Confirmed UConn pursuit of Wisconsin transfer Serah Williams

[Sluconn Husky]

A subscriber article from Maggie Vanoni. Mentions Williams is a nursing major. Doesn't UConn have a quality nursing program?


CT Insider has confirmed from a source that UConn is pursuing 6-4 forward Serah Williams, who recently announced her plan to enter the transfer portal after playing three seasons at Wisconsin.

https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/article/transfer-portal-serah-williams-uconn-huskies-20226699.php

 

[DefenseBB]

What a way to wake up! Thank you SluConn. Adding an experienced front court player to compete with UCLA, SCar, Texas and USC who have plenty of depth next year boosts our chances.

 

[Blakeon18]

Great news! Hope Geno gets her on campus and we'll see what happens.
I think she has one year left. On a mediocre team she averaged around 20/10...am assuming she was
THE focus of every defense. Those numbers at UConn...no. Darn helpful in our quest for a ring....you bet.

 

[Zarathustra]

Do you think Kia Nurse, from Canada, could encourage a
Nursing Student from Ontario (by way of Brooklyn!) to come
to Storrs.? Maybe just a loose association on my part. But I do think that
former Wisconsin H.C. Marisa Moseley years at UCONN
as assistant coach (2009 -2018) may make the decision easier
for Serah Williams... and the transition/ learning curve at Gampel
a little less of an issue. GO SERAH!, Come to Storrs.

 

[oldude]

Also in the portal again is Caitlin Weimer, a versatile 6’4” forward out of Boston U who attracted a lot of attention last year before selecting NC State, where she was injured in preseason, had surgery and sat out the entire season.

There was a lot of interest in Weimer here on the BY. Whether or not UConn reached out to her last year is unknown. But if UConn is looking at Williams, I would certainly hope that they are also looking at Weimer.

 

[PacoSwede]

sarah playing beside serah, huh? strong & williams llc sounds good.

 

[GG]

A subscriber article from Maggie Vanoni. Mentions Williams is a nursing major. Doesn't UConn have a quality nursing program?


CT Insider has confirmed from a source that UConn is pursuing 6-4 forward Serah Williams, who recently announced her plan to enter the transfer portal after playing three seasons at Wisconsin.

https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/article/transfer-portal-serah-williams-uconn-huskies-20226699.php

Yes, UConn has an excellent nursing program.

 

[hoy-ah!]

sarah playing beside serah, huh? strong & williams llc sounds good.

Que Serah Sarah

 

[Bone Dog]

Also in the portal again is Caitlin Weimer, a versatile 6’4” forward out of Boston U that attracted a lot of attention last year before selecting NC State, where she was injured in preseason, had surgery and sat out the entire season.

There was a lot of interest in Weimer here on the BY. Whether or not UConn reached out to her last year is unknown. But if UConn is looking at Williams, I would certainly hope that they are also looking at Weimer.

As I recall, the interest in Weimer on the BY was rather mixed. Williams looks like a clear asset to any team, but may fit UConn better than any portal prospect. That said, I don’t think Geno actually needs her. But she would be a good addition.

I’d compare the situation to UNC where Coach Banghart has two quality first year posts in Thomas and Toomey who have benefited from playing in the shadow of Gakdeng. Injury made this necessary last year and it’s worked out well.

The only caveat about getting Williams, and it may not matter much in the larger scheme, is that the post position may feel a bit crowded. Sarah, Jana, Ice, Ayanna, Gandy and Serah. And if Geno gets his way, Serah will be replaced by Olivia Vukosa the following year. I can’t remember a time when the post slot was so crowded. And it will feel even more crowded if Geno continues to use the small lineup style he’s favored the last two seasons and that Sarah really thrives in.

 

[yhun89]

Also in the portal again is Caitlin Weimer, a versatile 6’4” forward out of Boston U who attracted a lot of attention last year before selecting NC State, where she was injured in preseason, had surgery and sat out the entire season.

There was a lot of interest in Weimer here on the BY. Whether or not UConn reached out to her last year is unknown. But if UConn is looking at Williams, I would certainly hope that they are also looking at Weimer.

She 's transferring, even though she hasn't even played? That's odd.

 

[yhun89]

As I recall, the interest in Weimer on the BY was rather mixed. Williams looks like a clear asset to any team, but may fit UConn better than any portal prospect. That said, I don’t think Geno actually needs her. But she would be a good addition.

I’d compare the situation to UNC where Coach Banghart has two quality first year posts in Thomas and Toomey who have benefited from playing in the shadow of Gakdeng. Injury made this necessary last year and it’s worked out well.

The only caveat about getting Williams, and it may not matter much in the larger scheme, is that the post position may feel a bit crowded. Sarah, Jana, Ice, Ayanna, Gandy and Serah. And if Geno gets his way, Serah will be replaced by Olivia Vukosa the following year. I can’t remember a time when the post slot was so crowded. And it will feel even more crowded if Geno continues to use the small lineup style he’s favored the last two seasons and that Sarah really thrives in.

Well, the way I see it:

Sarah can play anywhere. She's not solely attached to the post.

Ayanna hasn't played in years. For all we know, she is to be a low minute bencher next season, that many knee injuries and surgeries can take a toll on someone.

Gandy is a rookie. Coaches themselves described her as "raw." So I'm not sure if we'll see much of her next season. I could be wrong, but the way the UCONN coaches described her, it seems she's another Jana situation where she's going to need a year to find her footing.

Depth is always nice. Serah is a proven good post defender. That's what we've been needing from our posts, especially in the Tennessee game where they just made mincemeat of the down low. Other than Sarah, none of our posts are all that great at defense under the hoop. I'll give Jana the benefit of the doubt considering she's played her first year, but Ice has played 2 and continues to be a liability defensively.

