KK Arnold compares 'following Nika Muhl, Paige Bueckers & Aaliyah Edwards' as UConn freshman with 'leadership role' in 2025
KK Arnold is ready to take the next step in her young basketball career. She discussed her current role with the No. 2 UConn Huskies in a media briefing before Tuesday's game against the Holy Cross Crusaders.
Arnold shared her thoughts after she was asked to compare her role with the Huskies this season to last year.
“It’s more of a leadership role in terms of me knowing what to call out and do on the court. Get everybody in. Huddle them up. Different things that forced me to step out of my comfort zone, compared to last year when I was behind the scenes and following Nika [Muhl], Paige [Bueckers] and Aaliyah [Edwards]," Arnold said.
Arnold impressed in her first season with the Huskies, averaging 8.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.3 steals through 39 games. She helped UConn reach the Final Four where they lost to Iowa in heart-breaking fashion. She recorded 14 points, five assists and five steals in the 71-69 defeat.
KK Arnold and UConn's other sophomores ready to step up in 2024-25 season
Much is expected from UConn's sophomore class for the Huskies to return to the Final Four again. Arnold talked about how she, Ashlynn Shade and Qadence Samuels are dealing with the added responsibilities.
“We definitely all embrace it. I have good talks with Paige as well. I’m just picking her brain up on how she talks to us and communicates with us. She leads by example, and that is something me, Ash and Q try to do during practice: defensive intensity, using our voice and rallying up the energy,” Arnold said.
The Huskies are off to a strong start this season, winning their first six games by an average of 29.7 points. The same can't be said, however, for Arnold, who's averaging just 3.3 points, 3.2 assists and 2.2 rebounds during that stretch.
Shade and Samuels also have modest numbers in their second season with the Huskies, averaging 7.0 and 2.8 points, respectively.
Arnold and Shade played limited minutes in UConn's 73-60 win over the No. 18 Ole Miss Rebels in the Baha Mar Women's Championship. They each scored two points in the final on Wednesday.