Diana Taurasi‘s basketball career is the epitome of excellence. With three NCAA championships, three WNBA titles, six Olympic gold medals, and a host of individual accolades, she has cemented herself as one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen.
But her journey to the top was never just about talent-it was about tenacity, attitude, and an unwavering refusal to back down. That fire was evident from the moment she arrived at the University of Connecticut (UConn), where she encountered one of the toughest coaches in the game, Geno Auriemma.
Their relationship was built on mutual respect, occasional clashes, and a shared pursuit of greatness. One of the earliest battles between coach and player revolved around something seemingly trivial-her jersey number.
From the start, Taurasi challenged the norm. When she first stepped onto UConn‘s campus, she requested to wear the No.0 jersey-an unconventional choice for a rising star. Auriemma refused.
“She goes, ‘OK, I’ll wear double zero,'” he recalled. “So that’s what we’re dealing with.”
Despite her persistence, the legendary coach had other plans. He guided her toward No. 3, believing she had the potential to be the Babe Ruth of women’s basketball. She lived up to that expectation, leading the Huskies to three consecutive national titles and setting the stage for an extraordinary career.
Taurasi’s time at UConn was defined by more than just numbers on a jersey. Auriemma constantly pushed her limits, determined to shape her into the best player possible. One infamous drill involved Taurasi standing in the lane while teammates dribbled into her – Auriemma’s way of forcing her to take charges.
“I didn’t fall once,” Taurasi later admitted. “I was like, ‘Nah, I’m good.'” Her defiance led to her being thrown out of practice more than once, including one instance where Auriemma called her a “double dumbass” for her quick-witted retort.
A legacy that transformed women’s basketball
Taurasi‘s impact extended far beyond the UConn locker room. Her confidence, competitive nature, and undeniable skill captivated audiences, bringing new fans to women’s basketball.
“I wish I had $1 for every time I heard a guy say, ‘She’s the only reason I would ever watch a women’s basketball game,'” Auriemma reflected. “And this was 25 years ago, right? Obviously, we’ve evolved as men. But she had the ability to bring people to the game that otherwise would not think about watching a women’s basketball game.”
Her influence still resonates today. UConn players continue to be measured against her greatness, with Paige Bueckers recently surpassing Taurasi on the school’s all-time scoring list. But Auriemma insists that legacy isn’t just about statistics-it’s about attitude.
“I keep using Diana as an example,” he said. “Maya [Moore] was terrific too, don’t get me wrong, but Dee, at the time, was the greatest offensive player I’ve ever seen-certainly for us.”
Bueckers, while a different type of player, is beginning to embrace the aggression and killer instinct that defined Taurasi’s career. “At the end of the day, everyone is happy when we win, and I think we have a better chance of winning when I’m aggressive,” Bueckers acknowledged.
Auriemma continues to push her toward a “f**k you mentality”, urging her to approach the game like a boxer-throwing the first punch rather than waiting to react.
Taurasi’s career may have reached its final chapter, but her presence in the sport remains. She reshaped women’s basketball, inspired the next generation, and left behind a blueprint for what it takes to be legendary. At UConn, greatness isn’t a goal-it’s a standard.
Read the full article here
