Welcome back to another edition of Husky History, the column that highlights a former UConn athlete’s accomplishments in Storrs and professional career.
This previous week at Gampel Pavilion, the 2004 and 2014 women’s basketball team members were honored for the 10 and 20-year anniversaries of the championships they brought home. Among the group was Kiah Stokes, the defensive star for three straight UConn national championships, from 2013 to 2015.
Stokes was born on March 30, 1993, and attended Linn-Mar High School in Marion, Iowa. For the Lions, she was a McDonald’s All-American in her senior season and averaged a dominant 25.0 points, 14.8 rebounds and 5.1 blocks per game. While in high school, she proved her utility for UConn: She was a winner. Stokes led the team to a 26-0 record and an Iowa 4A State Title in her final season.
In high school, Stokes was ranked as the No. 9 overall girls recruit by the All-Star Girls Report, so it only made sense she was picked up by coach Geno Auriemma to continue building a winning culture. As a freshman, she had the typical first-year role that saw her average 4.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 13.4 minutes per game. Even in her smaller role, she was named to the All-Big East Rookie Team.
In the NCAA Tournament that year, Stokes played sparingly for the Huskies who had championship aspirations. When she did get her chance, she did not disappoint. Trouncing over Kansas State, the freshman tallied 13 points, nine boards and three blocks in just 18 minutes.
Her second-year role decreased to 10.7 minutes per game, but Stokes made the most of it, most notably in the postseason once again. In UConn’s dominating 105-37 win over Idaho in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Stokes put up 14 points and 11 rebounds. That kickstarted the run to claim the team’s eighth national title.
As an upperclassman, Stokes’ responsibility increased, and she took the opportunity and ran with it. She averaged 4.5 points and 7.1 rebounds in only 18.5 minutes per game, recording four double-doubles on the season.
The 2013-14 team was perfect. The Huskies went undefeated with a 40-0 record and defeated Notre Dame to clinch the national championship. Stokes contributed four points, eight boards and a steal to help raise banner No. 9.
Stokes started to see more recognition for her play in her senior season. The Husky was named American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year as well as awarded a spot on the AAC Second Team. She also became the fourth Husky in program history to record a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks in a win over East Carolina.
Stokes led the AAC in blocks per game at 3.8. She was the defensive force down low that helped the Huskies win their third championship in a row.
Stokes’ name is all over the team leaderboards. She holds the single season record for blocked shots with 147 in her senior season, and ranks second all-time in program history in blocks and blocks per game, only behind fellow teammate and champion Breanna Stewart.
The former Husky was drafted with the 11th overall pick in the 2015 WNBA draft by the New York Liberty. Her playstyle has translated over to the professional game smoothly. She was named to the All-Rookie First Team and All-Defensive Second Team in her first season, ranking second in the league in blocked shots.
After six seasons with the Liberty, she signed a contract with the Las Vegas Aces in 2021. With her, she brought the winning DNA she has established every place she has played. Stokes helped the Aces win back-to-back WNBA Championships in 2022 in 2023.
Unfortunately, she suffered a foot injury that held her back from playing in the 2023 clinching game. Before that, she averaged 2.8 points and 7.9 rebounds during the playoffs in a pivotal starting role.
To this point, the nine-year veteran center has averaged 4.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. At the exact time of this writing, Stokes is re-signing with the Aces on a two-year deal. Husky and Aces fans hope to see return to good health and provide the winning culture they have all grown to love from her.