UConn WBB injury update: Geno Auriemma discusses latest blow
The injury bug continues to bite the UConn women's basketball team, with redshirt junior Ayanna Patterson suffering another offseason injury. Huskies coach Geno Auriemma confirmed the newest physical setback on Friday, saying that the forward whacked her left shoulder and is still wearing a sling to protect the body part from further injury.
“It’s the dumbest things. I don’t know about Yanna, because she’s still in that sling, so they've got her restricted with her range of motion," Auriemma said (per Hartford Courant).
Hartford Courant's Emily Adams posted a photo on X on Wednesday, showing Patterson and the sling she is wearing.
The 11-time champion coach didn't talk about the timeframe of the forward's injury, making her status questionable for UConn's first nonconference regular season game for the 2024-25 college basketball season against Boston University.
It was not the first time Patterson was placed on the shelf due to injury. Last season, Patterson was sidelined due to patellar tendonitis and underwent surgery in December.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma played with only six healthy players in the 2023-24 season
UConn coach Geno Auriemma has dealt with injuries to his players in the past and managed to keep the Huskies in contention for the Big East Conference title and the NCAA Tournament.
Last season, Auriemma coached with six healthy players on his lineup. Only center Jana El Alfy is likely to return fully healthy among the four players who are set to play this coming season.
"She’s had a couple of really good days," he said. "Jana’s like a bull in a china shop. She’s hard to guard — our practice players have a hard time guarding her. She’s so physical … but she wants to make up for a year and a half of not playing on every possession, so we’re trying to work on that."
Geno Auriemma also spoke about the status of guard Azzi Fudd, who underwent surgery to repair her torn medial meniscus and ACL. He described the former No. 1 prospect as rusty but on her way to return during nonconference play.
Forward Aubrey Griffin (torn ACL) is on pace for a return at the start of 2025, while freshman Morgan Cheli (hamstring) is expected to suit up in the team's opener against Boston University.
UConn held its First Night, a student-focused free event to celebrate the men's and women's basketball teams, on Friday at the Gempel Pavilion.
Fifth-year senior Paige Bueckers was serenaded with cheers from fans as she was the last player introduced. Bueckers, who is expected to be the team's leader this coming season, thanked the fans for supporting the team and called them the best fans in the nation.