UConn lands transfer from Duke, sophomore center Azurá Stevens

Sophomore center Azurá Stevens heads to Connecticut after transferring from Duke. The Raleigh, N.C. native will be forced to sit out the 2016-17 season due to NCAA transfer rules. She will have two years of eligibility remaining beginning with the 2017-18 campaign.

“We don’t usually get involved in transfer situations but this particular one was intriguing,” head women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma said. “Getting the chance to speak with Azurá and having her on campus to meet with the coaches and the players really convinced us and her that this was the right place for her going forward. We are excited and anxious to get Azurá up here and start summer school and look forward to her being a part of our team.”

“Words can’t express how excited I am to have this opportunity to be part of the UConn family,” Stevens said. “I appreciate the hospitality that my teammates and coaches showed to me this weekend. I am eager to start my new journey with the Huskies and can’t wait to get back up to Storrs this summer.”

• Stevens was honored as an All-ACC First Team selection following the 2015-16 season after averaging team highs of 18.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. The 6-6 center finished second in the league in scoring and led the conference in rebounding.
• An All-ACC Tournament Second Team pick during her sophomore year, Stevens started 26 games during her freshman year and was honored as an All-ACC Second Team pick following her rookie year.
• Saw action in 25 games, earning a spot in the starting lineup in each contest in 2015-16, led the squad at 53.5 percent field goal shooting and 53 blocks.
• Helped lead the USA Basketball Team in the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship to a gold medal in Chekhov, Russia with an 8-0 record. Averaged 11.1 points and 5.1 rebounds for USA, while starting all eight games. Scored 18 points in the gold medal game against Russia. Was joined on the team by UConn’s Napheesa Collier and Crystal Dangerfield.
• Sister, Da’Shena played basketball at St. John’s (2008-12) and is now an assistant coach with the Red Storm.