Caroline Ducharme commits to UConn

Caroline Ducharme is headed to Storrs to play for Geno Auriemma

Another top player in the 2021 class is off the board, as Caroline Ducharme has verbally committed to head coach Geno Auriemma and the UConn Huskies, as first reported by Joe Fenelon. Ducharme, a native of Milton, MA, attends Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, MA and plays AAU for Exodus NYC.

Ducharme, who is currently ranked 41st in her class, according to ESPN, joins Amari DeBerry (No. 5) and Saylor Poffenbarger (No. 17) as members of the class of 2021 to commit to the Huskies.

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Ducharme was recently named Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year, after averaging 25.2 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 6. 4 assists per game. Ducharme, who has missed time due to injuries, came back from missing the entire season at Nobles last year, and had a terrific summer for Exodus, while participating in the always challenging Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL). She also helped guide her Nobles team to a NEPSAC AA championship this past March.

In having seen Ducharme play on a number of occasions, one thing is for certain: she is a matchup nightmare and extremely difficult to defend. She can score at all three levels, but what separates her is her will to score. She is capable of getting to the rim and finishing, while also having solid handle, a quick release, and the ability to get her shot off at any point and against any defender. Her ability to get her 3-point shot off is second to none in this class.

It’s not just her talent, but according to Nobles head coach Alex Gallagher, her work ethic and commitment are unmatched. “She demands that you coach her “hard” because her desire to be great is immense. She is competitive, fiery, and the hardest worker in the gym. When your best player plays that way every day it has a huge impact on the culture of the team,” he told High Post Hoops.

Auriemma, who is welcoming a terrific 2020 recruiting class to Storrs this fall, on paper, is building an extremely good, young roster. Auriemma has signed the No. 1 recruit in the 2020 class, Paige Bueckers, while also signing Mir McLean and Aaliyah Edwards – two other top-30 players in the class. Now, the Huskies add Ducharme, another elite-level scorer, to a young group that should have the Huskies looking to get back to familiar territory – the Final Four.

Her ability to be good at so many things may just help continue the UConn tradition, while also drawing comparisons to another former UConn great, which Gallagher agreed with. “I think she will fit in well because she has such a complete game. She can shoot, attack the paint, rebound and her basketball IQ is off the charts. Many people compare her game to Katie Lou Samuelson’s game (who happens to be one of Caroline’s heroes) and I think it is a great comparison. Caroline has a long way to go to reach that level but she is on her way.”

Ducharme will bring many positive characteristics to the Huskies in 2021, but one that pairs extremely well with UConn tradition is that she simply wins. Playing in the extremely tough and challenging AA class in the NEPSAC is no easy task. Ducharme was not just on the best team in that class – she was the best player on the best team.

UConn fans should be ecstatic. The future is extremely bright in Storrs and may be even brighter for Ducharme.

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