Paige Bueckers breaks down UConn's newcomers

As UConn went through its annual summer workouts over the last month, the newcomers got their first taste of life in Storrs and the team got a first-hand look at what they can do.

The Huskies brought in four new pieces — three freshman and a transfer — and while summer workouts are generally low-stakes with a limited roster, the early reviews of that group are positive.

“These three kids that we have this year, I think we got it right, man,” Geno Auriemma said about the freshmen. “Just watching them workout, being around them every day — I think we got it right.”

“She's terrific,” the coach added about Princeton transfer Kaitlyn Chen. “She's very, very impressive, to say the least. I really, really like her.”

Since all team activities this time of year are closed to the media, Paige Bueckers (with some help from Ashlynn Shade and Auriemma) provided a scouting report on all the newcomers.

Kaitlyn Chen

Chen arrives via the transfer portal from Princeton, where she spent the last four years being coached by former UConn forward Carla Berube. She’ll take Nika Mühl’s spot as the third ball-handler on the roster, though the two are dramatically different players. Where Mühl excelled with defense and passing, Chen is here to provide a scoring punch.

Bueckers: “She's a great scorer. She can create for herself and create for others. She has great footwork and does really well with that.”

Shade: “I love Kaitlyn. She's amazing. She's quick, she's active on defense all the time, she can score. She's crafty.”

Auriemma on bringing in Chen: “That was a really good decision by us.”

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