“They go someplace else to play basketball and it’s usually for money”: When Geno Auriemma detailed how young ballers are “confused”

UConn coach Geno Auriemma is considered by many as one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time. In his now 40-year tenure at the helm of the UConn Huskies women's basketball program, Auriemma has achieved it all, from becoming the winningest college coach ever to winning a total of 11 national championships.

The 70-year-old has produced some of the greatest players in women's basketball such as Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird. But according to him, he would rather see the college rules changed, even if it costs him his national titles.

In a sit-down interview with MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle back in June 2024, the Huskies' main tactician discussed the "confusion" caused by the current rules to go pro. Currently, the WNBA requires their prospects to either have graduated from college or be at least 22 years old.

"I'd rather have one-and-dones. I'd rather them be able to go professionally at the end of their first year. If that was the case, we wouldn't have 11 national championships if there was one-and-done. 'Cause every one of my great players would have left after year one," he shared. (13:15)

Geno Auriemma says he's okay with losing his top players. In his eyes, they're attending school to be professional basketball players, so they should leave when they're ready. But because of the current system, the players still think they are going to school to get a degree when in reality they are more like professionals with fewer opportunities.

"No, they're not (going to school for a degree). They're coming there to play basketball and if they don't like the basketball, they go someplace else to play basketball and it's usually for money. They're the same as pros but they don't have the same opportunities that the men have in professional basketball. So, we've created an environment where they're confused," he explained.

While Geno Auriemma is an advocate of women's basketball players being allowed to play as one-and-dones, he remains successful under the current system. He continues to produce seniors who are ready to take over the WNBA such as Paige Bueckers, who is projected as the No. 1 pick in next year's WNBA draft.

Kim Mulkey asserts that veteran coaches like her and Geno Auriemma have adapted already

LSU coach Kim Mulkey was also present in the interview, and when she was asked about her thoughts on the matter, she echoed the same sentiments as her UConn counterpart. While she says that they are also guilty of utilizing the transfer portal, Mulkey asserts that older college coaches nowadays have learned how to be more vigilant of player transfers and rising NIL deals.

"If I had to say a compliment to Geno and really to myself is we've been able to adapt. We've been able to adapt and survive this new generation of rules and everything that we have to handle now. Doesn't mean we like nor agree with it," she expressed. (14:30)

Both Kim Mulkey and Geno Auriemma are seasoned veterans when it comes to coaching at the college level, and their current teams are once again among the top contenders to win this season's national championship.