The more posts the better IMO. We've lacked size typically. And our posts can be foul prone.

 

[oldude]

As I recall, the interest in Weimer on the BY was rather mixed. Williams looks like a clear asset to any team, but may fit UConn better than any portal prospect. That said, I don’t think Geno actually needs her. But she would be a good addition.

I’d compare the situation to UNC where Coach Banghart has two quality first year posts in Thomas and Toomey who have benefited from playing in the shadow of Gakdeng. Injury made this necessary last year and it’s worked out well.

The only caveat about getting Williams, and it may not matter much in the larger scheme, is that the post position may feel a bit crowded. Sarah, Jana, Ice, Ayanna, Gandy and Serah. And if Geno gets his way, Serah will be replaced by Olivia Vukosa the following year. I can’t remember a time when the post slot was so crowded. And it will feel even more crowded if Geno continues to use the small lineup style he’s favored the last two seasons and that Sarah really thrives in.

On your list, only Jana & Gandy would be considered true posts, and Gandy is going to take some time to develop. Serah as a 1-year rental has great appeal as a 1-2 punch with Jana. As for Caitlin Weimer, I see her more as a stretch-4 who would definitely compete for PT with Ice and Ayanna.

Sarah can play anywhere she wants. But most likely it will be on the wing or at power forward. Regardless of where Sarah plays, next year UConn will be her team to lead.

 

[BobbyJ]

Best possible scenario for both UConn and Williams. UConn acquires a 6-4 quick, athletic big who immediately becomes their best, most experienced inside option. Skilled enough to play next to Strong against big and small lineups and take a lot of rebounding burden off her. Williams gets to play a full season with top talent to showcase her skills and get pro prep from the coaching staff. No downside here, sign her up.

 

[BRS24]

Williams could be a nice gap year player between 2025-26, and the 2026 recruiting classes, with Jana, Ice, and Ayanna getting another year of experience.

 

[Forego]

Yes, UConn has an excellent nursing program.

Heather Buck graduated from UConn’s School of Nursing with a BSRN.

 

[oldude]

She 's transferring, even though she hasn't even played? That's odd.

Yes. The word is that she had hip surgery and recuperated at home. I don’t know if she also dropped out of school. In addition, in Weimer’s absence, 6’6” freshman forward, Tilda Trygger from Sweden earned the starting center role, so her path to PT at NCSt may be more difficult.

 

[cordarone]

Heather Buck graduated from the nursing program at UConn, and still lives in CT (as per Google). Maybe she'll be somehow available if/when Williams comes for an OV ? ( Do OVs even apply for transfers?)

 

[faninwisc]

I am from Madison and have seen Serah play countless times. She would fit in wonderfully with what Uconn does. She can play the 4/5, she has a midrange jumper, she can drive to the basket, she is a solid passer, and excellent rebounder and defender. With her, Geno would have so many different options for rotations.

 

[jaydee602]

I'm sure Geno is getting top scouting info from former Wisconsin coach Marisa Moseley.
I wouldn't be surprised if Moseley is back on the UCONN bench next season.

 

[Forego]

Does Serah Williams have a “do not contact tag” designation on her portal entry? Limited, or better yet, no competition from other teams would speed up or eliminate her decision making process and help me sleep better at nights.

 

[Bone Dog]

Depth is always nice. Serah is a proven good post defender. That's what we've been needing from our posts, especially in the Tennessee game where they just made mincemeat of the down low. Other than Sarah, none of our posts are all that great at defense under the hoop. I'll give Jana the benefit of the doubt considering she's played her first year, but Ice has played 2 and continues to be a liability defensively.

The more posts the better IMO.

The problem with too much depth is not that the right players won't get minutes. It's that you might create a morale problem if the bench is clogged with too many players not getting significant PT. Kids who came to Storrs out of high school being suddenly upstaged by a portal newcomer may feel disappointed by that.

Fortunately, the culture Geno has instilled on his team is that you earn minutes in practice. Caroline even mentioned this in an interview, that every player knows someone else could take their minutes away. I'm sure he'll make it clear in practice that Serah will earn minutes like the rest of them. None of them came to UConn to get an easy path. They came to compete. If Serah comes to Storrs, it means she's accepted this reality and thinks she can compete successfully in Geno's practices.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Williams had a good year statistically but had big problems handling Betts.

In her defense, doesn't everyone have those problems?

 

[Zonepress]

I personally would like to see UConn focus more on developing the players they have in the post. I think the team as a whole does a great job with guards and wings but I have not been impressed with the post play at all. Williams had a good year statistically but had big problems handling Betts.

UConn will return most of their roster barring transfers so they have what they need. My fear is if UConn gets too much into the portal acquisitions it will reduce the loyalty players feel from the program and consequently cause more players they already have to move

Wow she had trouble handling betts

 

[Zarathustra]

Wow she had trouble handling betts

Who doesn't!!!??

 

[donalddoowop]

The problem with too much depth is not that the right players won't get minutes. It's that you might create a morale problem if the bench is clogged with too many players not getting significant PT. Kids who came to Storrs out of high school being suddenly upstaged by a portal newcomer may feel disappointed by that.

Fortunately, the culture Geno has instilled on his team is that you earn minutes in practice. Caroline even mentioned this in an interview, that every player knows someone else could take their minutes away. I'm sure he'll make it clear in practice that Serah will earn minutes like the rest of them. None of them came to UConn to get an easy path. They came to compete. If Serah comes to Storrs, it means she's accepted this reality and thinks she can compete successfully in Geno's practices.

Did that happen when Chen came to UConn? I think it worked out fine.