UConn lands top-5 recruit
Shade is Huskies’ second Class of 2023 commit
Ashlynn Shade, the No. 5 recruit in the Class of 2023 per ESPN, committed to UConn Wednesday morning.
The 5-foot-9 guard becomes the Huskies’ second commit for the Class of 2023, following Kamorea “KK” Arnold’s commitment in the fall.
Shade, from Noblesville, Ind., posted her announcement on Twitter.
“I would first like to thank all the college coaches that took the time to develop our relationship as player and coach. I am grateful for the opportunities that they had provided me through this process,” Shade said on her announcement. “Additionally I want to thank my family because they have been my rock and my circle throughout this entire process and I am truly thankful to have them by my side.”
Shade thanked her high school and club coaches along with her teammates for supporting her before making her commitment official: “With that being said I am continuing my academic and athletic career at the University of Connecticut! I am truly grateful to join the UConn family!! LET’S GO HUSKY NATION!!”
Shade was in attendance at UConn’s home game against Creighton on Sunday. She chose UConn over Notre Dame, Tennessee, Stanford, Vanderbilt, North
Carolina, Louisville and Indiana.
She averaged 21 points as a freshman, and 24 points and more than eight rebounds per game as a sophomore. Shade led her team to the Indiana sectional title last year.
This season, she is averaging 20.8 points, 9.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists. On Tuesday, she scored a season-high 34 points with 11 rebounds. It was her third 30-point game and ninth double-double of the season, according to the Indianapolis Star.
“I like the history behind the school and how competitive their basketball program was and currently still is,” Shade said of UConn in an August story in the Star. ” want to play at a high level, so I like that aspect of it.”
Shade is the second Indiana player to recently commit to UConn. Homestead High senior Ayanna Patterson signed with the Huskies and will join the program in the fall.