Returning as a more polished product
Olympic experience has given Edwards greater confidence
NEW YORK — UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma is always eager to see a jump in play among his sophomores.
With a year in Storrs under their belts, second-year players fully know what to expect from Auriemma and his staff, and some have robust game experience not all freshmen can boast.
UConn sophomores don’t usually come back to campus as Olympians, but Aaliyah Edwards has always been one to stand out.
Edwards, a 6-foot-3 forward from Kingston, Ontario, returns fresh off her Olympic debut with Team Canada, where she was the youngest member of a team that went 1-2 and failed to advance out of group play. Nonetheless, the summer was an opportunity for her to hone her game alongside some of the world’s very best, an experience that Edwards and Auriemma hope will translate into an elevated level of play this season.
“It was an amazing experience. I’m very grateful for it,” Edwards said. “I think what I took most out of it is just how to be professional.
“Being in that atmosphere with a whole bunch of elite athletes and their dedication and determination for the past four years just to get to that point — you can really see it in the way they talk, the way
they move and the way they [are when] you’re around them. It was
amazing to soak up that experience.”
Edwards, who turned 19 over the summer and had previously played with the senior Canadian national team, was familiar with her teammates, who included WNBA stars Natalie Achonwa, Bridget Carleton and former Husky Kia
Nurse, along with several current U.S. college players. Running into the likes of Rudy Gobert, Pau Gasol and the U.S. women’s national team left her a bit more starstruck and prompted her to realize, “I’m among those athletes, and I can consider myself an Olympian as well.”
Edwards was training with Team Canada all summer and didn’t get to see her UConn teammates until the start of the school year. Watching from afar, her friends thought the whole thing was pretty cool too.
“I mean, it’s Aaliyah; that’s our
something pop in his left forearm and came out of the game. Tests the next day showed a partial tear in the elbow.
Crawford is consulting with doctors for the best course and which doctor might perform surgery.
He has been in touch with several former Huskies who have had the surgery, including major leaguers Anthony Kay, a firstround pick in 2016, and Scott Oberg.
Recovery from Tommy John surgery is 12 to 18 months. Crawford, who hit .309 with 14 home runs and 78 RBIs in 64 games at UConn, could have the option of DHing next season as he rehabs, but Penders said that is not likely to happen with a multimillion signing bonus at stake.
“I’m sure he has that desire, but it’s my job to protect him,” Penders said. “I can’t imagine a scenario where we would entertain that.”
If Crawford has the surgery now, he could be nine months into his rehab by the time of the 2022 MLB draft in July.
“He’s really been the buzz of the scouting community and Major League Baseball, and there is no reason he shouldn’t be one of the top guys taken still in the draft next year,” Penders said.
“... As I told him, as terrible as we all feel, it’s not a tragedy if you don’t throw another pitch in a UConn uniform or swing the bat in a UConn uniform again. It would be a tragedy if we make bad decisions right now and jeopardize what is as close to a guaranteed long career in the major leagues as I’ve ever seen. He has to look out for No. 1, and his teammates want that, too.”