Four UConn WBB stars land Preseason All-Big East honors
Four players from the UConn Huskies' star-studded roster made the Preseason All-Big East team on Wednesday. Redshirt junior Azzi Fudd joined sophomores Kamorea Arnold and Ashlynn Shade on the team, while Princeton transfer Kaitlyn Chen earned an honorable mention.
Creighton Bluejays' senior duo Lauren Jensen and Morgan Maly earned their places in the team, along with Providence Friars' Olivia Olsen and Grace Efosa.
Butler Bulldogs guard Caroline Strande and St. John's Red Storm guard Ber'Nyah Mayo, entering their final season of eligibility, rounded up the team.
While Fudd missed the first two games last season, her impressive form later on merited a place in the team.
Arnold seized the opportunity from injuries to Fudd and her seniors, making the All-Big East Freshman Team by averaging 8.9 points, 3.2 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals in 35 appearances.
Shade joined Arnold in the All-Big East Freshman team and was named the Big East Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 34 appearances.
While Chen will be making her debut in the Big East, she earned the honorable mention after her last season at Princeton.
UConn star Paige Bueckers, who was not included in the team, was named the Big East Preseason Player of the Year for the second time. In addition, Sarah Strong, the top overall prospect in the Class of 2024, was named the Big East Freshman of the Year.
UConn tipped to win the Big East this season
The UConn Huskies are tipped to win the Big East regular season title for the fifth season in a row, according to the Preseason women's basketball Coaches Poll. Geno Auriemma's side received 100 points and 10 first-place votes.
The Huskies overcame an injury crisis last season and made the Final Four of March Madness.
The Huskies, who haven't won a national championship since 2016, will begin their quest to end their nine-year drought with a home game against the Boston University Terriers on November 7.