Star senior Aaliyah Edwards announced that the 2023-24 season will be her last with the UConn women’s basketball team, declaring for this year’s WNBA Draft in a video posted to social media on Thursday.
Edwards was named a second-team USBWA All-American and earned an honorable mention nod from the Associated Press this week amid her best season as a Husky. The 6-foot-3 forward is averaging 17.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game shooting 59.4% from the field — all career highs. She is a finalist for the Katrina McClain Award for the nation’s top power forward and one of 15 players selected for the Wooden Award’s national ballot.
“I have absolutely no regrets committing to this program and this legacy. It’s been the best decision ever,” Edwards said in the video. “We’ve achieved a ton, but hey, there’s still one big goal waiting for us. We’re not done yet.
“Although I’ve got to savor every moment because this is my last jam at UConn, I’m all in and ready to bring that championship glory back to Storrs with my squad by my side. Let’s have one last dance.”
Last dance 💙🐺
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11#bleedblue#focusedforward#family pic.twitter.com/qeFP2kP3Xa
— Aaliyah Edwards (@AaliyahEdwards_) March 21, 2024
Edwards’ “last dance” begins with UConn’s first-round game in the NCAA Tournament against 14-seed Jackson State on Saturday (1 p.m., ABC) at Gampel Pavilion. The 3-seed Huskies will travel cross-country to the Portland regional if they advance to the Sweet 16 for a 31st consecutive season.
All of UConn’s seniors have now announced their plans for next season, with two staying for another year of eligibility. Superstar guard Paige Bueckers will be back after redshirting in 2022-23 with a torn ACL, and Aubrey Griffin will return for her sixth year after tearing her ACL in January. Bueckers is in the midst of a remarkable comeback season, averaging a career-high 21.3 points on 53.8% shooting from the field plus 4.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.
Point guard Nika Muhl, who had an addition season of eligibility thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, will leave the Huskies alongside Edwards. Muhl also earned All-American honorable mention honors from the AP, the first national recognition of her college career. The senior ranks second all-time at UConn in career assists and is averaging 7.1 points, 6.4 assists, four rebounds and a steal this year.