Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi had a playful and wholesome moment with UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, following the Huskies winning the NCAA championship.
In a video, Diana Taurasi was seen approaching Geno Auriemma, who was then in the middle of a press interview, as the UConn Huskies just clinched the championship title.
A familiar face interrupts Geno’s post game scrum pic.twitter.com/lGNt1GUrmv
— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) April 6, 2025
Taurasi then called Auriemma, approached him, and the two shared a hug, with the head coach even giving her cheek a slight pinch.
Diana Taurasi and Geno Auriemma’s iconic coach-player relationship, established during Taurasi’s time at UConn, is highlighted by their three consecutive NCAA championships from 2002 to 2004. Auriemma’s trust in Taurasi’s skills was evident when he famously declared UConn’s advantage in the 2004 championship game was due to Taurasi’s presence on their team.
Auriemma has often spoken about their shared backgrounds and how they helped shape their relationship. He once remarked that their bond went “way, way beyond basketball,” rooted in mutual understanding and trust.
Diana Taurasi, even after her graduation and illustrious WNBA career, has frequently attended UConn games and celebrations, remaining a steadfast presence in Auriemma’s life to support her former coach.
Diana Taurasi Admits “Reality is Coming” Post WNBA Retirement
In the NCAA finals coverage of “The Bird and Taurasi Show,” Diana Taurasi was congratulated by Caitlin Clark on her retirement, which then prompted the former Phoenix Mercury legend to open up about her insights on life after her professional basketball career.
“Congratulations on your retirement, D,” Clark said.
“Thank you,” Taurasi responded. “Unfortunately, reality is coming to me now.”
“Reality is coming,” the retired WNBA legend repeated. “You know, there [are] levels to this thing. And that’s just life, we’ve all been through it,” Taurasi said. “You see it on the NBA side, and you’re going to see it on this side. You look superhuman playing against some 18-year-olds, but you’re going to come with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.”
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“Not saying it’s not gonna translate,” she went on. “Because when you are great at what you do, it’s just gonna get better. But there is gonna be a transition period where you’re gonna need to give yourself some grace as a rookie. It might take a little bit longer for some people.”
Over her 21-year career with the Phoenix Mercury, Diana Taurasi has played 565 games, averaging 18.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Her shooting efficiency includes a 42.5% field goal percentage, 36.0% from three-point range, and 87.0% from the free-throw line2. Taurasi is the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, with over 10,646 career points, and holds records in several other categories, including made field goals and three-pointers.
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Yelle is a broadcast communications graduate from the University of Perpetual Help-Dalta and has pursued a career in television and news writing in Net 25 and Radyo Agila. Some of her works can also be seen through her previous publication in Fastbreak.com.ph.
