Kayleigh Heckel, a former standout recruit, recently transferred from USC to UConn after a season that culminated in her former team’s defeat by the Huskies in the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight.

Though only a month into her new position in Storrs, Heckel stated, “It’s the place I need to be, and it’s the place that I think I can become the best version of myself,” showcasing her immediate comfort during summer workouts.

She expressed enthusiasm about fostering relationships with her new teammates, noting, “I already feel the love here, and I think that it is really cool how close the team is and how much that we just really want to be a part of each other’s success.”

Heckel also remarked about the heightened intensity of practices compared to her previous experience at USC, emphasizing her excitement for having coaches and teammates dedicated to her growth. She conveyed, “There’s people that really care about my development, and they’re going to try and make me the best version of myself.”

Her transfer comes during a tumultuous offseason for USC, which saw the departure of several players, including top recruits. Heckel averaged 6.1 points and contributed significantly off the bench in her freshman season. UConn coach Auriemma praised her, saying, “Kayleigh has a passion for the game,” highlighting her potential impact as UConn aims for another championship without key players from last year’s roster.