UConn freshman guard KK Arnold became the first player from Wisconsin to join the program, but Allie Ziebell isn’t too far behind her.

Ziebell, a 6-foot guard from Neenah, Wisconsin and the No. 4-ranked recruit in the nation according to ESPNW, will be joining the UConn team next season. Arnold and Ziebell have been able to connect through different events throughout the year.

“I've got to know her over a course of a couple different basketball events over the summer. I think no one else being from Wisconsin because Wisconsin basketball is so underrated — we have so much good talent here and just seeing that be represented now is really cool,” Ziebell said.

“And then just following behind and just getting advice from her. Just like the distance or like how different it is and then traveling home. I'm really excited. She's just such a great pass-first guard, really competitive, great defensive player. So, I'm excited.”

UConn struck Ziebell because of the support that so many people and fans have for the program.

“I would say when I went to UConn, I always knew that was the school I was always interested in. That was by far my favorite one and then when I visited there, I was like, ‘Well, I just want to make sure this really is a good fit for me and I'm not just picturing something,’” Ziebell said.

“So, when I went there, I think it was really just the culture of people that are there. The coaching staff, the players and then the support they get is insane. So, I think really just that whole environment and wanting to be a part of that was just surreal for me.”

When Ziebell first met coach Geno Auriemma it left her star-struck.

“I just love how he presents himself. He's very straightforward. He's not gonna lie to you or tell you anything to try to sell you to get you to go there,” Ziebell said. “He's just gonna be completely honest and I just think he's such a great person and coach.”

Ziebell and fellow Class of 2024 recruit Morgan Cheli, a 6-foot-2 guard from Los Altos, California, who is ranked 18th in the nation, were both recently named Naismith All-Americans. Cheli was a first team honoree and Ziebell was named an honorable mention selection.

Both incoming players were also named to the McDonald’s All-America Team and to the 2024 Jordan Brand Classic Girls’ National Team.

Ziebell recently led Neenah High School to a state championship berth, the Rockets first state tournament bid since 2009, finishing her career with 2,819 points, fourth in state history.

She was named 2023-24 Wisconsin MaxPreps High School Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year, following UConn’s Arnold, who won it the last two seasons.

Ziebell is excited to translate her game to the court wearing a UConn jersey.

“I would say just experiencing the team game. It's so competitive and yes, like there's a lot of, I would say, accomplishments for yourself, like individual goals,” Ziebell said.

“But I think the biggest thing for me is just seeing someone else score, someone else get something that they've always dreamed of. I just love the team aspect of basketball because you don't see that in particularly every sport.”

She has always looked up to UConn players, in particular Sue Bird, whose videos she still goes back to watch.

Ziebell is looking forward to the McDonald’s All-American Game on April 2 in Houston. She once was a little girl shooting at halftime of the 2017 McDonald’s All American Game in Chicago, dreaming that she could maybe be on that stage one day.

“So I saw it when I was in class and then got called out because we had a game that day anyway. So I went home and then my dad sent me the picture of me in 2017 shooting at halftime of the McDonald's All-American game,” Ziebell said.

“So, it's just really cool just to see I was there when I was really young and then I get to be a part of it now. ... And then just continuing to do what I do and let's see what's happens from there really.”