NBA: Ex-UConn student manager Mark Daigneault wins NBCA Coach of the Year
From serving as a student manager under legendary coach Jim Calhoun (2003-2007) to leading Oklahoma City to the Western Conference’s top seed, it has been an amazing journey for Mark Daigneault. The 39-year-old from Leominster, Massachusetts led the Thunder to a 57-25 record with an average roster age of 24 years old, becoming the youngest team to clinch the top seed in league history. Earlier this week, Daigneault was voted by his peers as the NBA Coach of the Year by the National Basketball Coaches Association. As of this article’s publication, the top- seeded Thunder will await the winner of the New Orleans vs. Sacramento on Friday to see who they draw in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
NBA: Adama Sanogo goes off for 22 points, 20 rebounds off the bench in win vs. Washington
With the Chicago Bulls playoff seeding set in stone ahead of their April 12 game against the Washington Wizards, head coach Billy Donovan rested the bulk of the team’s rotation. Undrafted rookie Adama Sanogo, who had just 14 career points in eight NBA games prior, exploded for 22 points and 20 rebounds in the Bulls’ 129-127 win in the nation’s capital. The 2023 NCAA Tournament’s most outstanding player became just the second rookie of the season to tally 20+ points and 20+ rebounds in a single game, the other being French phenom Victor Wembanyama.
WNBA: Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Mühl earn WNBA Draft selections
On Monday, UConn stars Nika Mühl and Aaliyah Edwards were the latest Huskies to earn WNBA Draft selections.
The Washington Mystics opted for Edwards with the sixth overall pick, while the Seattle Storm chose Mühl at No. 14.
Edwards, a two-time all-Big East standout, leaves Connecticut after posting marks of 17.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in her senior campaign. The native of Kingston, Canada will be joined by former Husky Stefanie Dolson in the nation’s capital.
After setting the program’s record in all-time assists and winning the Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Mühl looks to add her notable grit and defensive pedigree to a Seattle team that finished 11-29 a season ago. The 5-foot-11 native of Croatia finished her senior year with the Huskies averaging 6.9 points and 6.5 assists per contest.