UConn hooper Kayleigh Heckel shares heartfelt note for former teammate Avery Howell's special day

UConn star Kayleigh Heckel penned a touching message for her former teammate, Avery Howell, on her birthday on Sunday. Heckel and Howell played together for the USC Trojans as freshmen last season, winning the Big Ten regular season title.

Heckel posted the heartwarming birthday message on her Instagram story, using a picture of herself and Avery from their time together at USC.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY AVES 🥹I love you so much and I miss you buddy, enjoy ur day❤️," Heckel wrote.

Screenshot via Instagram (@heckel_kayleigh/IG)

Both players saw limited action in their only season with the Trojans. Kayleigh Heckel started in seven of the 34 games she played, averaging 6.1 points and 1.9 assists in 16.9 minutes per game.

Meanwhile, Howell appeared in 35 games but was a starter in only three, averaging 7.5 ppg and 3.0 rpg, while playing 20.8 minutes per game.

After USC's season ended in the Elite Eight with a loss to UConn, Heckel and Howell entered the transfer portal. Heckel committed to coach Geno Auriemma and the national champion Huskies last month, while Howell decided to go to the Big Ten school, Washington.

Analyst says Kayleigh Heckel's addition makes UConn strongest team since Stewie era

Breanna Stewart, a New York Liberty forward, played for UConn from 2012 to 2016, winning four national titles and ushering in the 'Stewie era.'

The Huskies won the national championship last season — their first since the Stewart era — with Paige Bueckers leading the way. Now, with the addition of transfer guard Kayleigh Heckel, a McDonald's All-American, one analyst believes UConn is poised for another dominant run reminiscent of their past dynasty.

"If they get Kayleigh Heckel, this team could be the most talented team since the Breanna Stewart era — since the era of three, four national titles in a row," Mark Zanetto said in May. "The last time UConn had this much versatility was during the Stewie era.

"The only difference now is that this group has already proven it can win without really relying on just one person ... And now they’ve added size, they’ve added depth, and they’ve got a leader in Azzi Fudd coming back."

Heckel is an excellent facilitator who is a quick and offensive-minded player that Coach Auriemma can utilize in multiple ways.