Kayleigh Heckel Addition Is Official

[Sluconn Husky]

"Kayleigh has a passion for the game," Auriemma said. "She plays at a quick pace and can impact both ends of the court. She's a great teammate and someone who wants to grow on and off the court. We're excited to have her at Connecticut."

UConn Signs Transfer Guard Kayleigh Heckel - University of Connecticut Athletics

UConn women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma announced the addition of transfer guard Kayleigh Heckel to the program for the 2025-26 season.

uconnhuskies.com

 

[RoadMaster]

 

[MilfordHusky]

Nice comments from Coach. I think K9 will be a solid addition for us for 3 years.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

With the combination of the10 returning players and the 5 new players it's like having Xmas and Hanukkah rolled into one big celebration! WOW!

 

[Next 12]

It looks llke the GRINCH has left Uconn alone, FINALLY. From the look of this team, I can see NO13 very clearly.Paige is gone, Chen is gone, But with Serah end Kayleigh to replace them and Gandy and Kelis and all the returnees we are in fantastic position to accomplish that fact. I also predict Uconn will be undefeated in he BIG EAST , so another title. Then all Uconn needs is 6 more wins and "VIOLA" another NC. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!

 

[AmeriConn]

Nice comments from Coach. I think K9 will be a solid addition for us for 3 years.

How did she get the name K9?

 

[Urshurak]

How did she get the name K9?

K9 Mentality

K9 Mentality By: Kayleigh Heckel The number nine often represents the end of one thing, but the start of something else. When I became a Trojan, I knew I wanted to pick a new number and starting this new chapter of collegiate basketball seemed like the perfect time to honor where I’ve been and...

www.houseofvictory.com

 

[gold2323]

she decided if you can’t beat us
Join us
Welcome….
“We are back in the saddle again”

 

[browns]

It's great to know she'll be a Husky for 3 years

 

[BRS24]

Gift article:
Why Kayleigh Heckel's high school coach believes the guard will fit well at UConn: 'Home run of a kid'

“She’s a winner,” said Christina Raiti, head coach of the national prep power Long Island Lutheran. “She is respectful. She will do anything for her teammates. She is a team-first, individual-second type of kid, which is rare these days. I don’t worry about her finding a role there at all.​

​

“I’m happy she found a home that will take care of her but also push her and demand the most out of her abilities. That is a very important balance. I definitely think she is a culture fit at UConn. She is a really good kid, a home run of a kid.”​

 

[Basingstoke]

Its great to read 5others comments about Kayleigh (& Serah). They certainly resonate with those attuned to UCONN culture.

 

[EricLA]

Gift article:
Why Kayleigh Heckel's high school coach believes the guard will fit well at UConn: 'Home run of a kid'

“She’s a winner,” said Christina Raiti, head coach of the national prep power Long Island Lutheran. “She is respectful. She will do anything for her teammates. She is a team-first, individual-second type of kid, which is rare these days. I don’t worry about her finding a role there at all.​

​

“I’m happy she found a home that will take care of her but also push her and demand the most out of her abilities. That is a very important balance. I definitely think she is a culture fit at UConn. She is a really good kid, a home run of a kid.”​

Thank you for sharing the article with us. Possibly one of the best and most glowing articles I've ever read about a kid coming in! It's clear not only did Geno recruit a "stellar kid" (team first, great attitude and work ethic, etc.), but apparently a guard with unlimited potential. Can't wait to see what she does in her next 3 years!!!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

She looks like she is still pissed about the game. Or is that a Nika game face?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

With the combination of the10 returning players and the 5 new players it's like having Xmas and Hanukkah rolled into one big celebration! WOW!

Didn't realize 5! The learning curve will keep the staff hopping, that's for sure. Which newbie will have the pleasure of garnering the most Geno barbs? I love the few we actually hear. Then there is the work of the dorm monitor, CD. "Tell me again why we have to have these treasure hunts?"

 

[UCONNRPh]

Didn't realize 5! The learning curve will keep the staff hopping, that's for sure. Which newbie will have the pleasure of garnering the most Geno barbs? I love the few we actually hear. Then there is the work of the dorm monitor, CD. "Tell me again why we have to have these treasure hunts?"

