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With over 1500 athletes in the transfer portal, Serah Williams has found a new home in Storrs, Connecticut.

Geno Auriemma and the Connecticut Huskies are coming off their 12th National Title this month against South Carolina. With the departure of star Paige Bueckers, Auriemma continues to show UConn's relevance in women's basketball. On Wednesday, former Wisconsin Serah Williams announced her commitment to Connecticut via social media.

Considered one of the strongest prospects in the transfer portal, 6-foot-4 Williams had reportedly  visited both UConn and LSU (According to ESPN). A Brooklyn, New York Native, the forward will make a return to the East Coast.

Genesis 28:15 Yes. I’ll stay with you, I’ll protect you wherever you go. Go Huskiess💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/pWt3AzUjK9

— Serah Williams (@SerahWilliams25) April 30, 2025

In her three-year career with the Wisconsin Badgers, Williams averaged 16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.3 blocks. In addition, Williams shot 51.5 percent from the field and 23.1 percent from beyond the arc during her Wisconsin tenure.

Two-time First-Team All-Big Ten in 2024 and 2025, Williams is additionally a two-time Ten All-Defensive Team over the last two seasons. Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, Williams ranked no. 8 in the nation with 2.8 blocks per game. In the same season, Williams additionally set a record for the most consecutive double-doubles in the conference with 15.

Serah Williams is an Incredible Two-Way Player

Serah Williams is showing why she's one of the best in college basketball 🥶 pic.twitter.com/HcoXQzKia1

— Wisconsin Women’s Basketball (@BadgerWBB) February 25, 2025

Williams elevated her game to new heights, averaging a career-high 19.2 points during the 2024-2025 season. Moreover, Williams set career-highs in minutes (32.0), assists (2.4), and steals (1.1) in her junior campaign. Through 30 games, she shot 49.3 percent from the field. Perhaps her most efficient game came when Williams outplayed Lauren Betts in their loss against UCLA. 

Serah Williams departs Wisconsin as one of the most pristine players to enter the Badgers program. Through 91 games, Williams ranks no. 2 all-time in blocks (84). Furthermore, she's the program's all-time leader in block percentage (9.4 %), defensive rebounds (228), defensive rebound percentage (26.7 %), plus/minus (+9.7), player efficiency rating (31.8), and usage percentage (33.5 %).

Although having a profound impact, Williams and the Badgers failed to make an NCAA appearance during her three-year stint. Under former head coach Marisa Moseley, the Badgers had a cumulative win/loss record of 39-54 over the three years. 

Though not providing an explanation for her decision, Williams joins one of the most elite basketball programs in the nation. One doesn't run to Storrs, Connecticut, which registers a population of just over 18,000 people. Known as the basketball capital of the world, the city has a population made up mostly of students.

UConn Has Recruited and Developed Some of the Best Players in the World

The newest member of the Huskies of Honor

Paige Bueckers pic.twitter.com/6mA6w2IUJF

— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) March 5, 2025

With coach Auriemma at the helm for 40 seasons, UConn has produced and elevated some of the most immaculate athletes in the world. So many, Connecticut hasn't retired individual jerseys since Rebecca Lobo and Swin Cash days. Rather, the Huskies instilled the Huskies of Honor. This includes but is not limited to some of the greatest to ever step foot at Gampel Pavilion: Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles, Napheesa Collier, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, and Paige Bueckers. With the news, Williams is given an opportunity to make her mark on the prestigious program, and elevate her game. It turns out, Princeton transfer Kaitlyn Chen was the missing piece to the Huskies Championship run. Will this be the year Williams propels UConn to back-to-back titles for the first time since 2015 and 2016?

For coach Auriemma it's not about the amount of transfers, but rather the quality. Williams joins Dorka Juhász’s as the second Big Ten player (Ohio State) to transfer within recent years. Both Juhász and Chen were drafted in the 2021 and 2025 WNBA Drafts. 

What Serah Williams Brings to UConn

.@halledouglass for 3️⃣#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/d2h99Mc6Gm

— Wisconsin Women’s Basketball (@BadgerWBB) February 16, 2025

Williams presence at UConn gives Auriemma an instant boost on the defensive end. Having much versatility, she is a premier shot blocker and rim protector, who will additionally have an impactful presence in the paint. A significant threat on the glass, Williams will join Sarah Strong as one of the most formidable frontcourts in the NCAA women's basketball. 

Having one of the more lethal drop steps in the game, Williams will continue to ferociously attack inside for the Huskies. 2024 Freshman of the Year, Strong was a crucial part of the Huskies championship run. An inside and outside threat, Strong now gets reinforcements on the boards, which was a rare area where the Huskies lacked. Ranked no. 146 in rebounds last season (37), the duo will add an instant boost. Moreover, the Huskies ranked no. 60 in defensive rebounds (27.1), and 263 in offensive boards (9.9). 

Does UConn Have The Most Dominant Frontcourt with Sara Strong and Serah Williams?

The Paige Bueckers era is officially over, however, the Huskies are still the second favorites among sportsbooks to win the National Title. This may soon change with William's efficiency on the defensive end. She joins an already robust defensive team, who led the nation in opponent points per game (52.2 PPG).  Defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 82-59 in the National Title Game, the Huskies dominated in paint points, rebounds, and held the Gamecocks to 34.4 percent shooting from the field. 

Williams brings much needed veteran presence and size to a young front court that will consist of Strong, Jana El Alfy, Ice Brady, and Ayanna Patterson. Perhaps the biggest news post championship is the return of guard Azzi Fudd. With Fudd leading the backcourt alongside KK Arnold, UConn has the talent to sustain itself as one of the finest defensive teams in the nation.

Most importantly, the addition of Williams will allow Sarah Strong to stretch the floor. Knocking down 50 percent of her 3-point shots in the NCAA Tournament, Geno Auriemma may just have crafted a two-headed monster. Sarah Strong alone had 15 boards against South Carolina in the title game, and 17 against USC in the Elite Eight. 

The Huskies will mourn the loss of Bueckers. However, Williams brings much confidence that this UConn team is strong enough to contend and possibly repeat. Plus, Blanca Quiñonez, Gandy Malou-Mamel, and Kelis Fisher have all committed to UConn as freshman for the 2025-2026 season. 

The NCAAW Transfer Portal Has Been Active

The basketball world has witnessed the success of transfers like Hailey Van Lith and Georgia Amoore. Now, the transfer portal has seen prominent names fly off the board, including MiLaysia Fulwiley, Janiah Baker, Ta'Niya Latson, and Olivia Miles—just to name a few.

The fifth overall Canadian to play for the Huskies, Williams will help UConn compete along the several teams that have been active in the portal. With LSU, South Carolina, TCU, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Maryland shaking up their rosters, the college basketball landscape is entering a new era. 

Serah Williams makes the adjustment from a program that hasn't made the NCAA Tournament in 15 years—to a University with 12 National Titles. With this move, does UConn remain the team to beat?

Stay tuned for more NCAA and WNBA related articles.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Writer, Journalist, Content Creator, Managing Editor, and Manager for Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in the Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.