The Advantageous Aubrey

UConn's Aubrey Griffin (center) hyping up her teammates before taking on Team USA on January 27th, 2020. Credit: Stephen Slade, UConn Athletics

This season has been quite the challenge for the UConn Huskies. With some early-season losses, two transfers, and multiple injured players, the Huskies have faced their adversity head-on. Sophomore Nika Mühl has made her comeback with freshman Azzi Fudd close behind, sophomore Paige Bueckers has a number of weeks before her possible return, one Husky cannot return to play. The lone junior, Aubrey Griffin, will not be able to play this season after having her back surgery last Monday. A crowd favorite, Griffin will be missed on the Husky bench.

Aubrey Griffin is a 6’1 junior from Ossining, New York. Griffin comes from a lineage of basketball players. Her father, Adrian Griffin, played at Seton Hall and played professionally for ten years. Adrian is now an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors. Her brother Alan played for Illinois and Syracuse and currently plays in the NBA G League. The youngest Griffin sibling, AJ, is committed to playing basketball for Duke.

Prior to her career debut at UConn, Griffin was the No.21 ranked recruit in her class and ranked as the No.6 forward. Griffin was a 2019 McDonald’s and WBCA All-American. The class of 2019 recruits included No.1 Hailey Jones of Stanford, No.3 Aliyah Boston of South Carolina, and No.9 Aijha Blackwell of Missouri. The only other freshman to join the UConn bench that year was former Husky, Anna Makurat, who left after last season to play professionally in Poland.

Griffin (44) goes to block South Carolina's Zia Cooke during their matchup last February. Credit: Stephen Slade, UConn Athletics

During her freshman year as a Husky, Griffin played in all 32 games off the bench. As a key transitional player for the Huskies, Griffin was second on the team for steals earning 48 on the 2018-2019 season. Grabbed 172 rebounds total, earning her career-high 16 in her first year against Temple in the ACC quarter-final. Standing at 6’1, she was second on the season with 18 blocks. Griffin recorded her first career double-double against Seton Hall with 25 points and 12 rebounds. In her first season, Griffin scored 205 points. There was no NCAA Tournament that year, though Griffin was named to the 2020 American Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team.

With a new season and boatload of Covid protocols, Aubrey was back for her sophomore season. She played in 29 games, earning 5 career starts. Griffin made her presence known while on defense. With her height and grounded stance, Griffin was able to draw charges on multiple players during games. Famously, Griffin took two charges from Baylor’s DiJonai Carrington during the 2021 NCAA Elite Eight. Carrington was finally called for her last two that resulted in turnovers.

Griffin’s best game last season was a Big East matchup against the Providence Friars. She scored 18 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and two steals. For the 2020-2021 season, Griffin was sixth on the team for points, fifth in total rebounds, fourth in steals, and third in blocks. As a forward, Griffin is quick on her feet, sometimes hard to catch.

Griffin (44) goes for a pull-up shot during an ACC matchup against USF in the '19-20 season. Credit: Stephen Slade, UConn Athletics

The start of the 2021-2022 season saw Griffin sitting with Saylor Poffenbarger on the end of the UConn bench. While Poffenbarger was dealing with her own injury, Saylor ultimately decided to transfer to Arkansas. Griffin herself was dealing with foot and ongoing back issues. She was not able to begin her third season as a player. It was announced on January 10th that Griffin had undergone back surgery for her spinal issues. She has a four-month recovery time and will not be able to play this season. Coach Geno Auriemma is hopeful that her recovery should have her back by mid-summer.

It is hard to look at the UConn bench and not see Aubrey wreathed in smiles. Her energy and effervesce are missed by her fans. No one misses her most than her teammates, coaches, and family on that court. With her recovery, the Husky fan base has sent out their love and support to Aubrey during these next few months. It will be a bit of time before we get the see her dawn her No.44 jersey but her comeback will keep us on our toes.

Love to No. 44.

Griffin (right) defends Tenneese's Rae Burrell last January. Credit: Kate Luffman, Tennessee Athletics.