UConn Women’s Basketball Sophomore Guard Mikayla Coombs to Transfer

UConn women’s basketball sophomore guard Mikayla Coombs will transfer, the school announced on Tuesday.

“I would like to thank the UConn community and the coaching staff for everything they have done for me during my time here,” Coombs said in a release. “I wish everyone at UConn the best, and I am excited for the next chapter.”

In her first two seasons with the Huskies, Coombs saw action in 56 games. This past season, she saw action in 31 of 38 games, averaging 11.5 minutes per game. While she struggled offensively with just 27 points total, Coombs began to emerge late in the season as a solid defensive presence off the bench.

With only four starters slotted for next season, Coombs seemed like a prime candidate to make a jump and claim a starting role entering her junior season. However, now her departure leaves UConn with just eight scholarship players for next season.

Coombs came to UConn as a McDonalds’ All-American and the No. 13 player in the class of 2017. Andra Espinoza-Hunter and Lexi Gordon have also transferred out, leaving Megan Walker as the sole 2017 recruit remaining with the Huskies.

Now, the pressure is on Geno Auriemma and his staff even more to fill out the roster. UConn can’t go into next season with just three players on the bench, especially considering Batouly Camara has missed games each of the last two seasons with injuries.

The Huskies’ depth chart now also takes a major hit. At guard, Molly Bent is the only backup behind Crystal Dangerfield and Christyn Williams. An offseason already expected to be interesting received another level of intrigue with Coombs’ departure.

Daniel Connolly