UConn head coach Geno Auriemma shared a story about how WNBA star and UConn alumna Diana Taurasi ended up joining the Huskies.
During an episode of "What Drives Winning" hosted by Brett Ledbetter, Auriemma sat alongside performance psychologist Jim Loehr and discussed matters related to the episode titled "The Power of Getting to Know Yourself."
Ledbetter asked Auriemma for his thoughts on recruiting a player who shared an upbringing similar to his own.
"I feel a connection... That’s actually a big reason why we got Diana (Taurasi) to UConn. Her father was born about 45 minutes from where I was born. And her parents were a lot like my parents except her dad was a professional soccer player," Auriemma responded (12:27 onwards).
"So me being born where I was born, having the experience that I’ve had, was 98% of why Diana came to UConn. Because Diana was the biggest bullshit artist that ever lived, ’cause she could bullshit her parents, ’cause her parents never lived that life," Auriemma jokingly added.
Auriemma and Taurasi shared four successful years at UConn, winning three consecutive NCAA championships from 2002 to 2004. Taurasi also earned numerous personal accolades, including two Naismith College Player of the Year awards, NCAA Tournament MOP honors and Honda Sports Awards in 2003 and 2004.
Most recently, Taurasi honored Auriemma after he achieved his 1,217th career win on November 20, 2024, against Fairleigh Dickinson, making him the winningest coach in college basketball history.
"You told me the things I needed to hear to be a better person, a better teammate, a better basketball player. As I see everyone here, whether we played on the same team or decades apart, we always put this jersey on to represent you because we know how much you love this team, the game of basketball, and your family," Taurasi said.
Diana Taurasi still contemplating retirement
Diana Taurasi, a 20-year WNBA veteran and future Hall of Famer, remains uncertain about whether she will play another season or retire.
"I don't take retirement lightly. I know the minute I say it or announce it, whether it's, you know, in a month or two months, I'm going to mean it," Taurasi said.
Taurasi’s 20th season with the Phoenix Mercury concluded with a 21-19 record. The team earned the 7th seed in the playoffs, but the Minnesota Lynx swept the Mercury in the first round.
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