Media Availability Today -- Wed., June 14th (merged)

[Blakeon18]

I really enjoyed hearing Ashlynn speak...sounds mature and enjoying her intro to UConn.
Uhh...I 'liked' it.

 

[cgshuskie]

What happened to Ayanna Patterson? Isn't she an important part of the team?

 

[BobbyJ]

I think it’s doubtful Paige will be back to even the end of her sophomore year form by the end of the season. By summer 2024 she’ll be closer to freshman year Paige, whether she wants to go into the WNBA at a lower level is anyone’s guess.

What do you base this guess on? Are you involved with or have direct knowledge of her rehab/recovery?

 

[MilfordHusky]

What happened to Ayanna Patterson? Isn't she an important part of the team?

Ayanna had a conflict--either a class or an appointment.

 

[HuskyNan]

My take is these high level athletes don't want to be here longer than they have to. Megan didn't. Tuck didn't. Azura didn't. Even Dorka was out of here until she broke her wrist and didn't want to end her college career like that.

Your source for this info?

 

[HuskyNan]

What do you base this guess on? Are you involved with or have direct knowledge of her rehab/recovery?

People are just throwing out random scenarios, opinions, really, as though they’re facts.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

What do you base this guess on? Are you involved with or have direct knowledge of her rehab/recovery?

It’s not about rehab and recovery, her knee is probably fine right now. It’s about how long it takes most players to return to the level they were out after being out for so long and mentally overcoming the injury. I mean look at Raven Johnson, she just started getting back to the level she was at pre-injury towards the end of South Carolina’s season and she tore hers before the 2022 season.
It’s just the reality of an ACL injury recovery, as Paige herself stated during these press conferences.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

People are just throwing out random scenarios, opinions, really, as though they’re facts.

My comment did start with “I think” - certainly not a fact.

 

[#12in21]

Ayanna had a conflict--either a class or an appointment.

Yes that had been posted, as you pointed out. The question is why didn't we see/hear from Ines? Did she have a class conflict as well? Does anyone have any info on that? Amari, perhaps having recently had surgery, wasn't available as well. Too bad we didn't get to hear from all the players - but I very much enjoyed hearing from practically all of them.

 

[UConnCat]

It’s not about rehab and recovery, her knee is probably fine right now. It’s about how long it takes most players to return to the level they were out after being out for so long and mentally overcoming the injury. I mean look at Raven Johnson, she just started getting back to the level she was at pre-injury towards the end of South Carolina’s season and she tore hers before the 2022 season.
It’s just the reality of an ACL injury recovery, as Paige herself stated during these press conferences.

And Sue Bird tore her ACL in December of her freshman year and started every game her sophomore season, was outstanding and led the team to a national championship. No two acl tears are the same. You just post uninformed guesses which are always negative. It’s predictable and quite funny.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

And Sue Bird tore her ACL in December of her freshman year and started every game her sophomore season, was outstanding and led the team to a national championship. No two acl tears are the same. You just post uninformed guesses which are always negative. It’s predictable and quite funny.

Ok but it doesn’t really change my opinion on Paige returning after almost two full seasons on the sideline.

 

[oldude]

I think it’s doubtful Paige will be back to even the end of her sophomore year form by the end of the season. By summer 2024 she’ll be closer to freshman year Paige, whether she wants to go into the WNBA at a lower level is anyone’s guess.

Sports are full of stories where athletes came back from torn ACL's to be better than ever. As a UConn WBB fan, I have two words for you....SUE BIRD!!!

 

[Zarathustra]

LOL, when I searched for Amari, this came up. Love this play

Definitely one of my favorite highlight reels: "Deberry to a cutting Bettencourt"! Just
like Geno drew it up!