UConn Huskies forward Ayanna Patterson has announced where she will be playing next, but despite her leaving her current program, both current and former players of it are supportive of her decision.
On Saturday, Patterson announced through her official social media accounts that she is departing the Connecticut-based program to join coach Kenny Brooks’ Kentucky Wildcats for the 2026-27 campaign.
With the surprising move, several of Patterson’s current and former teammates joined in to show their support despite her not finishing her college basketball career with the Huskies. The list included the likes of former Huskies superstar and current Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers and former UConn floor general Nika Muhl.
“Committed😼💙,” Patterson captioned with a couple of emojis.
Incoming third-year stalwart Sarah Strong joined Bueckers and Muhl in the comments section.
“Go be great !!💙,” Bueckers wrote with a blue heart emoji.
“❤️,” Muhl commented.
“Ayeeeee,” Strong said.
“💙🤞🏾YO TIME YONNIIII!!,” veteran KK Arnold shared with a couple of emojis.
“Yeaa yonniiii 💙,” former UConn guard Aubrey Griffin posted.
“Go be great Yanna!!!!!!🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼,” current Huskies guard Ashlynn Shade asserted with several emojis.
“I LOVE YOU MOTHER🥹❤️,” incoming junior Kayleigh Heckel exclaimed with two emojis.
Patterson is coming off the 2025-26 season with coach Geno Auriemma’s Huskies, as they went all the way to the NCAA Final Four. Their 2026 national tournament run came to a screeching halt against coach Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks through a 14-point loss, 62-48. Patterson and company were hoping to defend their 2025 national title in the said run, but settled for a semifinal finish.
Ayanna Patterson Will Have Her Third And Final Year Of College Eligibility With The Kentucky Wildcats
Ayanna Patterson played two seasons for the UConn Huskies, but she has already logged four years of college basketball eligibility. This is because she redshirted two years off the team due to several injuries.
Now, she will have her third and final year of the sport with the Kentucky Wildcats, which will technically count as her fifth. She joins the Kentucky-based program that reached the Sweet 16 of the 2026 March Madness.
Also Read: Ayanna Patterson Transfer Portal: 5 Potential Landing Spots for UConn Star Amid Shocking Decision
Read More: “She Called Me a Throwback”: Sarah Strong’s Mom Allison Feaster Spills the Beans on Harsh Nickname From UConn Star
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
