The UConn women’s basketball team has a full roster this season for the first time in more than two decades, adding five newcomers to its 10 returners from last year’s national championship squad. Get to know the 2025-26 Huskies:
No. 2 KK Arnold
5-9, junior guard
The Huskies’ starting point guard will take on a new level of responsibility after coming off the bench in 2024-25. She’ll aim to increase her offensive output after averaging 5.5 points and shooting 21.3% on 3-pointers last year.
No. 4 Blanca Quiñonez
6-2, freshman forward
Quinionez is uniquely experienced as a freshman after playing professionally in Italy since 2020. She brings a combination of size, athleticism and versatility that can make her an instant impact player on both ends.
No. 7 Kelis Fisher
5-9, freshman guard
Fisher, the No. 25 recruit in the Class of 2025, likely won’t play a huge role in her first season, but she can provide a valuable change-of-pace spark off the bench much like Arnold did last year.
No. 8 Jana El Alfy
6-5, redshirt-sophomore center
El Alfy got starting experience last season but struggled with consistency especially on offense. The Huskies need her to take a leap in her second year removed from the Achilles tear that sidelined her in 2023-24.
No. 9 Kayleigh Heckel
5-9, sophomore guard
Heckel will take some time to adjust to UConn’s system, but the USC transfer is a capable passer and shooter with the potential to become a key contributor off the bench.
No. 11 Allie Ziebell
6-0, sophomore guard
Ziebell’s strength is her shooting, though she had limited opportunities to show it last year. She offers extra length in the backcourt and could carve out a bigger role if she becomes a more reliable scorer.
No. 12 Ashlynn Shade
5-10, junior guard
Shade is one of UConn’s most experienced starters and is embracing a new leadership role this year. She shot 41% on 3-pointers last season and is also a consistent one-on-one defender.
No. 21 Sarah Strong
6-2, sophomore forward
Strong had a record-breaking freshman season and is poised to ascend to superstar status this year. The Huskies will run through Strong, who has the opportunity to mix some guard skills into her bag with a deeper forward rotation around her.
No. 22 Serah Williams
6-4, senior forward
Williams is elite in the post both as a scorer and rebounder, and the Wisconsin transfer will be a day 1 starter for the Huskies. She was a two-time first team All-Big Ten selection and the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year with the Badgers.
No. 23 Morgan Cheli
6-2, sophomore guard
Cheli averaged 13.3 minutes per game as a freshman but is still recovering from the ankle injury she sustained in February that required season-ending surgery. There is currently no timeline for her return.
No. 25 Ice Brady
6-3, redshirt-junior forward
Brady has the ceiling to play a significant role off the bench but has struggled with consistency throughout her career. She started 12 games last season and is one of the strongest passers in the team’s frontcourt.
No. 33 Caroline Ducharme
6-2, redshirt-senior guard
Ducharme was sidelined for the majority of the last two seasons due to multiple head and neck injuries, but she is an elite shooter at her best and can be a valuable weapon off the bench if she stays healthy.
No. 34 Ayanna Patterson
6-2, redshirt-sophomore forward
Patterson hasn’t appeared in a game since March 2023 after undergoing knee surgery in Dec. 2023 and shoulder surgery last season. The former five-star recruit is adjusting to being back on the court, but her length and athleticism could be game-changing once she settles in.
No. 35 Azzi Fudd
5-11, graduate guard
The Huskies’ star sharpshooter is the healthiest she’s been in her college career entering this season and aims to build on a spectacular performance at the 2025 Final Four. UConn is looking to Fudd to anchor the backcourt on both ends of the floor.
No. 42 Gandy Malou-Mamel
6-5, freshman center
This is a development year for Malou-Mamel, who signed with the Huskies as the No. 75 recruit in the 2025 class. Her playing time will be limited with a strong frontcourt rotation in front of her.