap]

I think Azzi has been learning right alongside Paige this whole time. She may not be making >$1m per year like Paige, but she’s not far behind. She has an agent, money managers, etc.

She is already very close. She has marketing deals with Under Armour, Chipotle, Buick, Nerf, Biosteel sports drink, Bose and American Eagle.

The Under Armour Deal is enormous! They will launch a female CurryBrand shoe, now presumably in March '26 with Azzi as the 'face of the franchise.'

There is always yapping that her deals are based on her hs reputation. Well now this year we have seen her also performing in ncaa at that level. Knock on wood, with continued good health, she can really get there in 25-26.

One other huge benefit of not going pro this year is also simply the calendar. Going pro meant ncaa, draft, WNBA season, unrivaled season.

Not going pro means ncaa, rest period, summer strength&flexibility work, skills development, finish yr 2 of her masters, 25-26 UConn season. This option she chose is much better for her to continue rehabbing from her injuries, rather than entering gauntlet of year round pro play.

 

[Dove]

The health insurance must be great.

 

[Fossil]

Guess we'll see how the core improves over the summer. I'm optimistic that Jana will take a sophomore leap with her first season of playing under her belt and a year removed from major injury rehab. It's also possible Ice steps up and takes that spot we shall see. I ultimately chose the core based on the players most familiar with the UConn system, playing time, chemistry with teammates, and how they've performed. Given the departures and who is left, the five I've chosen are the most obvious based on that criteria. If Geno had another Paige, or Stewie, or Maya coming in over the summer that would change the calculus, but he doesn't. He has what he has today minus Paige/Chen/Aubrey plus a bunch of kids that have played little or zero minutes of college hoops.

I agree that two of the incoming are really inexperienced, but hasn’t Blanca been playing professionally overseas and she looks to be the real deal. Smooth bigger stronger she does not look like a high school kid. I believe we’re all going to be pleasantly surprised by her. Hopefully. And I believe if Morgan is playing consistently she will put up 8 to 12 a game and if Caroline is healthy, she could easily be that third scorer.