When UConn star Jana El Alfy took to Instagram to celebrate the Huskies’ national championship victory, former teammate Paige Bueckers couldn’t help but respond with a heartfelt comment. The first overall WNBA Draft pick simply wrote, “All heart” alongside a heart emoji, perfectly encapsulating El Alfy’s inspiring journey from Cairo to Storrs.
The emotional post featured a carousel of championship celebration images showing the UConn women’s team reveling in victory. From trophy hoisting to tearful embraces, El Alfy’s photos captured the raw emotion of achieving collegiate basketball’s highest honor, with Egyptian fans proudly displaying their nation’s flag in the stands.
From Cairo to Connecticut: Jana El Alfy’s Remarkable Basketball Journey
Jana El Alfy’s path to championship glory has been anything but conventional. The 6’5″ center from Cairo, Egypt, joined UConn in January 2023 but faced immediate adversity by sitting out her freshman year due to injury.
Her basketball foundation was built under her father, Ehab El Alfy, Egypt’s women’s national team head coach, who began training her at age five.
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El Alfy captioned the post, “Surreal doesn’t even begin to cover it. الحمد لله 💙”
Before donning UConn blue, El Alfy dominated international competition, leading the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup with 21.4 points per game while ranking fourth with 11.0 rebounds.
During UConn’s championship run, she delivered in crucial moments, including an impressive semifinal performance against UCLA, where she scored 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks despite battling foul trouble.
The Egyptian center has been open about her deep bond with Bueckers, becoming tearful when discussing her teammate’s mentorship. Since arriving at UConn, El Alfy has called Bueckers a “role model” and credited her as “my literal sister, mom, dad, and family.”
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While Bueckers, who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings in the recent WNBA Draft, will soon begin her first professional season, El Alfy will look to step up her leadership on the court while UConn attempts to repeat as national champion.
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