UConn celebrates former Huskies making their mark at Paris Olympics 2024 with Team USA ft. Steph Curry

Some of basketball's greatest players have once called UConn their home and won accolades in the Huskies uniform. On top of the list are the women's basketball players, who have taken over the WNBA and are now ready for their Olympic run.

The Huskies' Instagram shared a series of pictures featuring former UConn players at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Among others, hoopers highlighted in the photos were Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart with Stephen Curry and Diana Taurasi. The first picture in the carousel of captures below was initially taken by Stewart after sharing a boat ride with Team USA men's basketball.

However, some UConn players were not included in this photo dump. These include Gabby Williams for France and Tiffany Hayes for Azerbaijan from the women's basketball program, along with Karlie Kisha for USA and Cecile Pieper for Germany in women's field hockey.

Former UConn great Diana Taurasi will play her last Olympics

After helping UConn win three consecutive NCAA championships, Diana Taurasi transitioned to the WNBA in 2004. The same year, she played for Team USA in the Athens Olympics and won gold. Since then, Taurasi has led Team USA to gold in every Olympic game, from Beijing to London, Rio and Tokyo.

The Mercury guard, along with Spain's Rudy Fernandez, became the only basketball player to appear in six Olympics. However, the 42-year-old has indicated that this will be her last Olympics. When asked about the 2028 LA games by the media, she said:

"Yeah, you're gonna see me in LA on the beach with a beer."

However, Diana Taurasi also spoke against those questioning her roster spot. She has been facing many questions about her retirement and, to this, the veteran who has spent two decades on the hard court said:

“I’m here to compete. I’m here to play at a high level. I’m here to give to my teammates and I’m here to win a gold medal. That’s it. I don’t care about the last 20 years. I’m worried about the next 20 years.

“Only a woman would have 20 years of experience and it’s an Achilles heel instead of something that is treasured and used as a way forward for our sport and for women. So hopefully we can change that narrative.” [H/T Olympics.com]

Taurasi will be looking for her sixth gold medal as Team USA continues to maintain its dominance in basketball.

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