“If you’re gonna be our leader, we’re gonna suck”: When Geno Auriemma changed the course of Diana Taurasi’s career
Former UConn star Diana Taurasi is arguably one of Geno Auriemma's top freshman recruits. Although the duo did not win the national championship in her first year, Taurasi ultimately became the most decorated player in the program's history—winning three championships.
Their first year together was anything but smooth, as they clashed over her personality. When Taurasi arrived at Storrs in 2001, she was just 19 years old with a stubborn attitude that Auriemma felt needed to be molded before she could become the player she was destined to be.
In an interview with Graham Bensinger in 2017, Geno Auriemma shared insights on the tumultuous relationship with Taurasi in her freshman season. He recalled the time when he threw her out of practice:
"There's a couple of drills that we're doing and she just says 'Screw it, I'm not doing this anymore. I quit. I'm just gonna stand here and go ahead do whatever you want I'm not participating' ... we said finally get out and she left but that was the only time it ever happened." Geno said. [TS - 2:18]
Furthermore, after her freshman year, where she averaged 10.9 points, 3.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game, Geno blatantly informed Taurasi that there were issues she needed to address before taking the lead at UConn.
"I said 'You have a chance to be the best player ever, but you've got some issues you have to address," he added.
"After we lose in the national championship game ... when we got back home I made a point to tell her 'we're not gonna win any games next year with you as our leader because you're immature you don't care enough ... if you're gonna be our leader we're gonna suck' ... and she set out to prove me wrong."
Diana Taurasi plans to visit UConn to honor Geno Auriemma
After winning three NCAA titles at UConn, Taurasi went on to have a legendary career in the WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury, winning three championships and five scoring titles.
Taurasi has confirmed that she will be at Gampel Pavilion on Nov. 20 to celebrate coach Geno Auriemma's 40th season.
"I will be there ready to cheer on my Huskies and congratulate Coach Auriemma and CD," she said. "Forty-years ... Just think about it. He has a chance to become the all-time winningest coach."
Auriemma, an eight-time Naismith Coach of the Year, is just three wins away from surpassing former Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer's career win total of 1,216.