UConn General Team Recruiting Thread - Part 2 | The Boneyard

UConn General Team Recruiting Thread - Part 2

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This years NCAA Women’s Basketball season has come to a close. UConn was able to advance to another Final Four but lost in the SF’s. The portal will open soon. Many coaches across the country will loose a player (s) and many coaches will add a player (s).

UConn as we know has three players graduating in Fudd, Ducharme and Williams. However, if they wanted to both Brady and Paterson can leave. I’m not saying that they will but they both are technically seniors. As of right now there is only one spot on the bench that is open to add another player to the 2026-27 team.

Coach Auriemma has added post player Olivia Vukosa. She can play down low or move outside and take 3-point shots. To me she is better suited as a PF. The other addition is guard Jovana Popovic. This young lady intrigues me. Geno seems to find hidden gems. Can this young lady be another one?

In the Recruiting Thread many players are listed as players of interest. The 2027 class is loaded with talented players. Currently at the top is PG Kaleena Smith. Next year we have Arnold and Heckel. Fisher can play the point as well. However, with a player as talented as her if she wants to play at Connecticut then that would be a big get.

Other players are #2 Ivanna Wilson Manyacka. She is a 6’2” guard or wing that can play multi positions. From all that I have read this young lady is Geno’s must must must get. Haylen Ayers is the #5 player on ESPNs Top 100 list. She is a 6’0” guard. At #6 is Jordyn Palmer a 6’1” wing. Eve Long is at #8 and is a 6’3” forward. From everything written on this board about her she is another must must get. Then there is #11 wing Lauren Hassell at 6’3”. At the top of the list in 2028 are #2 Sydney Douglas a 6’5” forward and #4 Ella Pepper a 6’4”tall wing.

Which way does Geno and staff go from here? I’m sure that the next few days, weeks and months will be pretty interesting. What are your thoughts or moves that you would like to see? Many names have already been mentioned as entering the portal. Remember no talk about UConn players transferring out unless that is announced.
 
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Does UConn have room for an assistant development coach or a similar title? This would be a great time to hire someone young that wants to become a coach one day. First name that comes to mind right now is Caroline Ducharme if she doesn’t want to continue her pursuit as a basketball player.
 
This years NCAA Women’s Basketball season has come to a close. UConn was able to advance to another Final Four but lost in the SF’s. The portal will open soon. Many coaches across the country will loose a player (s) and many coaches will add a player (s).

UConn as we know has three players graduating in Fudd, Ducharme and Williams. However, if they wanted to both Brady and Paterson can leave. I’m not saying that they will but they both are technically seniors. As of right now there is only one spot on the bench that is open to add another player to the 2026-27 team.

Coach Auriemma has added post player Olivia Vukosa. She can play down low or move outside and take 3-point shots. To me she is better suited as a PF. The other addition is guard Jovana Popovic. This young lady intrigues me. Geno seems to find hidden gems. Can this young lady be another one?

In the Recruiting Thread many players are listed as players of interest. The 2027 class is loaded with talented players. Currently at the top is PG Kaleena Smith. Next year we have Arnold and Heckel. Fisher can play the point as well. However, with a player as talented as her if she wants to play at Connecticut then that would be a big get.

Other players are #2 Ivanna Wilson Manyacka. She is a 6’2” guard or wing that can play multi positions. From all that I have read this young lady is Geno’s must must must get. Haylen Ayers is the #5 player on ESPNs Top 100 list. She is a 6’0” guard. At #6 is Jordyn Palmer a 6’1” wing. Eve Long is at #8 and is a 6’3” forward. From everything written on this board about her she is another must must get. Then there is #11 wing Lauren Hassell at 6’3”. At the top of the list in 2028 are #2 Sydney Douglas a 6’5” forward and #4 Ella Pepper a 6’4”tall wing.

Which way does Geno and staff go from here? I’m sure that the next few days, weeks and months will be pretty interesting. What are your thoughts or moves that you would like to see? Many names have already been mentioned as entering the portal. Remember no talk about UConn players transferring out unless that is announced.
Lara Somfai is in the portal
 
.-.
We need a center IMHO.
I mean we have an elite one coming in next year as a freshman. She already does what SW and JEA cannot, make midrange jumpers and run the court with pace respectively, so I think Olivia is poised to make an impact right away.
 
Hi and yes I saw that. I know that she was recruited by Geno before she signed with Stanford. Question is is she athletic enough? Or does that even matter.
I see her as a taller version of Gianna Kneepkens, maybe not super athletic, but a stone cold shooter. And with Azzi leaving, boy do we need shooters.
 
I see her as a taller version of Gianna Kneepkens, maybe not super athletic, but a stone cold shooter. And with Azzi leaving, boy do we need shooters.
I noted my "I AM A BELIEVER" comments on the LARA SOMFEI
(specific "RECRUITING THREAD". A Highlight Tape to
consider viewing is "Lara Somfai Basketball Stanford Highlights
2025 -2026. Lara is bigger than Kneepkens, and while Lara
may not be (as of yet) the three point threat that Gianna was,
The Highlight tape reveals how TALENTED Lara is. View it
and come to your own conclusions. Lara a Strong Forward
with Sarah S. and Olivia a Post with the capacity to go to the
perimeter. I see Blanca on the wing with Morgan Cheli.
The Fall will be VERY interesting and competitive. BTY:
Jovana Popovic = a shooting guard/ PG "combo" player??
 

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