Last season, UConn women’s basketball guard KK Arnold kept a low profile as a freshman under head coach Geno Auriemma, allowing teammates like Paige Bueckers and Aaliyah Edwards to take the spotlight.
With Edwards and Nika Muhl now in the WNBA, Arnold mentioned late last week that she plans to “step out of my shell a little bit more and kind of be a voice.” This move is intended to support Bueckers, the rising UConn senior, as they aim for a national title in the 2024-25 season.
“I carry myself differently now, thinking about what we can do differently this year,” Arnold told CT Insider. “As a point guard and another key player, I have to be more vocal.”
Arnold added, “Being another voice is crucial, especially if Paige or transfer addition Kaitlyn Chen is off the court. I need to rally everyone together and lead in terms of offensive and defensive intensity.”
Arnold was one of the few consistently healthy players for UConn last season, appearing in 39 games as a freshman. She averaged 8.9 points, 3.2 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.3 steals in 30.2 minutes per game. Her standout moment came in a close second-round NCAA Tournament game against Syracuse, where she hit a decisive 3-pointer with 28 seconds remaining, assisted by Bueckers, who celebrated by lifting Arnold in a hug.
Arnold’s performance and recruiting pedigree earned her a spot in WNBA star Kelsey Plum’s offseason camp, where she competed against top prospects from around the country.
Her experiences at Plum’s camp could also help her progress next season. Among the other attendees were South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley and Kentucky transfer Georgia Amoore.
