KK Arnold shares how Paige Bueckers and Aaliyah Edwards led freshmen class amidst injury ridden season for UConn
KK Arnold has emerged as one of the top freshmen in the UConn Huskies' 2023-24 season. Amid an unprecedented injury crisis that saw the Huskies lose some of their regular starters, the Wisconsin native seized her opportunity, playing a key role in the Huskies' backcourt.
Taking on such responsibility as a freshman can seem daunting, but Arnold had help. During an appearance on the "Listen Up" podcast earlier today (October 13), the talented guard revealed how her seniors, Paige Bueckers and Aaliyah Edwards, gave her and the rest of the 2024 freshman class advice, mentally preparing them for the challenge ahead.
"Being thrown in there was something we didn't expect at all, especially our whole freshman class," Arnold said. (1:25)
"So, just having to step up and having upper classmen like Paige, Nika and Aaliyah, and just everybody that had got injured, give us advice, like every game. And just knowing that in ourselves that we can play just as high as everybody else can and just believing in ourselves, was kind of something that pushed us through the whole season."
"Just kind of a mindset that we can afford to mess up, but we can't afford to just go like go out there and make minor mistakes, but we just have to learn from them as we go and as we play. So, it's kind of like, mindset that I had."
KK Arnold proved her mettle in her freshman year
Injuries to regular starters Azzi Fudd and Caroline Ducharme gave KK Arnold the opportunity to start in the Huskies backcourt alongside Bueckers, who returned from an ACL injury that kept her out of the 2023-24 season.
While Bueckers stole the show with her impressive scoring consistency, Arnold held her own against the best of the best in women's college basketball. In 33 starts, she averaged 8.9 rebounds, 3.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.3 steals.
She finished as the Huskies' season leader in steals (90) while shooting .449 from the field, .318 from the three-point range and .654 from the free-throw line. Her exploits earned her a place in the Big East All-Freshman Team and played a key role in the Huskies' run to the Final Four.
Entering her sophomore season, Arnold will be expected to do more by Huskies fans. Whether she can live up to the billing, only time will tell.