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Sarah Strong and Blanca Quinonez of the UConn Huskies play against the\u00a0Creighton Bluejays during the first half of a semifinal game of the Big East Women\u2019s Basketball Tournament at Mohegan Sun on March 08, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Joe Buglewicz\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
UConn guard Blanca Quinonez, center left, and UConn forward Sarah Strong, center top right, pressure Notre Dame guard Iyana Moore, center bottom right, in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo\/Jessica Hill)<\/p>\n
Jessica Hill\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
UConn center Jana El Alfy, center, fights to maintain control of the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. John’s, Sunday, March 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo\/Angelina Katsanis)<\/p>\n
Angelina Katsanis\/AP<\/p>\n
For the first time in four years and the third time in the past seven, the UConn women\u2019s basketball<\/a> will not be adding any new players via the transfer portal.<\/p>\n The Huskies return 10 players from the 2025-26 season roster next season while adding two incoming freshmen. When preseason practices begin in the fall, it\u2019ll mark the program\u2019s smallest roster in six years (also had 12 during the 2021-22 season). The transfer portal officially closed on Monday, April 20, as the Huskies lost two players: Ayanna Patterson<\/a> (committed to Kentucky) and Ice Brady.<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n That leaves UConn with three available roster spots, but that\u2019s not necessarily a bad thing.<\/p>\n Geno Auriemma<\/a> not a fan of carrying a full scholarship-maximum 15 as he did this season. And his team really didn\u2019t need any reinforcements, nor were there any players in the portal who were a match for his system.<\/p>\n Former Iowa State star center Audi Crooks (now committed to Oklahoma State) was the biggest name in the portal, yet UConn didn\u2019t need any more bigs. The frontcourt is already full with National Player of the Year Sarah Strong<\/a>, Jana El Alfy, Blanca Qui\u00f1onez<\/a>, Gandy Malou-Mamel <\/a>and incoming freshman Olivia Vukosa.<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Make CT Insider a preferred source on Google to see more of our journalism when you search.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Add Preferred Source<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Losing Azzi <\/a>Fudd<\/a>\u2019s scoring (17.3 per game in 2025-26) leaves a void for the Huskies. UConn could have tried to find another experienced scorer to make up for Fudd \u2014 the best available was Florida\u2019s\u00a0Liv McGill (22.5 ppg), who chose Oklahoma State. Yet there weren\u2019t any top 3-point shooters available, and it really wasn’t a drastic need given who the Huskies have returning.<\/p>\n More offensive responsibility will be placed on Strong next season, with the expectation that Qui\u00f1onez becomes more consistent after a year of college ball under her belt. Rising seniors, Ashlynn Shade and KK Arnold, will also be asked to step up even more offensively, along with rising junior Allie Ziebell, who was second on the team after Fudd with a 41.1 3-point field goal percentage.<\/p>\n KK Arnold #2 of the UConn Huskies, Sarah Strong #21 of the UConn Huskies, and Blanca Quinonez #4 of the UConn Huskies react on the bench during the BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament Quarterfinal game between the UConn Huskies and the Georgetown Hoyas on March 7, 2026 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.\u00a0<\/p>\n Icon Sportswire\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n While the Huskies benefited from the extra depth this season, the excess bodies makes it harder for the younger, less skilled players to get meaningful reps during games. Auriemma often runs with a solid six-to-eight player rotation, only bringing in the end-of-the-bench reserves at the end of blowout victories. The impossible balancing act of getting everyone valuable minutes often limits players\u2019 chances at developing their game.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n This year, backup center El Alfy only averaged 11.5 minutes per game playing under senior Serah Williams, while freshman point guard Kelis Fisher only averaged 5.8 minutes per game. Next year, with fewer players ahead of them in the lineup, both are expected to have larger roles.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a deeper look into UConn\u2019s 2026-27 roster:<\/p>\n Replacing Azzi Fudd<\/p>\n Expect Ziebell to become UConn’s best perimeter threat. The 6-foot guard, who came to UConn as a McDonald’s All-American and the No. 7 recruit in the Class of 2024,\u00a0already proved she can be a dependable shooter as a sophomore last season. Against Xavier on Jan. 28, she went off from deep, tying a program single-game record of 10 made 3-pointers for 34 points. She\u2019s UConn\u2019s best returning 3-pointer and is likely to compete for a starting spot early.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n UConn’s Allie Ziebell lines up a shot in the second half of the Big East women’s basketball tournament final against Villanova at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., Monday, March 9, 2026.<\/p>\n Dave Zajac\/Hearst Connecticut Media<\/p>\n Even though her offense wasn\u2019t as consistent as in years past last season,\u00a0Ashlynn Shade can also be an effective outside shooter. In 2024-25, she averaged a 41.1 3-point clip and went 7-of-10 from deep against Iowa State (six of her triples were made in the first quarter).<\/p>\n Replacing Serah Williams<\/p>\n The Huskies lost the 6-4 Williams, but Auriemma\u2019s go-to combination in the post last year was Strong and Qui\u00f1onez. Not only do they have size (Strong is 6-foot-2 while Qui\u00f1onez is taller than her listed height of 6-2), but each can create for themselves on an incredibly high level. Expect those two to remain the top frontcourt contributors, with 6-5 El Alfy likely stepping back into a more consistent role whenever the Huskies need even more size.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n UConn guard Blanca Quinonez (4) celebrates with UConn forward Sarah Strong (21) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Ohio State, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo\/Jessica Hill)<\/p>\n Jessica Hill\/Associated Press<\/p>\n Backing up El Alfy at center will be rising sophomore\u00a0Malou-Mamel (6-5) and incoming freshman\u00a0Vukosa (6-4). Malou-Mamel only played in two games last season; however, from what her teammates say, she\u2019s expected to have a large impact<\/a> this upcoming year.<\/p>\n Vukosa, ESPN’s No. 3-ranked player in the Class of 2026, was the Gatorade National Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American. She\u00a0is an aggressive big who can also shoot from deep<\/a> \u2013 something UConn hasn\u2019t had in a while from a true center.<\/p>\n What’s the point guard rotation?<\/p>\n Arnold will begin her second season as the Huskies\u2019 primary ball handler. The rising senior averaged career-highs in assists (4.6) and steals (2.7) per game last season as she became\u00a0UConn\u2019s best defender.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n UCONN’s KK Arnold, left, limps from the court after an injury in the final minutes of the Huskies’ Big East Tournament women’s basketball quarterfinals game at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 9, 2024. UCONN won the game 86-53. At right is UCONN’s Ashlynn Shade.<\/p>\n Brian A. Pounds\/Hearst Connecticut Media<\/p>\n Just like last year, former USC transfer Kayleigh Heckel will be Arnold\u2019s immediate backup and likely the first player off the bench. Rising sophomore Kelis Fisher and incoming freshman point guard Jovana Popovic will compete for that third spot at point guard.<\/p>\n Fisher didn\u2019t get a lot of minutes to shine this past year because of\u00a0UConn\u2019s depth, while\u00a0Popovic comes to Storrs already with loads of international experience, including at the senior level.<\/p>\n What about Morgan Cheli?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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