The UConn Huskies’ 14-member roster includes two standout redshirt seniors, jersey no. 5 Paige Bueckers and jersey no. 44 Aubrey Griffin for the ‘experienced’. With both playing as guards, their journeys haven’t been much different. After an injury-plagued run in their college career, both will be returning for their redshirt senior year to make another run at the NCAA championship.

So despite the different paths that led them here, one thing unites them: both are driven by unfinished business and a determination to leave a lasting mark.

Aubrey at UConn

For the 2023-24 season, she averaged 11.3 points and 6.6 rebounds across 35 games. Coach Geno Auriemma sees the skills and the potential there. “Aubrey is capable of having big, big games. She can do it defensively; I thought her work on the offensive boards was terrific.”

Throughout her career at UConn, Aubrey Griffin played a total of 110 games, starting 40 of them, and managed a total of 916 points. Though not the best in 3-point shooting with a 24% average, her gameplay lies in being one of the most stifling wing defenders in the NCAA. In fact, one could even argue that most of her points actually are a result of second chances or plays in the transition. Something that she is very precise at doing, as one can interpret from her 52.9 % field goal percentage.

Griffin has thus come to take on some of the team’s toughest defensive assignments, a testament to her ability to adapt in a variety of roles. However, she also had a few record-breaking performances last season. One of which saw her tie up Rebecca Lobo’s UConn record of 11 consecutive field goals in a game, reflecting Griffin’s growth on the offensive side of things too.

This run, however, would not last, as she would end up suffering with a devastating knee injury against Creighton in the 2023-24 season. This injury came at a time when she had just returned to play following a previous year-long absence due to back surgery, and the injury against Creighton would also act as an emotional setback.

This would be reflected in her Coach Auriemma’s words as he would state, “Aubrey’s had to overcome a lot. She had one of these (knee injuries) in high school, then she missed a year at UConn, needed back surgery. You just are heartbroken for a kid when it’s their last year and something like this happens.” That injury didn’t only impact Griffin personally; it also ended up altering UConn’s lineup dynamics.

Auriemma would also express empathy for Aubrey and add, “The basketball part is actually really secondary. You try to say, ‘Wow, how are we going to replace her on the basketball court,’ but I don’t think anybody thinks like that.”

Despite these challenges, Griffin has made a significant impact both on and off the court. According to On3.com she already has  NIL sponsorship deals with Powerade, The Players Trunk, and F45 Training. She has additionally also obtained the NIL ranking as the 22nd among college women’s basketball players. Her social media presence amplifies her influence, boasting over 214,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, showcasing her reach and popularity beyond the basketball arena.

Aubrey’s Journey to UConn

Aubrey’s journey to UConn started back in 2018, when she committed as one of the highest-rated recruits. In fact, according to ESPN, she was UConn’s first commitment in the 2019 recruiting class. Her high school career in Ossining, New York, was marked by standout performances, including a record 51-point game as a freshman.

Griffin also comes from a basketball family, Her father Adrian Griffin is a former NBA player and was also the head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks for a brief period of time. The interest was passed on to Aubrey, recognized at a very young age. Adrian would state in an interview, “I could tell at a young age that she was extremely athletic, so fast,” while talking about Aubrey’s athleticism.

This could be witnessed in Griffin excelling not only in basketball but also in soccer, and this dual-sport background played a major role in shaping her skills on the court, particularly her speed and agility. In fact, Adrian once commented that Aubrey might just be “the best athlete in the family,” despite her siblings’ impressive sporting achievements.

Griffin’s evolution from a young talent to one of UConn’s standout players has been a blend of natural skill and relentless hard work. Her offensive role at UConn has developed alongside her defensive prowess. Last season, her shooting improved notably, with a three-point percentage that jumped from 13.3% early in her career to 31.9%.

In fact, Aubrey’s current Coach Geno told SNY’s Maria Marino in January. “When she’s confident with her shot, she opens up another side of the floor for us, especially now without Caroline (Ducharme) and Azzi (Fudd),” while hinting at how improvement in her offense will help make the Huskies more lethal.