Storrs — UConn freshman KK Arnold “puts herself out there.” That’s the way coach Geno Auriemma describes her effervescent personality.

That means that Arnold might hear a little more chirping from the coach as the UConn women’s basketball team begins its preseason with a 10-day trip to Europe, beginning with Wednesday’s game in Zagreb, Croatia, the hometown of senior guard Nika Muhl.

“I’ve always said that the people who communicate the most, talk the most, are always engaged, they’re the ones that get my wrath more that anybody,” Auriemma said last week.

“Because I love the fact they’re holding themselves accountable by holding everybody else accountable. Which means I can hold them accountable more than the guys who don’t put themselves out there like that.”

Told by a member of the media that Arnold said it was an honor to be yelled at by Auriemma, Auriemma responded: “She’s gonna be honored a lot the next 10 days.”

Arnold, a 5-foot-9 point guard from Germantown, Wisconsin, who will wear jersey No. 2 for the Huskies, was the sixth-ranked recruit in the high school Class of 2023 by ESPN.

She averaged 23.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 3.3 steals as a senior, earning her recognition as a McDonald’s All-American, and she has extensive experience as a member of USA Basketball.

Arnold is the heir to the throne at point guard, presumably following the graduation of seniors Muhl and Paige Bueckers, whenever that may be (both have extra eligibilty due to injuries and COVID). But Arnold isn’t waiting that long to make an impression.

“She’s, ever since she came here, brought so much energy,” Muhl said. “So much positivity, so much hustle, grit, toughness. It’s really good to be around her off and on the court. I think she’s going to have an amazing season for us this year. She’s going to be a key for us, defensively, offensively. ... I can’t wait to play press defense with her.”

“KK, she has so much energy,” UConn junior guard Azzi Fudd said. “I can’t even describe it. Defensively, she’s everywhere. She wants to push and go fast (on offense) just like we want to do, but defensively she’s everywhere. ... Like, how is this girl still going?”

Arnold has already shown the UConn media pool her favorite dance move. She has been on campus all summer and has acclimated herself to her teammates and the expectations of a program which has won a record 11 national championships.

She is one of three freshmen on the 14-player roster, joining Ashlynn Shade, a 5-10 shooting guard from Noblesville, Indiana, and Qadence Samuels, a 6-2 wing from Forestville, Maryland.

“Definitely, now, I’m out of my shell,” Arnold said last Friday at the Werth Family Champions Center prior to practice. “Everybody knows my personality now, so before practice I have my dance or something before but when it’s time to put my game face on and everything, I’m ready to go, I’m ready to play.

“Like I said, the first week, getting used to playing with those guys (teammates) and watching them, I’m like, ‘Oh, shoot, this is actually happening.’ So to actually be on the court with them, actually be acclimated with their playing style and everything, it’s been pretty good.”

After Wednesday’s game in Croatia, UConn will have games remaining Friday in Ljubljana, Slovenia; Monday in Bologna, Italy; and Wednesday, Aug. 23 in Venice, Italy.

Arnold said the biggest criticism of her game so far is needing have patience, slowing down just a bit with her decision-making process.

Auriemma calls her “the biggest surprise.”

“I think, simply because of her explosive energy,” Auriemma said of what surprised him most. “She just is able to summon that up the entire practice on both sides of the floor. On the offensive end, she’s just dynamic in the plays she makes and on the defensive end she’s extremely disruptive.

“It’s an element that we didn’t have last year (due to injuries) and it gives Nika an opportunity to play fresh the entire game instead of playing half the game fresh and half the game dead tired. So I would say (Arnold) has been incredibly impressive to everybody.”

v.fulkerson@theday.com