Geno Auriemma voices relief over UConn's roster depth following Kayleigh Heckel, Serah Williams' transfer 

Geno Auriemma voiced relief over the UConn Huskies having a loaded lineup heading into the 2025-26 NCAA season. The legendary coach discussed the Huskies' roster depth following the transfers of Serah Williams and Kayleigh Heckel during a chat with reporters at the Geno for the Kids Charity Golf Tournament.

A reporter brought up UConn's stacked lineup during the media availability session, telling Auriemma that the Huskies have 15 players with scholarships on his roster for the first time in a while.

"When you have 15 players, nobody ever gets hurt, knock on wood," Auriemma said. "When you have 10 or 11 players, six of them always get hurt. So I don’t know what to tell you. I just know that the circumstances have led to – we have a full roster. "We have the maximum allowed. Is that what it’s going to be like next year, the year after year after that? No. I don’t think I can say that. It’s not feasible in today’s day and age. I think you have to settle on these are the 12 and let’s go with it. But this year we’re at 15," he added.

Ten players will be returning to the Huskies this coming season, including KK Arnold, Jana El-Alfy, Allie Ziebell, Ashlynn Shade, Sarah Strong, Morgan Cheli, Ice Brady, Caroline Ducharme, Ayanna Patterson and Azzi Fudd.

The Huskies also have a talented Class of 2025 with incoming freshmen Bianca Quinonez, Kelis Fisher and Gandy Malou-Mamel making the final roster.

How Geno Auriemma's recruits Serah Williams and Kayleigh Heckel fared in 2024-25 NCAA season

Geno Auriemma is hungry for more NCAA titles. He strengthened the Huskies' lineup following the departure of UConn legend Paige Bueckers, securing the commitments of Serah Williams and Kayleigh Heckel.

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma receives the WBCA Coaches’ trophy after the Huskies defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks in the national championship game of the 2025 NCAA tournament. Photo: Imagn

Williams led the Wisconsin Badgers in scoring and rebounding last season, averaging 19.2 points and 9.8 boards. She also displayed her defensive prowess, averaging a team-best 2.3 blocks in the 2024-25 campaign.

Read More: “Her nickname is Big Fish”: Geno Auriemma heaps praise for UConn freshmen Kelis Fisher and Gandy Malou-Mamel

Heckel also posted solid numbers in her freshman year at USC, averaging 6.1 ppg and 1.9 apg through 34 games. She also was a menace on the defensive end, averaging 1.3 spg last season.

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Edited by Veer Badani