The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Recharged, revitalized
Makurat a changed player after challenging freshman year
On March 24, 12 days after the NCAA Tournament was canceled, Anna Makurat began her nearly 4,000-mile journey back home to Poland. She would fly to Chicago to meet her older sister, Ola, a thenredshirt junior on the Utah women’s basketball team, and together they would board one of the last flights out of the United States before the travel ban was enforced amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the trip was finally over, Makurat unwound and reconnected with family she hadn’t seen in months.
“I tried to rest,” she said Monday during a Zoom conference call. “I tried to prepare my body, spend some time at home as much as I could with my family, and get ready mentally for next season.”
On the heels of a challenging freshman season in which she went from Game 2 starter to the bench and back for UConn, Makurat’s
primary focus was on getting in better shape.
Back in Poland, Makurat hired a nutritionist to overhaul her diet and exercise routines. She also worked out with the Polish national team for three weeks. She emphasized getting stronger and quicker, realizing that she’d held herself back in both areas during her first year with the Huskies.
Expectations were unquestionably high for the 6-foot-1 guard, who’d played professionally in her home country against WNBA veterans. She was billed as a strong shooter with a mature IQ, but her game didn’t translate at first. Her shot suffered, as did her confidence, and she was benched early in the season.
“I didn’t feel great last season. I think it pushed me down a little bit because I was thinking about being tired,” Makurat said. “I think being in better shape will really help me with focusing on the little things
on the court and be a better basketball player.”
Despite initial concerns about her ability to return to campus on time because of travel restrictions, Makurat arrived a few weeks ago, around the same time as fellow international players Aaliyah Edwards (Canada) and Nika Muhl (Croatia). Makurat, 20, is currently sharing an apartment with junior Olivia Nelson-Ododa and freshmen Mir McLean and Edwards. They are considered “pod” mates. For the time being, as per coronavirus protocols, they’re not allowed to practice or interact with other players on the team.
“It was a little bit scary because there were so many unknowns,” Makurat said. “I definitely wanted to get back to campus as everybody else and be with my team to prepare for a new season.”
For the most part, they haven’t done much more than elementary skill work with the coaching staff thus far. Nevertheless, Makurat’s peers say there’s a noticeable difference in her play.
“Her conditioning level is a complete 180,” coach Geno Auriemma said.
“There’s even a physical change you can see with her body,” said NelsonOdoda, adding that Makurat seems more comfortable. “I think that’s the most exciting part is just seeing how hard she’s worked in the offseason and how she’s worked at home. Being able to see that in person and her being more comfortable is really fun to watch.”
Makurat said her confidence began to grow toward the middle of last season, and it showed. She rejoined the starting lineup Feb. 7 against Memphis, and while she scored only two points, she dished out 11 assists — two shy of the program’s single-game record — in a 94-55 victory. She rounded out the season averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists and was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Freshman Team.
“I started to do what I’m capable of doing on the court,” Makurat said. “I didn’t hesitate, I didn’t think about things too much. I was more comfortable, and I just played basketball.”