Blanca

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Blanca

Theory being he is hardest on the best?

 

[Blue Ghost]

She will be a great addition! 13 is coming up!

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

It looks llke the GRINCH has left Uconn alone, FINALLY. From the look of this team, I can see NO13 very clearly.Paige is gone, Chen is gone, But with Serah end Kayleigh to replace them and Gandy and Kelis and all the returnees we are in fantastic position to accomplish that fact. I also predict Uconn will be undefeated in he BIG EAST , so another title. Then all Uconn needs is 6 more wins and "VIOLA" another NC. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!

Let's not forget Azzi.. She played ferociously in the NCAA tournament. She played without fear, hesitation, or being conservative. I hope she can bring that same attitude next year and claim this team as her team.

 

[Bone Dog]

Let's not forget Azzi.. She played ferociously in the NCAA tournament. She played without fear, hesitation, or being conservative. I hope she can bring that same attitude next year and claim this team as her team.

Her BFF Paige had a couple of poor shooting nights in a row, but she didn’t back down and just kept shooting. And against the Sun she found her stroke and put on a clinic, hitting 8-10 and leading the rout. All Azzi needs to do is channel her inner Paige. I’m sure she knows how to do that.

 

[BBallF]

Terrific addition. I think we will all be surprised with how good a player she is and how she will fit into the team so seamlessly.

 

[AmeriConn]

K9 Mentality

K9 Mentality By: Kayleigh Heckel The number nine often represents the end of one thing, but the start of something else. When I became a Trojan, I knew I wanted to pick a new number and starting this new chapter of collegiate basketball seemed like the perfect time to honor where I’ve been and...

www.houseofvictory.com

Thank you Urshurak! Great article.

 

[Charliebball]

Terrific addition. I think we will all be surprised with how good a player she is and how she will fit into the team so seamlessly.

UConn fans are going to have a new favorite player.....

 

[MooseJaw]

Her BFF Paige had a couple of poor shooting nights in a row, but she didn’t back down and just kept shooting. And against the Sun she found her stroke and put on a clinic, hitting 8-10 and leading the rout. All Azzi needs to do is channel her inner Paige. I’m sure she knows how to do that.

Maybe, she had 2 very good final 4 games, the first 4 were OK. Nothing special for someone expected to be the next #1 WBB pick. Too many here dismiss what losing the best player in WCBB will mean for our Huskies. Of course we have great players, 15 of them, all of them able to start on almost any team in the country.
We must remember that it took 80% of last season for UCONN to look and be the best team in WCBB. That was accomplished with the best player in the country, and that player has moved on. The new team will have growing pains and whoever the new team leader will be, they will not have the head start Paige had being the team leader for her UCONN career. The talent is obvious, the question being how long does it take Gramps to mold them into a championship unit.

 

[ERWUC65]

Maybe, she had 2 very good final 4 games, the first 4 were OK. Nothing special for someone expected to be the next #1 WBB pick. Too many here dismiss what losing the best player in WCBB will mean for our Huskies. Of course we have great players, 15 of them, all of them able to start on almost any team in the country.
We must remember that it took 80% of last season for UCONN to look and be the best team in WCBB. That was accomplished with the best player in the country, and that player has moved on. The new team will have growing pains and whoever the new team leader will be, they will not have the head start Paige had being the team leader for her UCONN career. The talent is obvious, the question being how long does it take Gramps to mold them into a championship unit.

Your comments are well taken. I imagine Geno will again work his magic, but in a different way, using the new size up front by increasing both offensive and defensing rebounding thus moving the point production from the guard position(s) (Paige) to the paint position(s) and strengthen the already great defense. I am not one of the BYers who thinks our scoring will be in the 80-90 range, but more in holding down the opposition thus still creating the 10-20 point differential like last season.

 

[Bone Dog]

Too many folks here say that too many folks are missing some important insight. We are a very diverse lot and can’t adequately be understood in terms of a ‘too many’ formulation. It might be more accurate to say ‘a couple of folks said something I disagree with.’