NEW YORK – “You have to take time to reflect and be like ‘Wow, this is where I am. I am able to represent something that means so much bigger than myself,’” Ashlynn Shade, a sophomore guard of the UConn Women’s Basketball team said to media personnel during Big East Media Day.
With the 40-year legacy that head coach Geno Auriemma has built, young girls who played Basketball growing up dreamt of playing in the Basketball Capital of the World. This was no different for Shade.
Shade grew up idolizing UConn legends like Maya Moore, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, but emphasizes that you can learn something from every player that has played on UConn’s court.
Last year in her freshman campaign, Shade had the chance to finally fulfill her dream and play for the UConn Huskies, and Auriemma.
When asked about what it’s like to play for the hall-of-fame coach, as Forrest Gump says, it’s a box of chocolates and you never know what you will get.
“You know what to expect a little bit more. You know what to expect, but it’s still unexpected. Every day is a new coach, every day is a new Geno. You take it all in and learn every day,” Shade said, but she appreciates how he holds everyone on his team accountable and knows what they are capable of because of how much of the game he’s been exposed to.
During her freshman season under Auriemma, Shade had the chance to reach her fullest potential.
She appeared in every game Connecticut played last season, starting in 33 of them. To name a few things off her resume, she averaged 11 points per game, notched 395 points on the season, was honored as the Big East Freshman of the Year and made the 2024 Big East All-Freshman team.
That’s just scratching the surface.
Even though Shade is a sophomore, she feels that she brings a veteran presence to the very young team this year and there is no doubt that presence is felt throughout the team.
“[Shade] is such a great teammate. She is an incredible person,” Azzi Fudd, a redshirt junior said to the media, “You know that you can rely on her to do whatever you need and know [Shade] is gonna be there. She always wants to do whatever she can for the team and that’s what I love about her.”
Fudd touched on how whenever she goes to the gym, she pairs up with Shade because she’ll push her to be better and work harder.
“I’m so excited to get to play with her again. Practicing with her has been so much fun. You can always just count on her for whatever you need. She’s got it,” Fudd finished.
Shade said to the media that in her freshman year, she looked up to all the seniors on the team.
“You could take any of the seniors we had last year, and they had some sort of impact on me and still do,” Shade said, “It’s still incredible how their impact transgresses as you move up in your years.”
One of those seniors was Paige Bueckers, who had equally as high praise for her.
“She brings great energy, a great smile. When she’s playing, she plays with so much joy and so much passion,” Bueckers said, “She’s looking to continue that [this upcoming season] and continue to get better every single day at practice.”
In terms of this new season, Husky fans can expect to see the same player as last year, but more evolved. In the most recent practices, she’s looking for a quicker release on her shot and a quicker defensive game, with the same energy she works to bring to every time.
Shade spoke on how wearing Connecticut across her chest is a dream come true and she’s excited for this upcoming season, especially their matchup in Indianapolis in February, as that is close to her hometown of Noblesville, Ind.
“It’s just the reason I am playing basketball. It’s given me so much and the greatest opportunity to continue to play the sport that I love,” Shade said about what UConn means to her, “From being a senior in high school to now, it’s literally insane. It’s truly something I’m grateful to be a part of and it’s an unreal experience.”
Shade expressed that when you arrive on campus and experience the day to day, being a student athlete becomes normal, but it’s important to remember the reason you’re there.
“It’s just being able to represent like all the great players that came before us and hopefully do them proud and win and be successful,” Shade finished.
Avery, this is a fantastic article on Ashlynn Shade. I really loved
Just a few notes:
– Shade appeared in 38 games; UConn played 39
– Shade scored 419 points, not 395
– Shade was also am All-Big East Second Team selection
Other than that, this is great reporting.