“She became like a big sister”: UConn’s Kamorea Arnold talks about invaluable bond with Paige Bueckers

UConn guard Kamorea Arnold shared the invaluable bond with teammate and Huskies star Paige Bueckers, describing the fifth-year senior as a big sister. Arnold discussed the importance of having Bueckers in the team during the "Listen Up" podcast with Phillip Vecera and Ryan Renner on Sunday.

Bueckers announced that she will return for her senior year at UConn during the Huskies Senior Night event in February. Bueckers' decision was big for her younger teammates, especially Arnold.

"It's really big, honestly, and just having her for one more year means a lot," Arnold said. "For me, (who's) just kind of still learning from her and learning different things that she sees in the game of how long she's been in the game." (6:36-6:46)

The 5-foot-9 guard told the hosts she adjusted to the team so fast, and part of it was due to Bueckers, who acted like an older sister to the younger players.

"Coming in like you know I wasn't expecting, of course, like this big relationship," Arnold said. "I thought it was gonna take me like a few weeks. Whatever it took, but I just gravitated towards her like right away. She became like a big sister, of course, like a teammate." (6:47-7:01)

Kamorea Arnold noted that her relationship with Bueckers became closer as the season progressed. She can easily go to her to ask for advice and communicate over the phone.

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Kamorea Arnold was surprised by UConn's decision to insert her in the starting lineup last season

UConn guard Kamorea Arnold admitted that she didn't expect to take a bigger role for the Huskies last season. As the injuries piled up, Arnold was assigned as a starter and fit in perfectly with the team.

Sure enough, the freshman guard was a major contributor for the remainder of the season, tallying averages of 8.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and a team-leading 2.3 steals per game. She scored in double figures for 19 games and was chosen as Big East Player of the Week six times.

Kamorea Arnold was an important piece in the Huskies' run in the NCAA Tournament as she helped the team reach the Final Four. At the end of the season, she was recognized for her efforts by becoming a 2024 Big East All-Freshman Team member.

The guard steps into the 2024-25 college basketball season with a full set of healthy teammates determined to help UConn win its 12th national championship and first since 2016. The Huskies open the season at Harry A. Gempel Pavilion in Storrs against Fort Hays State on Nov. 3 at 12:00 p.m. ET.