“Coach means the world to me”: UConn icon Diana Taurasi gives heartfelt tribute to coach Geno Auriemma after emotional loss to Seattle

Even as Diana Taurasi was contemplating retirement, coach Geno Auriemma's impact on her legendary career continued to show. With the Phoenix Mercury falling to the Seatle Storm (89-70), Taurasi gave a heartfelt speech that not only hinted at her last run but also on her entire basketball journey.

The six-time Olympic medalist thanked UConn women's coach Auriemma, who was in attendance, for constantly pushing her during her college days and putting her on the path of success.

“Coach means the world to me," Taurasi said. "I got to Connecticut as an 18-year-old that didn’t really know much but thought she knew a lot, and he quickly told me I didn’t.

"And he let me know that every day because he knew if I could just scratch the surface of where he thought I could go, something special could happen,” she added.

Diana Taurasi played under Geno Auriemma from 2000 to 2004. The Huskies saw four consecutive Final Four appearances as she soon became the best player on the roster. Taurasi led UConn to back-to-back titles in her sophomore, junior and senior years.

Apart from Geno Auriemma, Diana Taurasi’s parents, siblings, high school teammates and former UConn teammates were also present in the arena, cheering for her in what could have been her last game in Connecticut.

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Diana Taurasi made bold promise to UConn fans before winning three titles

Diana Taurasi was Geno Auriemma’s most prized freshman in 2001. She averaged 10.9 points (44.4% shooting) alongside 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals at UConn’s NCAA run was ended with a 15-point loss to Notre Dame in the Final Four, with Taurasi shooting a dismal 1-of-15 in the game.

Taurasi promised UConn fans that her squad “will not lose another tournament game while I’m wearing this uniform.” True to her words, she led UConn to three consecutive titles, etching her name as the best player in the most successful D1 program in women’s basketball.

In her sophomore season, she improved her overall game, averaging 14.5 ppg, 5.3 apg, 4.1 rpg, 1.3 spg, and 1.2 bpg, and shooting a near 45% from the arc.

Taurasi's junior year was her breakout season, averaging 17.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg and 4.4 apg. Moreover, it was the first season she played without senior players like Ashja Jones, Swin Cash and Sue Bird.

Diana Taurasi focused on defense in her final year. With her career-best 1.6 steals per game, her offense came mostly by putting her teammates in optimal positions to succeed on offense.