SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – UConn women's basketball redshirt junior Jana El Alfy was named to the 20-player watch list for the 2027 Lisa Leslie Award, as announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced Friday.

The Lisa Leslie Award, now in its 10th year, recognizes the top center in NCAA Division I women's college basketball. It is named after the three-time All-American, 1994 National Player of the Year, and Class of 2015 Hall of Famer.

El Alfy averaged 4.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last season. She set a career high with 16 rebounds vs. Providence on Feb. 22. El Alfy shot a season-best 62.8% from the field last season.

In her first year playing at UConn, El Alfy was a starter on the 2025 NCAA Championship team. She averaged 5.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in her redshirt freshman season.

In UConn's three preseason games, El Alfy returned to the starting lineup and averaged 6.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

On Monday, senior KK Arnold was named to the Nancy Lieberman Award, which goes to the nation's top point guard, and on Wednesday, sophomore Blanca Quiñonez was named to the Cheryl Miller Award watch list for the nation's top small forward. Junior Sarah Strong was selected to the Katrina McClain Award watch list for the nation's top power forward.

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting today, Friday, October 31, via hoophallawards.com.

No. 2-ranked UConn officially opens the 2026-27 season vs. Cornell in PeoplesBank Arena next Monday, Nov. 2, at 5 p.m. The game will air on Peacock/NBC Sports Network.