In light of recent development read also ………………….
Aaliyah Edwards, a top player for women’s basketball at UConn, is back in Connecticut with the Washington Mystics of the WNBA……
On Friday morning, Aaliyah Edwards stormed in from the other side of the court.
With her back to the camera, Olivia Nelson-Ododa was in the middle of a discussion about Skims, Kim Kardashian’s shapewear brand that currently sponsors the WNBA.
Edwards went all in on Neslon-Ododa, giving her a bear embrace without pausing for thought. When Nelson-Ododa realized it was Edwards, she instantly grabbed onto her more tightly after initially shrieking in shock. Finally, the two former teammates in women’s basketball at UConn got back together.
After playing with Edwards for two years at UConn, Nelson-Ododa remarked, “That’s Baby Li, that’s freshman Li to me.” However, she is now an adult. It’s strange to watch her at this level as a rookie. But we clearly understood she would always be a pro, which is why I’m so happy.
Later, at Mohegan Sun Arena, Edwards and Nelson-Ododa played a part in the Connecticut Sun’s 84-77 victory over the Washington Mystics. In her comeback to the state, Edwards scored six points, while Nelson-Ododa scored eight points for the Sun off the bench.
Edwards and Nelson-Ododa shared the court for the first time since the Minneapolis 2022 National Championship game.
After Friday morning’s shootaround in Washington, Edwards remarked, “It’s cool to be back at Mohegan.” “Playing for a new team and donning a different jersey will be strange for me because I have so many memories and so much time spent at UConn.” However, it’s cool. Tonight, I’m hoping to feel the shooter’s touch.
In the WNBA Draft this year, Edwards was selected by Washington with the sixth overall choice, making her the highest-picked Canadian player selected since 2002. After the draft, the native of Kingston, Ontario, took a plane to Washington, D.C., and two weeks later, he reported for training camp.
Training camp, according to Edwards, was a challenging change from the collegiate game. There were still a lot of learning curves even if her time as a UConn player helped prepare her for the next level. Each player is now free to prepare for the game however they see fit, rather than the team as a whole going through its pregame ritual together. Now that she’s graduated and can focus solely on basketball, she no longer has to juggle her coursework.
“I’m grateful that I graduated,” she uttered. I’m going to give myself a pat on the back for that one because it was difficult and demanding to juggle basketball and academics. However, I’m taking on a new challenge now where I can dedicate all of my attention to my nine to five job. This is the actual item. I’ve been waiting and longing for this.
She added that learning new vocabulary by heart has also been somewhat different.
In order to help players concentrate on help side defense, the basketball team at UConn refers to the line dividing the court’s left and right halves as the “red line.” It goes by a different name in the WNBA, especially with the Mystics. Stefanie Dolson, a current Mystics star and another Husky, has assisted Edwards in learning the new language.
Dolson spent the last two seasons playing for New York and is back with Washington for the first time this year. In the 2014 draft, Washington selected UConn product Dolson with the sixth overall pick.
“She’s been really helpful to me because she understands how big of a jump and adjustment it is to go from college to W,” Edwards stated. However, she resembles the team’s mother bear. She has therefore been really helpful.
During the Mystics’ preseason games against Atlanta and Minnesota, Edwards experienced her first game as a player in the WNBA. Before scoring one point with four rebounds and an assist against the Lynx, the forward played 16 minutes and finished with four rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and six points against the Dream.
Edwards remarked, “This team has been really special to me.” Many distinct personalities. I’ve been receiving mentorship from them. Therefore, even though I’m distant from home, I still feel at home.
Even though Edwards is now more than seven hours away from Storrs, the Husky support has not changed.
Qadence Samuels, a current sophomore, attended Washington’s game versus Minnesota and met Edwards to record a few Tik Toks following the game. Azzi Fudd’s family watched Washington’s season-opening game versus New York on Tuesday from courtside in Washington, D.C. Azzi’s mother, Katie Fudd, shared a video of herself yelling as Edwards entered the game for the first time on her Instagram account.
Edwards made her official WNBA debut in 14 minutes, scoring six points, grabbing two rebounds, and blocking one shot after coming off the bench. The Liberty defeated the Mystics 85-80, but Edwards was pleased with her tough defense against the MVP of the previous season and one of UConn’s all-time greats.
She chuckled and remarked, “I think I locked up Stewie (Breanna Stewart).” “I felt terrible because I thought, ‘Don’t hurt her.'”
It seemed a little strange to go inside Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday morning, according to Edwards. She last performed in this venue in March, when she assisted UConn in winning the Big East Tournament for the fourth time in a row.
Edwards missed the Huskies’ semifinal and championship games due to a broken nose sustained in the team’s opening conference tournament match. Wearing a face mask, she came back onto the floor to begin the NCAA Tournament. During UConn’s Final Four run, the WBCA All-American averaged 16.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.8 steals per game.
Both on Tuesday, when she made her official WNBA debut, and on Friday, during shootaround, Edwards wore her facemask.
The former Husky is thrilled to perform for her home fans at college. She knows she’ll see a few familiar admirers in the stands as well, so her parents will be driving out from Kingston.
Edwards remarked, “I just feel good because I just want to live in the moment.” “I’ve been longing for this for a very long time. I just want to take it all in, though, at the same moment. I do not wish to overestimate myself.
“I have no idea what opportunities are ahead for me in the future. However, I’ve just been having fun and spending time getting to know my teammates in the hopes that it will carry over onto the court. Well, I’m simply attempting to make the most of my blessings.