Storrs, Connecticut - After losing their star Paige Bueckers for the upcoming season to an ACL injury earlier this month, UConn basketball took their search overseas to add another point guard to their roster.

Prospect Inês Bettencourt will join the team from the Azores in Portugal as a freshman, the university confirmed on Friday.

The 5-foot-9 "true point guard" will provide depth for the Huskies behind junior Nika Mühl, who is expected to replace Bueckers as a starting point guard this season.

"She loves to distribute the ball and can make shots," UConn's head coach Geno Auriemma said of Bettencourt's ballgame.

"She's used to playing in the European style of ball movement, ball screens, lots of 2-man game, 3-man game. I think she's a tough kid and a great competitor. I'm thrilled that we were able to find her."

Earlier this month, Bettencourt represented Portugal at the 2022 FIBA U18 Women's European Championship in Division B.

There, she finished as the fourth-best player in the tournament with 14.4 points, 4.6 steals, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.

Bettencourt led Portugal to the championship face off and was named to the All-Star Five for her performance throughout the tournament.

"Being a UConn Husky is a dream come true," she said as she becomes the school's first ever player from Portugal. "I'm extremely excited to start this adventure and give my all in blue and white."

Bettencourt is now the program's fifth international member this season, joining Nika Mühl from Croatia, Aaliyah Edwards from Canada, Lou Lopez Senechal of France, and Dorka Juhasz of Hungary.