feature-image

Imago

feature-image

Imago

Aaliyah Edwards is a UConn Legend. In her four years at the program, she averaged 13.4 points and 7.3 rebounds while taking UConn to three Final Fours and a championship game. She ranks 15th in program history with 1,861 career points, eighth in rebounds with 1,020, and sixth in program history with 35 career double-doubles. As a result, Edwards is being inducted into Huskies of Honor. However, her induction has been delayed because of Unrivaled. 

Terrell Owens holding Dude Wipes XL

Unrivaled’s schedule has changed this season, starting on January 4 instead of January 17 last year. There were a multitude of reasons, including the FIBA Qualification Tournament beginning March 17, which many Unrivaled players will participate in. And also to avoid clashing with the late-season college basketball and March Madness attention. However, it will still affect Aliyah Edwards’ coronation with Geno Auriemma’s Huskies.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

“NEWS: UConn women’s basketball will induct Aaliyah Edwards into the Huskies of Honor on Jan. 28 ahead of its game vs Xavier. Edwards’ ceremony was originally scheduled for next Monday, Jan. 19, but was rescheduled due to a scheduling conflict with Unrivaled,” reported Maggie Vanoni. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Edwards plays with the Lunar Owls in Unrivaled, who have a game scheduled on January 19 against Vinyl, but have a four-day break between January 26 and January 30. In 2025, playing for Mist BC, she averaged 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, she still finished as a runner-up in the 1-v-1 tournament, losing the finals to Napheesa Collier. In season two, Edwards is stepping up for Lunar Owls. In 3 games, she is averaging 24.7 points and 12 rebounds, including that 38-point, 13-rebound performance against the Laces. Edwards will need to continue this performance until they get their Ace back. As her ceremony date moves, Edwards continues to make headlines for another reason: her demanding role with the Lunar Owls.

ADVERTISEMENT

Aaliyah Edwards Under Pressure With Skylar Diggins Out 

It has been a disappointing start for Lunar Owls. They have been comfortably beaten in all three games despite Aliyah Edwards’ outstanding performances. The loss of Napheesa Collier has been evident in their play, and Skylar Diggins is also out with an injury. That leaves Edwards and the team without many weapons and it has been evident so far. 

“I mean, obviously huge blow (Skylar Diggins), but at the same time, we’re not using it as an excuse. It’s our team is fairly new to this game,” coach DJ Sackmann said after the Phantom loss. “We got a lot of new players. Even Marina didn’t really play last season. So, we’re trying to get used to the game. Timmy just got here. Um, and we have been collectively pretty injured, so practice has been difficult.”

ADVERTISEMENT

article-image

Imago

Currently, the Owls only have Edwards and Marina Mabrey contributing. Mabrey is averaging 27 points, 7.3 assists, and 6.7 rebounds. Rachel Banham, Rebecca Allen, and Temi Fagbenle, who are sharing minutes, are combined, averaging 13.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. They need either of the three to step up to get some results. At the same time, Mabrey and Edwards will need to continue in the same form, or it’s a quick road to finishing the season at the bottom of the table.

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Soham Kulkarni

1,255 Articles

Soham Kulkarni is a WNBA Writer at EssentiallySports, where he focuses on data-backed reporting and performance analysis. A Sports Management graduate, he examines how spacing in efficiency zones, shot selection, and statistical shifts drive results. His work goes beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, helping readers see how underlying trends affect player efficiency and the evolving strategies of the women’s game. With a detail-oriented and analytical approach, Soham turns complex data into accessible narratives that bring clarity to the fastest-moving moments of basketball. His reporting captures not just what happened, but why it matters, showing fans how small efficiency gains, defensive structures, and tempo shifts can alter outcomes. At ES, he provides a sharper, stats-first lens on the WNBA’s present and future.

Know more

Edited by

editor-image

Snigdhaa Jaiswal

ADVERTISEMENT