Our Roster Looking Ahead

[ConnMotors]

Hi; I am looking forward to the graph that is posted when players make announcements. But until that comes out lets look at what we have. We all know that Kaitlin Chen and Aubrey Griffen have used up their college playing time. So they will be saying good-bye at the end of the season. Paige Bueckers will be the overall No. #1 pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft. However, she still has a Medical Redshirt Year remaining. As posted before if the Dallas Wings wind up with the first pick then Paige should return to college.

Scuttlebutt recently on our board mentions that Azzi Fudd may return for another year. This actually caught me by surprise. But wouldn't that be an awesome move by her. If that happens I believe that Caroline Ducharme will do the same thing. They both have medical years and can hang out to play another year.

Things get interesting after next years class as we would have five players departing. Ice Brady, Ayanna Patterson, KK Arnold, Ashlynn Shade and Qadence Samuels. That is if no one transfers out and everyone plays. So no medical redshirts.

Our current freshman class of Jana El-Alfy, Morgan Cheli, Sarah Strong and Allie Ziebell is a solid group. They will be fun to watch for three more years following this season. Next years recruiting class has now signed. That is 14 players.

As of today three players would be leaving as listed above along with Paige. And, we have three players joining the team in: Kelis Fisher, Gandy Malou-Manuel and Blanca Quinonez. I know that many of us were disappointed when Lara Somfai didn't join our class. There is also still the possibility that Agot Makeer may come to UConn. If so, then next year we would have a 15 player team. I honestly don't see that happening because the Class of 2026 is stacked.

I have lost track of which players have received offers from UConn but I believe that Saniyah Hall, Kate Harpring, Jerzy Robinson, Olivia Vukosa, Brihanna Crittendon and Allison Bjorn all have. If Makeer does join our incoming class then there would only be two opening for this tremendous 2026 Class. Geno and staff know what they are doing of course. I believe that he holds onto that 15th seat unless things change roster wise.

Next year if things hold true to form we have Guards: Azzi Fudd, Ashlynn Shade, KK Arnold, Allie Ziebell and Kelis Fisher. At Wing, Caroline Ducharme, Qadence Samuels, Morgan Cheli and Blanca Qunonez. In the paint are Ice Brady, Ayanna Patterson, Jana El Alfy, Sarah Strong and Gandy Malou-Manuel. Thats a 14-player team. Look very good to me.

 

[BRS24]

Here you go. Blanca is still in italics as no news on whatever docs they are signing these days. The purple shaded in bottom grid is merely to show what/if players have a redshirt year. I know, Paige has said this is it, however I'm keeping her in there until the end of the season.

 

[EricLA]

Doubtful we land Makeer. I think Quinones showed he's not expecting her... 2025 as it stands is an solid but average class for a top program. Quinones seems like she could be quite good, Fisher is languishing in the 20-30 range for rankings (a-la Coombs, Mclean, Poffenbarger). Gandy has potential, but is a huge question mark. Geno struck out on literally every top post/forward he went after.

I do get that following a class that has the likes of Strong and essentially El Alfy (freshman eligibility wise) not to mention sophomore Brady, is a big ask, but it's disappointing none the less.

Hopefully 2026 has more "splash". I do think the team is well positioned the next few years, and the roster is deep, it's just tough as fans to see one top recruit after another have us as a finalist, only to choose to go elsewhere... Also Geno has done a great job mining the foreign players. Fingers crossed!

 

[Next 12]

Doubtful we land Makeer. I think Quinones showed he's not expecting her... 2025 as it stands is an solid but average class for a top program. Quinones seems like she could be quite good, Fisher is languishing in the 20-30 range for rankings (a-la Coombs, Mclean, Poffenbarger). Gandy has potential, but is a huge question mark. Geno struck out on literally every top post/forward he went after.

I do get that following a class that has the likes of Strong and essentially El Alfy (freshman eligibility wise) not to mention sophomore Brady, is a big ask, but it's disappointing none the less.

Hopefully 2026 has more "splash". I do think the team is well positioned the next few years, and the roster is deep, it's just tough as fans to see one top recruit after another have us as a finalist, only to choose to go elsewhere... Also Geno has done a great job mining the foreign players. Fingers crossed!

EricLA, I highly respect your postings, but this has me wondering. You said the 2025 is solid but average. I disagree for this reason, we have Geno and Chris. This average class will be turned into a superior class by February, and will be ready for March. Remember what Geno did last year with a ragtag team of Freshmen and two starters, who he took to the Final Four.. Geno and Chris are the X-factor on this team. I believe Uconn can go all the way to the N.C. game and win it. GOFRESHMEN!!!! GO SOPHOMORES!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!

 

[Cuango]

I feel like Kelis will be solid, a rotation player, Gandy is pretty much of a crapshoot but she is 6’6” and has apparently shown huge improvement since her arrival in the US. So she could be anything from rotation/back up post to a genuine star that gives us a dominant, defensive minded starter in the middle! Blanca, I believe will be the star of this class and will likely be somewhere between very good, impact starter, to a three year national award candidate.

