TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jana El Alfy’s parents flew from Cairo to Poland to New York to Tampa to watch their daughter play with UConn for the first time.
They got to see her celebrate a championship with the Huskies.
El Alfy, a 19-year-old starting center, was limited by foul trouble and had two points and two rebounds in UConn’s 82-59 victory over South Carolina on Sunday. The powerful, 6-foot-5 Egyptian played a key role in a semifinal victory over UCLA and should be a major force for Geno Auriemma’s program next season and beyond.
“It’s awesome,” Ehab El Alfy said about his daughter winning a national title. “I’m so happy to watch my daughter live in the final. I’m so proud of her. It’s an amazing moment for me.”
Jana's parents were on the court for the postgame celebration and watched her cut off a piece of the net. She teared up talking about what it meant to have them there. An uncle and cousin also came to see her play.
“It means everything. I’m so happy that they’re here to get to experience this with me,” El Alfy said. “It’s a feeling I never would’ve imagined. Having them here is unexplainable. I know they’re super proud and that’s all I ever wanted.”
Ehab El Alfy and his wife, Dina Gouda, traveled 25 hours to see their daughter play in person in the Final Four. They waited for UConn to make the Elite Eight, hoping to see two games. Jana had six points, eight rebounds and four blocks against UCLA to help the Huskies advance.
UConn fans treated Ehab El Alfy and his wife like celebrities on the concourse of Amalie Arena. They were stopped by several Huskies supporters to pose for selfies.
“This is a wonderful team, wonderful teammates and staff,” Gouda said. “I love all of them. All of them are like sisters, like family. Everywhere I walk, I feel the love and I see how much they love Jana. I’m very proud.”
El Alfy’s love for basketball came from her dad. Ehab El Alfy is the head coach of the Egyptian women’s national team. Jana led the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup with 21.4 points per game and was fourth in the tournament with 11.0 rebounds per game. She led the 2022 U18 African Championship tournament with 24.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, powering Egypt to silver. Jana also competed at the 2021 FIBA U16 African Championship and the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup.
“From 5 years old, she started playing basketball and she followed me every game,” Ehab Al Alfy said. “She always played (up). I expected her to play at a high level. I’m so happy she’s playing at UConn.”
Jana averaged 5.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in the regular season, coming back from an Achilles tendon injury that forced her to redshirt as a freshman. She joined UConn's women's program in January 2023 and had to overcome adversity before she could make her debut. El Alfy recorded a double-double in her first game against Boston University and became an important part of UConn's 12th national championship team.
“I’m so proud of the person I am today and how far I’ve come,” she said. “I never would’ve imagined being here right now, a kid from Egypt loving the game. It’s hard to process. It’s very emotional. If it wasn’t for Coach and the coaching staff bringing me here all the way from Egypt, it means a lot.”
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South Carolina forward Chloe Kitts (21) is double teamed by UConn forward Sarah Strong (21) and center Jana El Alfy (8) during the second half of the national championship game at the Final Four of the women's NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
UConn center Jana El Alfy (8), forward Ice Brady (25) and guard Morgan Cheli (23) react during the second half of the national championship game against South Carolina at the Final Four of the women's NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
