UConn women’s basketball: Anna Makurat to pursue professional career in Europe

Sophomore guard Anna Makurat will transfer from UConn, the school announced Tuesday. The Sierakowice, Poland native will have three years of eligibility remaining.

“We appreciate Anna for her efforts and for being a great teammate the last two seasons,” head coach Geno Auriemma said in a release. “We wish Anna and her family the best as she continues her collegiate career.”

“Thank you to my teammates and coaches at UConn for supporting me for the last two seasons,” Makurat said. “I’ve grown a lot both on and off the court in my first two years in America. I wish everyone the best at UConn and I am excited for my next chapter.”

UPDATE — 4/12

Makurat announced on her Instagram that she will pursue a professional career in Europe instead of transferring to another school.

Her sister Ola will also transfer after three seasons at Utah.

Makurat came to Storrs as part of the Huskies’ 2020 class. She had a strong freshman season where she averaged 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 41.0 percent from three.

Makurat came into her second season in better shape after working with a nutritionist in Poland over the summer but didn’t translate that into production. Despite opening the year as a starter, she struggled to score and eventually lost her spot after the sixth game of the season. Makurat then missed 12 games due to a stress fracture before returning ahead of the Big East Tournament.

After that, her playing time was inconsistent and she didn’t even see the court in UConn’s Elite Eight win over Baylor — though she did help rally the team to a comeback victory. Overall, Makurat finished her sophomore campaign with 3.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while making just 31.7 percent from three.

Next season, the Huskies will have a crowded backcourt even without Makurat. Evina Westbrook, Christyn Williams, Paige Bueckers, Nika Mühl and Saylor Poffenbarger will all return while incoming freshmen Azzi Fudd (the No. 1 player in the class of 2021) and Caroline Ducharme (the No. 5 player) will join the team as well. There won’t be much playing time to go around, so Makurat will look for more opportunities elsewhere.

If nobody else leaves, UConn will have 14 players on the roster next season — 13 of whom will be on scholarship.