The Uconn Huskies women's team have won 11 national championships. That's extremely impressive, but what's even more impressive about Uconn is they have won four straight national championships from 2013-2016. In order to have this kind of success, you not only need an amazing coach, Geno Auriemma, but the team also needs great players. Uconn has definitely had great players over the years who have gone to the WNBA and are doing terrific. Players such as Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore, and the Seattle Storm's 2016 rookie of the year forward Brianna Stewart.
All three women have had amazing careers so far, but currently, the longest career in the WNBA belongs to Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi. With the Mercury, she has won three WNBA championships and four gold medals. As of now, Taurasi has averaged about 19 points per game. She has also played in a career total of 367 games. She averages 4.3 assists per game. Her and Baylor alumna Britney Griner led the Mercury to the 2014 WNBA championship. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Taurasi and the women's US National team won the gold medal.This year has been another fantastic year for Taurasi.This year, she is averaging 17.8 points per game. In the WNBA playoffs, shes averaged about 21 points per game. She is carrying on the Uconn tradition of winning quite well.
By far, Maya Moore is my favorite WNBA player. Taken with the top overall pick in the 2011 WNBA draft, Maya Moore has quickly become one of the best players right now. In her rookie season, the Lynx won the WNBA title sweeping the Atlanta Dream 3 games to 0. Moore and the Lynx then won a 2nd WNBA title as they once again swept Atlanta 3-0. Moore led the Lynx to a hard fought 2015 championship where they were pushed to a Game 5 by the Indiana Fever but the Lynx won championship #3! Along with the 3 championships, Maya has won a 2012 Olympic Gold Medal and in 2014 she won a gold medal in the FIBA World championship in 2014. 2015 All Star Game MVP and 2014 WNBA MVP. And, oh yes, she won rookie of the year in 2011. This season Moore has averaged 19.3 points per game and in the 2016 playoffs, Moore has averaged 19.2 points per game. Over her career, Moore has averaged approximately 18.6 points per game.
The third and final Huskie is just starting her WNBA career, she's the #1 pick of the 2016 WNBA draft. From the Seattle Storm! #30 Brianna Stewart! At Uconn, she was a member of the Huskies teams that won 4 straight national championships from 2013-2016. Brianna was part of the US team that won the 2014 World Championship and 2016 Gold Medal at the Rio Games. In her rookie season with Seattle, Stewart won rookie of the year.
John Altavilla from courant.com and author of: Brianna Stewart Fourth Ex-Husky To Win WNBA Rookie Of The Year explains:"Stewart is the fourth UConn player to win the award, joining Diana Taurasi (2004), Tina Charles (2010) and Maya Moore (2011). She finished third all-time for points by a rookie and also broke Lisa Leslie's WNBA record for defensive rebounds in a season"
The success of Uconn Huskies in the WNBA doesn't stop at just Taurasi, Moore, or Stewart. There are many Uconn Huskies in the WNBA who are contributing to their respective teams. There are definitely others who are for sure making impacts on their teams, such as Moriah Jefferson, a guard for the San Antonio Stars. Taurasi, Moore, and Stewart have kept up the Uconn Husky tradition of winning. The WNBA is a great league and hopefully, it continues to have success and hopefully Uconn continues to have success.
