UConn General Team Recruiting Thread

[ConnMotors]

I asked if I could start a UConn General Team Recruiting Thread so we can discuss team needs along various players not just an individual. Plus, anything else that is associated with UConn Women's Basketball Recruiting. A reply said sure so I want to say thank you to HuskyNan.

Today was a good day for UConn Recruiting as Blanca Quinonez, a 6-2 forward from Ecuador officially committed to play for the Huskies. We all knew that this was going to happen. But it's always a special moment when commitments are confirmed. After the announcement was made the UConn Player Grid was immediately updated. I really enjoy looking at this chart as it shows the players that we have, the players who are coming in and the players that are leaving.

Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season we now have a loaded roster of 15 players. In the spread sheet Paige Bueckers is included because she still has a medical red-shirt year if she chooses to use it. However, she has noted that she would head pro after this college season. If Paige does leave then that opens up a spot for Agot Makeer the #4 recruit in this year's graduating class. She has confirmed that UConn has made her final three. Azzi Fudd has already graduated but has a medical red-redshirt year also. If she wants to she can move on and play professionally or return. Sadly, Caroline Ducharme has been injured as well. She as well can come back as a medical red-shirt. And, if I'm correct she can petition the NCAA for an extra year of eligibilty because of injury.

Assuming that both players return where does this leave UConn with the upcoming loaded 2026 High School Class? There are multi-players that have received UConn offers such as: Saniyah Hall; Kate Harping; Olivia Vukosa and Addison Bjorn. Each one of these young ladies are needed and would help the team tremendously. However, we cannot add players without subtraction. On this board we can't speculate on player movement. If my math is correct with Caroline returning Geno would only have one spot available for the 2026-27 season. Of the four mentioned players which one would you want on the team and why? Are any of these four ladies generational players?

For me, I would take Olivia. As we have known for years now having enough post players is never a bad thing. Keep in mind that the following year four seats open up on the UConn bench.

 

[oldhusky]

My view is that Uconn will go hard after Harping and Vukosa assuming that when everything settles they will have at least two open spots. That would be a great combo for many reasons, but it is also a bit scary, because there doesn't appear to be a good plan B option for a PG behind Harping or a C behind Vukosa. Both of those players will be chased by the top programs and the gap to the next tier at those positions appears to be high, so if you strike out on those two, it could be very frustrating.

Mid-sized wing types are completely different. I believe Hall had a short list that did not include us, but for that type of player, there are plenty of options including players we seem to have a decent chance at. You might wind up getting your third choice and still get a valuable addition, but maybe not at the position of greatest need.

With all the movement in the portal and the impact of NIL, I believe teams should shoot for a roster of 14, and try in most years to have one card to play in the portal, for whatever need may develop due to injury, transfer, or a player that didn't develop as anticipated.

 

[ConnMotors]

My view is that Uconn will go hard after Harping and Vukosa assuming that when everything settles they will have at least two open spots. That would be a great combo for many reasons, but it is also a bit scary, because there doesn't appear to be a good plan B option for a PG behind Harping or a C behind Vukosa. Both of those players will be chased by the top programs and the gap to the next tier at those positions appears to be high, so if you strike out on those two, it could be very frustrating.

I agree on this. Last season in one of the threads I mentioned that we needed a point guard. Don’t remember who followed but they said that Kelis was a PG. Watching her in videos she appeared to be a very quick shooting guard.

I’m not a portal fan. But that is where college sports has gone. You have players for hire. UConn uses it and it has worked out well. There was a thread on portal transfers last year. A ton of teams and four and five player change over. That’s totally insane. But I guess it’s needed. The down side is that every player even with over 320 D1 teams can’t fine a new home.

Geno tried so hard to get us another post player. The good all said no. Can’t remember all of the players but Iriafin and Baers (spelling) went to USC and Oklahoma. With Ice Brady out at the wrong time of the year we could have used any post that was available for one season.