Senior Day - info on Azzi and others

[HuskyNan]

According to the Sporting News, rookies drafted in the top 4 sign a 4 year contract averaging 84,514. I would venture a guess that both Paige and Azzi make considerably more in NIL money.

How much do WNBA players make? Highest paid, average salary, rookie deals and more for 2024 | Sporting News

The Sporting News details the largest and average salaries in the WNBA as well as what the 2024 rookies can expect to make.

www.sportingnews.com

They can continue getting NIL payments as pros

 

[Linart]

Someone posted earlier on this board that Azzi was in the middle of two year Masters program.

With her injuries, she has only played the equivalent of two years. So in effect, if she were to leave she would be leaving after the equivalent of
her sophomore year. Common in the men's game but I don't think it's been done in the women's game.

Interest in women's college basketball is exploding. My bets are on Azzi coming back.

 

[packwrap]

True...but the NIL rolls forward with them into their pro careers, usually with a nice increase.

Staying in college not a problem...as they have NIL.

Low pro salary not a problem....as they still make way more money from their sponsors.

Therefore with both routes a good financial choice, decision becomes about basketball.

 

[packwrap]

With her injuries, she has only played the equivalent of two years. So in effect, if she were to leave she would be leaving after the equivalent of
her sophomore year. Common in the men's game but I don't think it's been done in the women's game.

The rule on going to WNBA isn't based on how many healthy seasons, or NCAA games have been played...it's based on age.

I HOPE Azzi comes back and can only imagine a Husky team with the great young core plus Azzi, Caroline & Sarah!

However, if Mystics inform Azzi they will take her with pick #3,#4 or #6...that perfect scenario could be hard to resist.

#2 is LA, and #5 is Golden State also great options.

 

[OldAlum]

With Azzi's injury history, I think her health is another consideration in the choice. If she goes to the WNBA, she will get to play, absent any preseason injury. If she stays at UConn, she may improve, but she may also suffer another injury that could derail her WNBA career.

 

[ConnMotors]

#2 is Seattle and Azzi will not be going there if drafted. She is Washington’s if she decides to turn pro. Can’t really screw up with picks #3, #4 and #6. This is a talented draft class.

 

[Geew1992]

Sad to say, but I think that NIL vs the WNBA salary structure next year may also factor in on whether student athletes opt to declare for the draft or not. Add in injury history vs the opportunity to get an advanced degree while strengthening their bodies as well as their game; there is no down side to staying.

Considering they NIL goes with them, they’ll have both

 

[ERWUC65]

With Azzi's injury history, I think her health is another consideration in the choice. If she goes to the WNBA, she will get to play, absent any preseason injury. If she stays at UConn, she may improve, but she may also suffer another injury that could derail her WNBA career.

With a very deep roster next year (fingers crossed), the possibility of finding a true point guard in Kelis and the additional hope for the emergence of a true post player (5), the demands on Azzi could be regulated, especially early in the season. With the expectation of again winning the Big East handily, she might not have to play a significant role in those games.

 

[Geew1992]

With a very deep roster next year (fingers crossed), the possibility of finding a true point guard in Kelis and the additional hope for the emergence of a true post player (5), the demands on Azzi could be regulated, especially early in the season. With the expectation of again winning the Big East handily, she might not have to play a significant role in those games.

True point guard?? Did you forget about KK??

 

[Geew1992]

 

[Crossover]

The rule on going to WNBA isn't based on how many healthy seasons, or NCAA games have been played...it's based on age.

I HOPE Azzi comes back and can only imagine a Husky team with the great young core plus Azzi, Caroline & Sarah!

However, if Mystics inform Azzi they will take her with pick #3,#4 or #6...that perfect scenario could be hard to resist.

#2 is LA, and #5 is Golden State also great options.

If I am Golden State I'm drafting Azzi in a heartbeat. They need a face of the franchise, and could capitalize on Azzi's relationship with Steph Curry. The advertising would practically write itself, and you can be certain that Steph and Azzi would renew their 3-point contest.

 

[packwrap]

Love KK, great ball handler, defender, disrupter, but still not there with decision making, BB IQ, 3pt shooting. That's why Geno decided to stick with Kaitlyn and you can now note the difference. Same with Ash, but for different reasons: ball handling, confidence issues.

Next year will be fun. Unless Kelis is really special, KK will get the keys to run the show. She's a point more like Hidalgo, JuJu etc, who can get quickly to the hoop. Her decision making improves now practically on a game to game basis. She can be very good, for 2 more seasons.

 

[hoopsdiva]

Postgame ceremony

I wish the ceremony would be shown on BlueSky.

