Geno Auriemma expresses pride in Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart's UConn connection, hails their 'courageous' Unrivaled investment

Geno Auriemma expressed his pride in Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier's Unrivaled initiative. The former UConn players have founded the upcoming 3x3 women's basketball league, slated to feature its first game on Jan. 17.

"Well, they learned how to play basketball at UConn, they learned how to grow up, they learned how to be great teammates and they paid attention and learned where the money is and that if you're gonna put too much effort into it, how to find a way to capitalize on it," he said.

"So, I'm incredibly proud of how they represent themselves and their families and they how they represent the WNBA and what they've done, which took a lot of courage coz you don't know if its actually gonna go.

"Everywhere they go and everything they do, they will always be mention that they played at UConn... we are gonna be part of that, i couldn't be prouder, feels like my own kids at home."

Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier's aim behind Unrivaled is to provide a competitive platform for women during the offseason and an alternative to playing overseas. Huskies' current member Paige Bueckers was the first NCAA athlete to sign a NIL deal with the league.

The games, featuring condensed full-court, 18-second shot clock and seven-minute quarters with three players on each side, will be played in a custom-built Miami facility.

Geno Auriemma embarrassed KK Arnold in the post-game conference

A hilarious moment unfolded before Geno Auriemma's praised his former players during the post-game conference. Facing the media with Paige Beuckers, who returned against St. John's Red Storm after a two-game absence, Auriemma confronted KK Arnold even before she sat next to him.

Auriemma expressed doubts on whether Arnold's performance was worthy enough to do the interviews.

"You? Jesus! That's all you gotta do to get up on the podium?" he said.

Geno Auriemma's comment stemmed from the norm that the team's highest scorers reserve the right to sit next to the coach in post-game interviews. UConn's 71-45 win was led by Azzi Fudd's 13 and Bueckers' 12 points. KK Arnold scored six points alongside four assists and two steals.