- - From facing UConn to fueling UConn: Kayleigh Heckel’s seamless transition

Heather Burns, USA TODAYNovember 12, 2025 at 5:04 AM

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If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

That may not be exactly how sophomore Kayleigh Heckel ended up playing for No. 1-ranked UConn, but it is true that she finished her freshman season at USC with a loss to the team she ended up joining after entering the transfer portal.

"My last game at USC was against UConn," Heckel said in a video posted by UConn prior to the season. "The stakes were high, was the Elite Eight game, so excited to to be on this side now."

Heckel is fitting right in with the Huskies, averaging 13 points, 2.5 assists and 3.5 steals. She brings energy off the bench to a backcourt led by Azzi Fudd and KK Arnold. Heckel had six steals as UConn ran its press and overwhelmed Florida State, 99-67, on Sunday. The Huskies scored 42 points off 23 turnovers.

"A lot of people on our team are very aggressive defensively," said Heckel, whose Huskies host Loyola on Wednesday (truTV, 7:30 p.m. ET). "(Running the press) helps us a lot. The six steals, that comes from my teammates helping me and getting a position where I can get a steal. We all work together defensively."

No. 1 UConn Huskies (2024-2025 record: 37-3)

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MD_WzbYpStPa8wHTOBYhqA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/beeb2af06d7b5eb1b21d753a8d6ff4f3 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="

No. 1 UConn Huskies (2024-2025 record: 37-3)

">No. 1 UConn Huskies (2024-2025 record: 37-3)

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MD_WzbYpStPa8wHTOBYhqA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/beeb2af06d7b5eb1b21d753a8d6ff4f3 class=caas-img>No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks (2024-2025 record: 35-4)

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/LREopb4QTPfjC5iBXr0_XA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/161801180cd56f0b95fed34c6728d03e class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="

No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks (2024-2025 record: 35-4)

">No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks (2024-2025 record: 35-4)

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/LREopb4QTPfjC5iBXr0_XA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/161801180cd56f0b95fed34c6728d03e class=caas-img>No. 3 Texas Longhorns (2024-2025 record: 35-4)

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/LpdeE43V6lG8CTRyhoMYjA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/365648ef65ffcaada513da0dc89123bb class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="

No. 3 Texas Longhorns (2024-2025 record: 35-4)

">No. 3 Texas Longhorns (2024-2025 record: 35-4)

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/LpdeE43V6lG8CTRyhoMYjA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/365648ef65ffcaada513da0dc89123bb class=caas-img>No. 4 UCLA Bruins (2024-2025 record: 34-3)

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/tOcfWMBF.ruatSvXaXeK7Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/54f2c7cb0448617a65aaff736d1d92f2 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="

No. 4 UCLA Bruins (2024-2025 record: 34-3)

">No. 4 UCLA Bruins (2024-2025 record: 34-3)

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/tOcfWMBF.ruatSvXaXeK7Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/54f2c7cb0448617a65aaff736d1d92f2 class=caas-img>No. 5 LSU Lady Tigers (2024-2025 record: 31-6)

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/CYBQlU6fMWecwyPoGAKnKA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5845e73b03c9d390c2f74670a8a76d50 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="

No. 5 LSU Lady Tigers (2024-2025 record: 31-6)

">No. 5 LSU Lady Tigers (2024-2025 record: 31-6)

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/CYBQlU6fMWecwyPoGAKnKA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5845e73b03c9d390c2f74670a8a76d50 class=caas-img>No. 6 Duke Blue Devils (2024-2025 record: 29-8)

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eM8e6.3RF7hUKl2z8I0XEg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/51e930624a91e07d0f7bb61aebe40329 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="

No. 6 Duke Blue Devils (2024-2025 record: 29-8)

">No. 6 Duke Blue Devils (2024-2025 record: 29-8)

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eM8e6.3RF7hUKl2z8I0XEg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/51e930624a91e07d0f7bb61aebe40329 class=caas-img>No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners (2024-2025 record: 27-8)

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No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners (2024-2025 record: 27-8)

">No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners (2024-2025 record: 27-8)

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/2ZFipsQ_g.AWf39ke.QgDQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/73cf262445f247e88033b0ba3b7d3207 class=caas-img>No. 8 North Carolina State Wolfpack (2024-2025 record: 28-7)

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kfxltlyuuOuYbif2RInaEQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a4a3de75188b951a1e7834c3085cb494 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="

No. 8 North Carolina State Wolfpack (2024-2025 record: 28-7)

