UConn head coach Geno Auriemma finally addressed some exciting recovery news surrounding top prospect Morgan Cheli, who has been out of action since last February with an ankle injury.

It took Cheli more than a year to return to the hardwood, as she started light training sessions in March. Auriemma seemed impressed with her efforts, and it looks like it won't be long until we see the 6'2" guard regularly.

"She's doing great. She's worked really hard. I think she's had a tough go of it trying to get back on the court. You don't realize it, but it's been a long time since she's played. I think she's good to go." Auriemma said, via Storrs Central on X.

Cheli sat out the whole of the 25/26, and that will just add more fuel to her current summer workout routine.

As a freshman, Cheli was one of the frontcourt regulars for the Huskies, playing a central role in Auriemma's small-ball lineup. While she can fit into almost any position, it will be interesting to see if the coach has studied the right place for her talents.

“She looks great and the more I watch — I watched her towards the end of the season, doing some individuals — it reminded [me] of all the different things that she can do,” Auriemma added.

Apart from Cheli, ten other Huskies have made it to Storrs so far as the summer workouts for the new season have started over the weekend.

UConn Huskies Begin Summer Workouts

Aside from the eleven Huskies who have already joined, Jovana Popovic is expected to arrive at the end of the week, while Marine Dursus’s status is still up in the air.

“We’re hoping to find out more tomorrow,” Geno Auriemma said about the freshman from France on Wednesday.

The summer workouts are sessions that help accommodate newcomers into the system while also providing the returning players the opportunity for valuable development.

The players in these sessions end up playing together, as UConn is limited to eight hours of required basketball activities per week.

While Cheli's return is obviously a positive sign, the Huskies will miss Blanca Quiñonez, who was sidelined for the June session after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in her left shoulder last month.

“It’s typical UConn,” Auriemma quipped. “We can’t have everything we want. You trade one (Cheli) for the other (Quiñonez).”

Cheli will have big shoes to fill in the absence of Quiñonez, but maybe that is exactly what she requires after missing over a year of action, a challenge.

So, do you think Morgan Cheli will be a big asset for Geno Auriemma next season? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy