Comings and goings in Storrs
Women’s sophomore Makurat entering transfer portal
UConn women’s basketball sophomore guard Anna Makurat has decided to transfer, the school announced Tuesday.
“We appreciate Anna for her efforts and for being a great teammate the last two seasons,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said in a statement. “We wish Anna and her family the best as she continues her collegiate career.”
Makurat, a native of Poland, played in just nine regular-season games before missing the rest of the season with a stress fracture in her right leg. She returned in the Big East Conference Tournament and played just 10.5 minutes per game through the NCAA Tournament. She played a postseason-high 17 minutes against Syracuse in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, seven against Baylor in the Elite Eight and three against Arizona in the Final Four.
She appeared in 16 games total this season, starting six, and averaged 3.7 points 40% shooting (31% from 3) and 2.3 assists per game. She was named to the AAC All-Freshmanteamayear ago after averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
“I came to the US two years ago to pursue playing basketball at the highest level,” Makurat wrote in an Instagram post. “I’ve learned so much about myself on and off the court at UConn. I’d like to thank my coaches and teammates for supporting me through everything in Storrs. You’ve helped me become a better person and player.”
Makurat scored a season-best 12 points against Creighton on Dec. 17. Auriemma credited her for calling out the team’s play against Baylor in the Elite Eight when the
team was trailing by double-digits in the third quarter.
“[Makurat] said ‘You guys need to change the look on your face,’ ”
Auriemma said. “... and she did it in English, I didn’t even know she knew what to say. I turned around and said, ‘Even she knows it.’ ”
Makurat’s playing time next season was not guaranteed. With the influx of five-star guards Azzi Fudd and Caroline Ducharme and four-star guard Saylor Poffenberger (an early enrollee this season) next season minutes in the Huskies’ backcourt will be sparse as Paige Bueckers, Christyn Williams and Nike Muhl return.