UConn women notebook: Wisconsin recruit Arnold picks UConn

Carl Adamec, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·3 min read

Nov. 23—The UConn women's basketball team landed its first recruit from Wisconsin on Monday.

Kamorea "KK" Arnold — , a 5-foot-6 junior guard from Germantown, Wisconsin — made her verbal commitment to attend UConn on Monday. She had a long list of finalists including Baylor, Duke, Florida, Kentucky, Louisville, Big East rival Marquette, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, which is coached by former UConn assistant Marisa Moseley.

"It felt like a good time before the season to do this and now I can just play ball with my teammates," Arnold said during her announcement put on YouTube by W7 Productions.

"What really tipped it toward UConn is the competitive style they have, the competitive nature. Then overall, when I hung out with the players I felt super comfortable around them and the coaching staff is really great. Of course, I want to be part of something great and something to build my game to the next level beyond college basketball."

Arnold is the Huskies' first commitment from the Class of 2023. She is rated the No. 8 recruit by ESPN.

As a sophomore at Germantown High, Arnold averaged 22.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 3.8 in leading her team to a 29-1 record and the Division I state championship. She scored 31 points on 12-for-18 shooting and added seven assists in a 63-48 win over Hudson in the final.

This summer she was a member of USA Basketball's national team that won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas U-16 Championship in Léon, Mexico. In five games, she averaged 5.6 points and 2.0 rebounds.

Another top-10 recruit, junior forward Ciera Toomey of Dunmore, Pennsylvania — rated No. 3 in the Class of 2023 — attended the Huskies' season opener with Arkansas on Nov. 14.

Learning experience

UConn freshman guard Azzi Fudd had a breakout game against South Florida Sunday, scoring 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting from 3-point land.

South Carolina was paying attention.

Fudd managed to get only one shot off, a miss, in 10 minutes in the second-ranked Huskies' 73-57 loss to the No. 1 Gamecocks in the Battle 4 Atlantis final Monday.

"Every time she came into the game they went out of their way to make sure they went right at her," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "We tried to play a defense that could help protect that. But we couldn't.

"We have to find ways to get her open more."

The Huskies' bench managed only two points, a third-quarter layup by Dorka Juhasz. Sophomore forward Mir McLean got her first action of the season, grabbing a rebound in her two minutes. Sophomore guard Nika Muhl also played only two minutes.

The reserves could get some help by the time they play their next game. Junior forward Aubrey Griffin missed her fourth straight game Monday with a high-ankle sprain, but Auriemma said he hopes she can practice fully next week before UConn opens Big East play at Seton Hall Dec. 3.

Homecoming game?

UConn has started talks with the University of Minnesota to try and set up a homecoming game for Minnesota native Paige Bueckers.

The Huskies defeated the Golden Gophers 88-58 in a first-round game Saturday.

Minnesota was receptive to the idea and discussions will continue to have UConn bring its sophomore guard home for a game. But as UConn fans know from past experiences with these kind of games, they are not always easy to put together.

The Huskies could play in Minnesota this season, if they reach the 2022 NCAA Final Four to be held at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

For coverage of all sports in the JI's 18-town coverage area, plus updates on the UConn women's basketball team and head coach Geno Auriemma, follow Carl Adamec on Twitter: @CarlAdamec, Facebook: Carl Adamec, and Instagram: @CarlAdamec.