“I’m the only person in America you can’t con”: Geno Auriemma talks about why he has a precious bond with Diana Taurasi

UConn coach Geno Auriemma spoke about the deep connection he shares with UConn alum and WNBA star Diana Taurasi, a bond that has endured beyond basketball over the years.

In a YouTube episode of "What Drives Winning," titled "The Power of Getting to Know Yourself," Auriemma joined host Brett Ledbetter and guest Jim Loehr to discuss meaningful topics in sports. During the episode released on Monday, Auriemma reflected on his relationship with Taurasi, noting their shared backgrounds and similar experiences growing up.

"My parents never knew anything that I was doing from the time I was 13 or 14—nothing. They didn’t understand it," Auriemma said. "So, I told Dee (Diana), I said, ‘Dee, I’m the only person in America you can’t con,’ and she knew it.

"And I lived her life, and we had a bond that, because of the way I lived my life and how she was growing up, went way, way beyond basketball."

(From 13:22 - 13:53).

Recently, Taurasi and Auriemma had the chance to reconnect when Taurasi witnessed her former coach become the winningest coach in NCAA Division I history on Nov. 21. Auriemma secured his 1,217th career victory with an 85-41 win over Fairleigh Dickinson.

Taurasi joked about the achievement, playfully calling out Auriemma’s wife, Kathy, and recalling their driveway conversations about being “done” with the coach.

She also shared a humorous moment about regularly repeating one of Auriemma’s classic quotes, describing it as the most “Geno” thing she often finds herself saying.

Currently, Taurasi is still weighing her options after completing 20 seasons in the WNBA. She turned 42 in June and has spent her entire professional career with the Phoenix Mercury.

Despite her age, Taurasi remained productive in 2024, earning All-Star honors and averaging 14.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game to help the Phoenix Mercury get the seventh seed in the WNBA playoffs. She also won her sixth gold medal with the United States women's basketball team at the 2024 Olympics.

UConn falls in latest AP rankings

It seems the holidays may be challenging for UConn and coach Geno Auriemma, as the team dropped to No. 7 in the latest AP rankings.

The AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Poll, released on Monday, revealed that UConn, despite holding a 10-2 record, fell three spots from No. 4 in Week 7 to No. 7 in Week 8.

In Week 8, UConn achieved a dominant 101-68 victory over Iowa State. However, its drop in rankings is largely attributed to its loss to USC, which climbed three spots to No. 4 with an 11-1 record.

The Huskies will close out 2024 at home in the XL Center on Sunday, facing Providence in their final game of the year and their second matchup against a Big East opponent.