Sports: UConn’s Megan Walker leaving school early to enter WNBA draft

Storrs — UConn's Megan Walker, the 2020 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, announced Saturday that she will for forgo her final year of eligibility and declare for the upcoming WNBA Draft.

Walker, a 6-foot-1 junior forward from Chesterfield, Va., led the Huskies in scoring (19.7 pointers per game) and averaged 8.4 points per game. She was also named Most Outstanding Player of the recent AAC tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena.

She scored 1,251 points in three seasons at UConn and is projected to be a first round pick in the WNBA draft. The draft is currently scheduled to held April 17, but could change because of coronavirus concerns.

"After much consideration and thought with my family, I have decided to forgo my senior season and enter the WNBA draft," Walker said in a statement released by the UConn athletic department. "Due to the unfortunate circumstances that caused the cancellation of the NCAA tournament, it saddens me that I was not able to finish my junior season

way that I would have liked. I am, however, ready to move on to the next phase of my life and career.

"I would like to thank the University of Connecticut, my coaches, teammates, and the athletic staff for their support and for embracing me over the last three years. Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank the fans for all their support and making me feel loved over my UConn career. I will forever be a Husky and wish the best for UConn in the future.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma, in the same release, said, "During a player's college career, they're working towards certain goals, and when you have an opportunity to reach a certain goal that you set for yourself, I think it's important that you have an opportunity to take it.

"Meg's decided this is the right time for her to take advantage of this opportunity. Obviously, she had an incredible season this year and is incredibly talented. We support her 100 percent and we're going to support her going forward. We wish her the best of luck as she begins her pro career."

Walker, ranked the No. 1 player coming out of high school by espnW in2017, is the third player in program history to leave school with eligibility, but the first to declare after just three seasons.

Ex-Huskies Morgan Tuck and Azura Stevens both left with one year of eligibility remaining after playing four seasons.

“Meg’s decided this is the right time for her to take advantage of this opportunity. Obviously, she had an incredible season this year and is incredibly talented. We support her 100 percent and we’re going to support her going forward.” UCONN COACH GENO AURIEMMA

SARAH GORDON/THE DAY UConn’s Megan Walker, right, battles Cincinnati’s Angel Rizor for a rebound during Monday’s American Athletic Conference tournament championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena. Walker, the AAC Player of the Year and Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, is leaving the Huskies after three seasons to enter the WNBA draft.

MIKE CARLSON/AP PHOTO UConn’s Megan Walker, left, drives past South Florida’s Shae Leverett during the second half of a game on Sunday, Feb. 16, in Tampa, Fla. Walker a junior forward and the 2020 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, announced Saturday she is leaving UConn a year early to enter next month’s WNBA draft.