 

[ABCDFE]

I believe Azzi is 50/50. Of course as a fan I’d love to see Azzi back and she would in my mind be one of the top players if not the top player in college if she is fully healthy. I’ve seen her in glimpses be the best offensive and defensive player on the floor. However I can see her leave for the draft as well. It then comes down to does she want the college experience one more year (and be with bff Carol) and write her own legacy at UConn. Or is she protective of her health and want to get to the league as soon as possible.

 

[BRS24]

Get your tissues out ... some posts of the seniors that bring back memories:

 

[packwrap]

#2 is Seattle and Azzi will not be going there if drafted. She is Washington’s if she decides to turn pro. Can’t really screw up with picks #3, #4 and #6. This is a talented draft class.

Thanks! Forgot about that big trade.

Curious, not that they are likely to pick her, but why not Seattle?

 

[BRS24]

 

[Barkin Out]

Correction: it was during the SoCar game that Ryan Ruocco said it about Azzi.

Anyone wanna guess what I am doing this evening?????

It’s definitely worth rewatching! It’s a keeper on the dvr- the type of game we dream for all summer. Hoping for two more on April 4th and 6th

 

[Centerstream]

I believe Azzi is 50/50. Of course as a fan I’d love to see Azzi back and she would in my mind be one of the top players if not the top player in college if she is fully healthy. I’ve seen her in glimpses be the best offensive and defensive player on the floor. However I can see her leave for the draft as well. It then comes down to does she want the college experience one more year (and be with bff Carol) and write her own legacy at UConn. Or is she protective of her health and want to get to the league as soon as possible.

I always thought that Azzi and Paige were BFFs. Hmm.

 

[Linart]

Don't know if this has been posted elsewhere, but the senior ceremony will be carried at 4:30 on UConn+.

 

[Skeets]

True...but the NIL rolls forward with them into their pro careers, usually with a nice increase.

Staying in college not a problem...as they have NIL.

Low pro salary not a problem....as they still make way more money from their sponsors.

Therefore with both routes a good financial choice, decision becomes about basketball.

I agree. Money is probably a minor issue, or a non-issue. I believe it will come down to what Azzi WANTS to do, as it should.

Question about BFF mentioned in a post. Can you have more than 1 BFF? Sorta like having more than 1 GOAT?

 

[ConnMotors]

Thanks! Forgot about that big trade.

Curious, not that they are likely to pick her, but why not Seattle?

Seattle needs a point guard. Olivia Miles will be that pick if she turns pro

 

[baggerbob]

Money issue in WNBA less than people realize.

Current rookie salary is $80,000.

If it goes up 3x new 2026 rookie salary could be $240,000.

That's nice, but it will still be a lot less than Azzi's earnings from sponsors in the WNBA. (Chipotle, Nerf, Biosteel, American Eagle etc...)

The big sponsor of course is Under Armour & their Curry Brand, where she is in line for a shoe. Conservatively, she will earn $2 million+ from her sponsors in her WNBA season 1!

Similarly Nika earned $80,000 in player salary for the Storm. Just her work for Mazda would pay $250,000 to $1million, depending if Mazda is using that film also in Croatia/Europe.

Therefore, the solution on how to improve earnings in today's world is to have your agent go find another sponsor, rather than waiting for the still small player salary to increase.

Someone will probably ask the question: 'why would a sponsor sign Azzi, Paige, or Nika before they are established WNBA players?'

3 reasons: 1- cheaper to sign them now than wait for them to get more expensive, 2- due UConn/NCAA/high school/social media, these three are already household names. 3- potential. Particularly, Azzi&Paige are viewed by the sports marketing industry to be faces of WBB for next 10-15 years. Despite injuries and inconsistency, experts are comfortable that Azzi will deliver at WNBA level and are willing to pay up front for it.

Azzi's choice of pro/college will be mostly about basketball and less about money. She is pretty much in a no lose situation...as long as she stays fit.

A player like Azzi playing on a team like the Liberty with Stewie, JJ, and Sabrina would be devastating. She would get a lot of open looks, and would make the Liberty almost unbeatable.
Shooters as good as she is are very few.

 

[MinneHusky]

Just a question, no way this will happen, but doesn't Paige have 1 more year of eligibility left?

 

[Gus Mahler]

I agree. Money is probably a minor issue, or a non-issue. I believe it will come down to what Azzi WANTS to do, as it should.

Question about BFF mentioned in a post. Can you have more than 1 BFF? Sorta like having more than 1 GOAT?

You know how it is in our culture: We like to speak in superlatives. As many as possible.