I too think Geno will back off on Agot and roll that slot over to next year, which, in my view is a critical one that could set us up for a long time! I’m dreaming of a Harpring, Robinson, and Vukosa class! Hall, Crittendon, or Bjorn would be acceptable as well. I would say Vukosa is the must get, followed by the top point guard, Harpring. As for Robinson, I just have a feeling she’s really special! Plus, with Geno, there is always the possibility/likelihood of an October surprise as well.

 

[ConnMotors]

Here you go. Blanca is still in italics as no news on whatever docs they are signing these days. The purple shaded in bottom grid is merely to show what/if players have a redshirt year. I know, Paige has said this is it, however I'm keeping her in there until the end of the season.

View attachment 104819

You are always on top of this and thank you for the quick update.

 

[oldhusky]

I don't know if Paige could change her mind if Dallas gets the first pick, but if it could I'm hoping for Dallas on Sunday. If both Paige and Azzi returned that would be special indeed. I think the main question going forward is star power at the top.

Will we have plenty of very good players and be in the mix for contention? Sure, but to be at the top of the heap you usually need multiple WNBA level players on your roster. If we lose one of those in Paige, I think Sarah will fill that role, but we need another couple to be real stars. Azzi has always had that potential if healthy, and I think Jana might, but most of the roster is filled with solid good players, but maybe not quite All America or WNBA level IMO.

Nothing wrong with that, we can still compete for a championship with one star in Sarah and everybody else in the rotation pretty good. I'm just saying the best 2 or 3 teams in the country will probably have several stars not just one. This season I am hoping someone jumps out from the pack and achieves that level. That could alleviate at least somewhat the likely loss of Paige.

 

[PacoSwede]

is it possible that whichever team wins the lottery, then it will draft PB regardless. they would have her rights, yes? i think any team in that situation would be willing to wait another year for her. is that how the WNBA draft works?

 

[packwrap]

Nothing wrong with that, we can still compete for a championship with one star in Sarah and everybody else in the rotation pretty good. I'm just saying the best 2 or 3 teams in the country will probably have several stars not just one. This season I am hoping someone jumps out from the pack and achieves that level. That could alleviate at least somewhat the likely loss of Paige.

I'm a big believer in the tandems of Jana and Ice, and KK and Ash. Someone here will rise up to help Sarah. Both of these pairs are capable of being among the top 5 post and guard combos nationally, if they step up.

Wow, how much fun would an extra year of Azzi and Caroline be? Great kids, I so much wish them health!

As noted, there is plenty of talent right behind these guys too.

 

[BRS24]

is it possible that whichever team wins the lottery, then it will draft PB regardless. they would have her rights, yes? i think any team in that situation would be willing to wait another year for her. is that how the WNBA draft works?

Unlike when Red Auerbach drafted Larry Bird and had a year to sign him, I don't think either the NBA or the W can do this anymore. Both leagues have deadlines where you have to declare.

 

[DEpup]

I feel like Kelis will be solid, a rotation player, Gandy is pretty much of a crapshoot but she is 6’6” and has apparently shown huge improvement since her arrival in the US. So she could be anything from rotation/back up post to a genuine star that gives us a dominant, defensive minded starter in the middle! Blanca, I believe will be the star of this class and will likely be somewhere between very good, impact starter, to a three year national award candidate.

I too think Geno will back off on Agot and roll that slot over to next year, which, in my view is a critical one that could set us up for a long time! I’m dreaming of a Harpring, Robinson, and Vukosa class! Hall, Crittendon, or Bjorn would be acceptable as well. I would say Vukosa is the must get, followed by the top point guard, Harpring. As for Robinson, I just have a feeling she’s really special! Plus, with Geno, there is always the possibility/likelihood of an October surprise as well.

For me, if Azzi is still undecided than I would back off Agot and wait for the portal. Who knows what grad transfer could be there and then that gives more space for the next class.

 

[ConnMotors]

I too think Geno will back off on Agot and roll that slot over to next year, which, in my view is a critical one that could set us up for a long time! I’m dreaming of a Harpring, Robinson, and Vukosa class! Hall, Crittendon, or Bjorn would be acceptable as well. I would say Vukosa is the must get, followed by the top point guard, Harpring. As for Robinson, I just have a feeling she’s really special! Plus, with Geno, there is always the possibility/likelihood of an October surprise as well.

I'm on board with the above statement. EricLa I respect your posts as well.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

@BRS24 - I really appreciate your work in keeping us up-to-date on this chart and recruitment of players, however it's Kaitlyn Chen.

 

[BRS24]

@BRS24 - I really appreciate your work in keeping us up-to-date on this chart and recruitment of players, however it's Kaitlyn Chen.

Thanks for this. I usually copy/paste names from articles so I don't get it wrong, so who knows what happened.