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          UConn players in the WNBA: Taurasi, Stewart, Bird, more

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          UConn players in the WNBA: A lineage of greatness (1:58)

          Check out some of the notable achievements by UConn players who have left their mark on the WNBA. (1:58)

          • Keith Jenkins
          Feb 25, 2025, 10:50 PM

          Diana Taurasi announced her WNBA retirement in February 2025. A five-time WNBA scoring champion and 14-time All-WNBA selection, Taurasi was league MVP in 2009 and Finals MVP in 2009 and 2014. Prior to her 20-season run with the Phoenix Mercury, Taurasi started her legendary basketball career at UConn.

          Here's a look at the most notable players who shined at UConn and in the WNBA:

          Sue Bird

          • Two-time national champion

          • 2002 women's college basketball player of the year

          • No. 1 pick in the 2002 WNBA draft (Seattle Storm)

          • 13-time WNBA All-Star (record)

          • Four-time WNBA champion

          • All-time assists leader in WNBA history

          Swin Cash

          • Two-time national champion

          • 2002 NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player

          • No. 32 retired at Connecticut

          • No. 2 pick in the 2002 WNBA draft (Detroit Shock)

          • Four-time WNBA All-Star

          • Three-time WNBA champion

          Tina Charles

          • Two-time national champion

          • 2010 women's college basketball player of the year

          • No. 1 pick in the 2010 WNBA draft (Connecticut Sun)

          • 2010 WNBA Rookie of the Year

          • 2012 WNBA MVP

          • All-time leading rebounder in WNBA history

          Napheesa Collier

          • 2016 national champion

          • Two-time first-team All-American

          • No. 6 pick in the 2019 WNBA draft (Minnesota Lynx)

          • 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year

          • 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year

          • Four-time WNBA All-Star

          Rebecca Lobo

          • 1995 national champion

          • 1995 first-team All-American

          • 1995 women's college basketball player of the year

          • No. 50 retired at Connecticut

          • 1997 second-team All-WNBA

          • 1999 WNBA All-Star

          Maya Moore

          • Two-time national champion

          • Two-time women's college basketball player of the year

          • No. 1 pick in the 2011 WNBA draft (Minnesota Lynx)

          • 2014 WNBA MVP

          • Four-time WNBA champion

          • No. 23 retired by Minnesota Lynx

          Breanna Stewart

          • Four-time national champion

          • Four-time NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player

          • No. 1 pick in the 2016 WNBA draft (Seattle Storm)

          • Two-time WNBA MVP

          • Three-time WNBA champion

          • Two-time WNBA Finals MVP

          Diana Taurasi

          • Three-time national champion

          • Two-time NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player

          • No. 1 pick in the 2004 WNBA draft (Phoenix Mercury)

          • 2009 WNBA MVP

          • Three-time WNBA champion

          • All-time leading scorer in WNBA history

          Check out the ESPN women's college basketball hub page and the ESPN WNBA hub page for more women's basketball coverage.