Connect with us

Sports

UConn Lands USC Transfer Guard Heckel to Complete Roster

Published

on

Kayleigh Heckel Basketball Usc Transfer

STORRS, Conn. – The University of Connecticut women’s basketball team has officially completed its roster for the 2025-26 season. On May 20, the Huskies announced the addition of Kayleigh Heckel, a transfer guard from USC, who will fill the final available scholarship spot.

Heckel, a sophomore from Port Chester, New York, is the second backcourt addition for UConn in as many years. Last off-season, the team recruited Kaitlyn Chen from Princeton. Heckel comes to UConn after averaging 6.1 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals in her freshman year with the Trojans.

She will serve as a backup point guard, providing essential ball-handling support behind KK Arnold. Without Heckel’s arrival, the Huskies would have had to rely on players like Azzi Fudd, Morgan Cheli, and Kelis Fisher, who lack experience as true point guards, raising concerns for the upcoming season.

UConn was not a top choice for Heckel during her high school recruitment; her final options then included Alabama, Stanford, Tennessee, and USC. However, she expressed her excitement about joining the Huskies through an Instagram post featuring her in UConn gear, stating, “k9 by name, husky by nature. see you in storrs! go huskiesss💙🤍#committed #backhome #blessed.”

Heckel’s transfer marks a shift in UConn’s recruitment strategy, as the team recently secured two undergraduates — Heckel and rising senior Serah Williams from Wisconsin. Prior to this season, the last four transfers were graduate players.

With the Huskies still celebrating their recent NCAA national championship victory, there are notable challenges ahead as key players like Paige Bueckers and Kaitlyn Chen have moved on. The coaching staff, led by Geno Auriemma, is gearing up to adapt the roster, and Heckel’s skills may significantly contribute to their efforts to defend their title.

As the season approaches, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how Heckel fits into UConn’s lineup and whether she can carve out a role in the starting rotation.