Basketball New Zealand

Tall Fern centre Jessica McCormack at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games (Photosport)

NZ Tall Black Jess McCormack is excited about her transfer to one of US college basketball’s premier women’s programmes, the University of Connecticut, later this year.

The 1.94m centre, currently preparing for the Ferns’ upcoming pre-Olympic tour of Europe, has confirmed her signing with the Huskies under coaching guru Geno Auriemma.

“It’s going to be great,” insists McCormack. “I can’t wait.”

Under Auriemma, who has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and the women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, Connecticut have won five national championships and completely dominated the Big East Conference, winning a total of 30 conference regular season and tournament titles over his 23 years.

This year, UConn compiled a 36-2 record and made their fifth consecutive NCAA Final Four appearance before losing to Stanford University in the semifinals.

“Obviously, I’ll be getting some great coaching and I’m always going to be learning from Geno,” says McCormack (18). “I’ve met all the girls and they’re amazing … I’ve already seen them play quite a bit via the internet.”

McCormack was first selected for the national team in 2005 at the age of 15, won a silver medal at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, and is regarded by coach Mike McHugh as a future international and professional star.

“I am delighted Jess has been presented with this opportunity,” he says. “UConn is considered one of the top women’s basketball programmes in the US and Geno Auriemma among the great coaches.

“The opportunity for Jess to train and play against some of the premier players in the country on a daily basis will provide acceleration and impetus for her development.”

But her first US college experience ended unhappily this year when she sought an early release from the University of Washington, averaging 7.7 points (46.6% FG, 65.0% FT) and 4.5 rebounds in 19 games as a freshman.

While McCormack has landed on her feet in her search for a new school, as a transfer, she will have to sit out a season before taking the court for the Huskies.

“I think that will be a good thing,” she says. “I will still get experience and a chance to work on areas I need to improve to be ready next year.”

McCormack sees the scholarship as a foot in the door of a professional career once she leaves college. Many of Auriemma’s charges have gone on to star in the WNBA.

“I definitely want to play professionally when I’m finished and this will give me a really good chance in terms of coaching and profile.”