PHOENIX — UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma had dinner with Diana Taurasi Wednesday night in Phoenix ahead of the Huskies’ Final Four matchup against the South Carolina Gamecocks.
“In typical D fashion, she’s the story,” Auriemma said with a smile, referring to his former player.
The Huskies are staying on Taurasi Way in downtown Phoenix during the Final Four, a street named after the Phoenix Mercury legend who spent her entire 20-year WNBA career in the desert. UConn practiced at Phoenix’s Mountain America Performance Center, where Taurasi’s name and logo graces the basketball courts.
“Being able to practice at her facility, staying on her road, being in her city, it is incredible,” senior guard Azzi Fudd said. “Having someone that you went from looking up to, then meeting them, playing at UConn and knowing that you’re a part of this sisterhood. She’s a resource and she’s someone that we can reach out to and talk to and just look up to and go to for advice that we ever need.”
All the parallels are extra meaningful to the Huskies, but Auriemma said it’s even more special for Taurasi.
“To be here, I know that means a lot to her. I know it means a lot to our players,” Auriemma said. “In my mind, (she’s) the greatest basketball player to ever play college basketball, and maybe the greatest WNBA player of all time. … You don’t often get a chance to do that, you know?”
Fudd joked that she’s “not at that level yet” to receive an invitation to dinner with Auriemma and Taurasi, but she hopes Taurasi comes to watch the Huskies go for their 13th national championship.
“Obviously, it would mean a lot to have success in her city,” Fudd added. “To see her pave the way and make all this possible now for us, yeah, it would be incredible.”
Taurasi isn’t the only UConn alum that Auriemma’s dined with during the Huskies’ 25th Final Four run. He said the team shared a meal with Paige Bueckers, who led the Huskies to a national championship last season.
“We had dinner with Paige (Bueckers) last night and listened to her speak. It reminded me of how much those five years took off of my life, listening to the things that she says,” Auriemma said on Thursday, March 27 ahead of their 63-42 Sweet 16 win over No. 4 North Carolina. “The interesting thing is I lived through it with Diana (Taurasi) and they’re the only two that put me through that.”
Fudd joked that Auriemma is “definitely more mellow since Nika (Mühl) and Paige (Bueckes) left.”
“I think (they) caused him a lot of headaches, I’m sure,” Fudd joked.
As for if she gives Auriemma trouble, she said, “Never.”
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.
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