Big Decisions Shape Huskies’ Future
The Story: The UConn men will benefit from the return of Isaiah Whaley as a super senior next season while the women will take a hit with the loss of sharpshooting Anna Makurat.
GUESS WHO’S BACK! Whaley decided to take advantage of the extra year offered by the NCAA as a result of the pandemic to return to UConn, and he announced it in an excellent way, channeling his inner John Wick in a tweet. We were really hoping Whaley would be back, but it seemed like a dream. Given how much he had developed over the last two seasons, it seemed like he could strike it rich while his stock was high and head off to a career in the G League or overseas. But the pandemic has screwed up … well, a lot, tbh … and Whaley recognized he could benefit from another year at UConn. The Huskies are lucky to have him.
DEPTH SORELY NEEDED: The Huskies lost Josh Carlton, who opted to use his extra year at Houston, and Javonte Brown chose to transfer to Texas A&M early in the season. That leaves Whaley, Adama Sanogo, Akok Akok and Richie Springs in the frontcourt, and incoming freshman Samson Johnson, the No. 70 player and No. 12 center according to the 247Sports Composite, will also vie for playing time. But Whaley, who was the only player to start all 23 games for the Huskies last season, averaged eight points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.9 percent in 27.4 minutes. His experience and work ethic will be invaluable.
WHAT DID HURLEY SAY? “Isaiah has worked extremely hard to become one of the most productive players in our program. His tireless work ethic, his leadership, and his attitude epitomize the type of player we want at UConn. I couldn’t be happier to welcome him back for another season.”
WHAT DID WHALEY SAY? “I am very excited to be able to return to UConn for another season,” said Whaley, who will graduate in May with a degree in Urban and Community Studies. “I think we took a big step forward this year and I want to help the program continue its rise as we go after championships.”
MAKURAT DEPARTING: Whereas Whaley has a defined role on his team, leading to his decision to return, the same can’t be said for Makurat, who will leave the Huskies after two seasons. Makurat’s departure seemed to be a foregone conclusion over the weekend when Evina Westbrook declined to enter the WNBA Draft. Hampered by a leg injury almost all season, Makurat lost her starting role to Nika Muhl and fell out of Geno Auriemma‘s shortened rotation in the NCAA Tournament. She averaged 7.9 points, had three 20-point games and shot 41 percent from 3-point range in 26.5 minutes as a freshman. As a sophomore, she averaged 3.9 points per game and shot 31.7 percent from 3-point range in 20.4 minutes a game. She would lose even more playing time after Azzi Fudd‘s arrival, so we can understand her decision.
WHAT DID MAKURAT SAY? “Thank you to my teammates and coaches at UConn for supporting me for the last two seasons. I’ve grown a lot both on and off the court in my first two years in America. I wish everyone the best at UConn, and I am excited for my next chapter.”
Morning Reads
THIS ONE’S A HOOT: The football team has scheduled a home-and-home series with Florida Atlantic, which will allow it to continue to showcase its program in the South Florida recruiting hotbed. They’ll play in 2024 and 2026. (Sun-Sentinel)
ON A TEAR: After trailing by five runs entering the bottom of the seventh, the baseball team recovered to beat Bryant 9-8 at home yesterday afternoon to pick up a fifth consecutive win and its ninth in its last 10 games. (UConnHuskies.com)
VIRUS PAUSES: The men’s soccer team, women’s soccer team and softball team have all had games scheduled for this weekend canceled because of COVID-19.
