UConn Womens basketball head coach award Aaliyah Edwards for her good hard work.

UConn Womens basketball head coach award Aaliyah Edwards for her good hard work.

It looks like Aaliyah Edwards is going to fulfill another dream.

The Ontario native had a great four years as a member of the UConn Huskies, and now she is expected to be selected in the first round in the Monday WNBA selection.

With the illustrious NCAA school, the 6-foot-3 big was a two-time all-American and concluded her senior season with career highs of 17.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.

“I’ve always wanted to be a professional athlete and play in the WNBA,” Edwards stated to reporters during a Zoom availability last week. It’s absurd to see my name on such lists and anticipated top five rankings. I would say “no way” if you asked me when I was ten years old.

Simultaneously, it’s humble since, despite the fact that my name is known,

more accurately, it’s a testament to all of my dedication and hard work behind the scenes in the game that I love. I will thus simply enter the draft feeling fortunate for whatever result comes my way and really appreciative of the recognition that comes with it.

On March 21, Edwards announced her candidacy for the draft, calling the most recent NCAA women’s basketball tournament her “last dance.” Before UConn lost a close game against Iowa in the end, she helped lead the Huskies to a Final Four trip.

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, Edwards, 21, lost her one year of remaining college eligibility and declared she was ready to move on.

Aaliyah Edwards of UConn shoots during An NCAA practice, perhaps?

On Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Cleveland, during practice for the NCAA Women’s Final Four semifinal basketball game, Aaliyah Edwards of UConn shoots. Photo credit: Carol Kaster/AP

“Making the decision to cross the border and how much I’ve accomplished here at UConn have both been huge dreams for me,” the woman remarked. Making the decision to leave your family and your home behind in order to adjust to a new environment and a new transition is not an easy one.

“I was able to hone my interpersonal skills in addition to my basketball court skills. I can say that UConn helped me prepare for the professional world and opened up a lot of avenues for me.

and prepared for my professional journey’s next phase.

Edwards might make history by being the first Canadian to be called in the first round for two years in a row. In the previous year’s draft, Laeticia Amihere was selected eighth overall.

At UConn, Edwards had a breakout junior season, averaging 16.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest while playing a key role in the Huskies’ victory despite injuries.

Iowa player Hannah is overtaken by UConn forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) in a shot.
On Friday, April 5, 2024, in Cleveland, during the first half of a Final Four college basketball game in the women’s NCAA Tournament, UConn forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) shoots over Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke. Photo by AP/Morry Gash

She was chosen first team all-Big East and third team all-America by AP.

squad, the 2022–2023 Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and the Big East Most Improved Player.

Was this what I was expecting? No, Edwards said in reference to her own honors. “As I’m a team player, I’ll do everything it takes to help the team win at the end of the day and to make an impact in any way I can; therefore, the recognition I receive from receiving individual awards and accolades only serves to motivate me to perform better.”

There have been several improvements along with her accomplishment.

In a phone interview, Canadian senior women’s assistant coach Steve Baur stated, “I think Aaliyah is going to be a great pro.” She’s come a long way defensively over the past few years, but I believe her offensive game is where she’s truly blossomed.