Former UConn star Aaliyah Edwards is now a member of the Washington Mystics. And now, Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma needs someone to fill in an immensely important frontcourt spot if they want to go deep into March Madness yet again.
That said, here are five potential players that UConn can target this offseason to replace Aaliyah Edwards.
#5 Raegan Beers (Transfer from OK State)
If UConn needs Aaliyah Edwards` spot filled up fast, then they can`t go wrong with former Oklahoma State star Raegan Beers.
The 6-foot-4 sophomore is ranked among the best (if not the best) players in the WBB transfer portal this year, mainly because she could just make an impact outright--especially for UConn (via 247Sports).
Beers was a double-double machine for the Beavs (17.5 points, 10.3 rebounds) and was the second-most efficient scorer in the nation at 66.4% FG shooting.
What`s even better is that she`s still incredibly young and a potential cornerstone for UConn for years to come.
#4 Liza Karlen (Transfer from Marquette)
Former Marquette Golden Eagle Liza Karlen is another great frontcourt option for UConn women`s basketball to fill in Edwards` spot.
She entered the portal in early April and hasn`t made her destination clear yet, but the Huskies could definitely use someone with her skillset.
In 32 total games for Marquette, Karlen posted 17.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 31 minutes of game time on average. These are excellent numbers which basically got wasted in a sub-par team that got eliminated in the first round of the Big Dance.
A winning situation in UConn could definitely improve her numbers more, especially with an elite passer in Paige Bueckers feeding the ball to her down low.
#3 Liatu King (Transfer from Pitt)
A former All-ACC First Team and ACC Most Improved Player of the Year awardee, Liatu King is leaving Pitt and is another great frontcourt target for UConn women`s basketball this offseason.
King averaged an excellent double-double for the Panthers this season (18.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG), leading the team in scoring, rebounding, steals, and blocks per game. Switching to a winning culture with UConn women`s basketball could do wonders for her career prospects.
#2 Ice Brady (Freshman)
A 6-foot-3 freshman, Ice Brady already saw considerable minutes for UConn women`s basketball this year, averaging 4.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.
Seeing a good chunk of action in March Madness likely helped Brady`s confidence a lot heading into her second season at Storrs.
That said, she has the potential to be UConn women`s basketball`s next double-double threat--especially with Paige Bueckers running the offense.
#1 Amari DeBerry (Junior)
Amari DeBerry is UConn`s tallest player on their roster, and if Ice Brady is going to get her major minutes, then DeBerry should be the consensus backup.
She appeared in 23 total games for the Huskies last season and only averaged a single point on around four and a half minutes per contest. But her time should be now, assuming Geno Auriemma doesn`t look to the portal to fill his team`s frontcourt needs.
DeBerry didn`t see action in the NCAA Tournament, but Aaliyah Edwards` departure should open things up far more for her to get considerable reps in.
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