UConn's Ayanna Patterson Enters Transfer Portal

The redshirt sophomore forward has two years of eligibility left after sitting out back-to-back seasons due to injuries.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:52pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting that breaks down a basketball player's movements into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in vibrant colors, conceptually representing the challenges Ayanna Patterson faced during her time at UConn.Ayanna Patterson's injury-plagued career at UConn is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration that deconstructs her athletic movements and energy.Indianapolis Today

UConn women's basketball redshirt sophomore Ayanna Patterson has entered the transfer portal, according to On3.com. Patterson, the No. 4-ranked recruit in the Class of 2022, spent the past four years in Storrs but only played in two full seasons for the Huskies due to injuries, sitting out the entire 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.

Why it matters

Patterson was considered a promising young talent for the Huskies, but her career has been derailed by injuries. Her departure leaves UConn with 13 projected players on next year's roster as they lose several key seniors.

The details

As a freshman in 2022-23, Patterson played in 30 games and averaged 2.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 10.1 minutes per game. However, her recovery from an offseason knee procedure didn't go according to plan and forced her to undergo season-ending knee surgery the following December, missing her entire sophomore season. Last year, after suffering back-to-back shoulder injuries within the first two months of the year, Patterson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery and was ruled out of her junior year before even getting the chance to play a game. This season, Patterson played in 30 of UConn's 39 games and averaged 1.7 points and 1.4 rebounds in just 5.0 points per game.

  • Patterson sat out the entire 2023-24 season due to a knee injury.
  • Patterson sat out the entire 2024-25 season due to a shoulder injury.
  • Patterson played in 30 of UConn's 39 games this season (2025-26).

The players

Ayanna Patterson

A redshirt sophomore forward for the UConn Huskies women's basketball team who has entered the transfer portal after two injury-plagued seasons.

Geno Auriemma

The head coach of the UConn Huskies women's basketball team.

Azzi Fudd

A senior guard for the UConn Huskies women's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“This program has meant the world to me these last four years. They've been through every obstacle with me. And all my coaching staff, training staff and support staff have helped me along the way and just supported me and been there for me. So, I just thank them.”

— Ayanna Patterson, UConn Huskies forward

“Yanna, from the time that she got here as a freshman, has always been one of the best people to have as a teammate, because she engages with everyone. She works exceptionally hard. She's no maintenance. … Yanna has gotten a lot out of this. Unfortunately, it didn't translate to having the opportunity to do it on the court.”

— Geno Auriemma, UConn Huskies head coach

“I just want to talk about how Yanna is one of the hardest workers on our team every single day in practice, in the weight room, no matter where it is. And even though it doesn't always show on the court, she doesn't get the most playing time in the world, but she comes every single day, and we can rely on her to get that rebound, to get that loose ball, the hustle play that we need.”

— Azzi Fudd, UConn Huskies senior guard

What’s next

Patterson will now explore transfer options as she looks to continue her college basketball career with two years of eligibility remaining.

The takeaway

Despite her promising talent and work ethic, Patterson's career at UConn has been derailed by injuries, leading her to enter the transfer portal in search of a fresh start and more playing time elsewhere.