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

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