">No. 8 North Carolina State Wolfpack (2024-2025 record: 28-7)

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kfxltlyuuOuYbif2RInaEQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a4a3de75188b951a1e7834c3085cb494 class=caas-img>No. 9 Tennessee Lady Vols (2024-2025 record: 24-10)

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/euFU1BZ_d6CG19nQRWBbVw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2764e0c70d4a245860f932aafafcd6f0 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="

No. 9 Tennessee Lady Vols (2024-2025 record: 24-10)

">No. 9 Tennessee Lady Vols (2024-2025 record: 24-10)

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/euFU1BZ_d6CG19nQRWBbVw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2764e0c70d4a245860f932aafafcd6f0 class=caas-img>No. 10 Maryland Terrapins (2024-2025 record: 25-8)

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/iZDwy63Tb8HhYOQ2Z8uy4Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2a51ccb0dd7303d30301d9ce25cba392 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="

No. 10 Maryland Terrapins (2024-2025 record: 25-8)

">No. 10 Maryland Terrapins (2024-2025 record: 25-8)

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/iZDwy63Tb8HhYOQ2Z8uy4Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2a51ccb0dd7303d30301d9ce25cba392 class=caas-img>No. 12 TCU Horned Frogs (2024-2025 record: 34-4)

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fySZcYuoxkG3gBbQMGQqXw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ca463e05b393e75a6870a70e44fb0466 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="

No. 12 TCU Horned Frogs (2024-2025 record: 34-4)

">No. 12 TCU Horned Frogs (2024-2025 record: 34-4)

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fySZcYuoxkG3gBbQMGQqXw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ca463e05b393e75a6870a70e44fb0466 class=caas-img>No. 17 Iowa State Cyclones (2024-2025 record: 23-12)

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rrm67FEv_q_LSwo7G.gGmg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c3d485666be29ab2317358aa2ad72ff7 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="

No. 17 Iowa State Cyclones (2024-2025 record: 23-12)

">No. 17 Iowa State Cyclones (2024-2025 record: 23-12)

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rrm67FEv_q_LSwo7G.gGmg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c3d485666be29ab2317358aa2ad72ff7 class=caas-img>No. 24 Ohio State Buckeyes (2024-2025 record: 26-7)

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZwCy6NlAXzpijNjal1U2yA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/76519f7bf9aa4a402b90fe468bf29c47 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="

No. 24 Ohio State Buckeyes (2024-2025 record: 26-7)

">No. 24 Ohio State Buckeyes (2024-2025 record: 26-7)

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZwCy6NlAXzpijNjal1U2yA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/76519f7bf9aa4a402b90fe468bf29c47 class=caas-img>

1 / 13These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll

No. 1 UConn Huskies (2024-2025 record: 37-3)

Coach Geno Auriemma said Heckel is familiar with UConn's style of defense.

"Her whole high school career, the team that she played on, they were a pressure defense" Auriemma said "It kind of fits in with what she likes, that's her skills. That's your skill set. So it sound like we're introducing anything new here, but she's going to get better at it."

A 5-foot-9 native of Port Chester, New York, Heckel was the No. 13-ranked recruit in her class. Auriemma said that although he wasn't sure about the fit out of high school, he was impressed with her play last season. The Huskies lost to USC in December last season before getting their revenge in the Elite Eight.

"Watching her play, playing against her, I just thought that things that she's really good at can help us, the other stuff, I think we can work with," Auriemma said. "I don't think she's changed (her game) that much (last season), but the changes she has made have made her for the better.

"She's a way better offensive player than I thought she was. You know, She loves that pull up. She knows that."

Heckel has already doubled her 6.1 point scoring average with USC. She said Auriemma challenged her to work on being aggressive.

"Coach told me that I have to have a very consistent midrange shot, so I've been working on it a lot, and I just try to get to my spots," Heckel said. "If it's open, I'm gonna take it. If not, I can always pass to an open teammate."

Heckel watched UConn raise its championship banner on Sunday. The Huskies have won 12 national titles, the last against South Carolina in April. She said playing for UConn comes with pressure, but she's here for it.

"I would say the biggest adjustment is like, the expectations," Heckel said. "I think that they're super high and I really like that because I have a lot of goals for myself and for the team this year, so I'm super excited to just be held to the expectations and those standards.

"I really want to get better, and I think that that can really be something that I can do here."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Transfer Kayleigh Heckel thriving in new role with No. 1 UConn

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Sports”