Latest news with #GenoAuriemma
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Geno Auriemma Named Finalist For Prestigious Award After National Championship Run
Geno Auriemma Named Finalist For Prestigious Award After National Championship Run originally appeared on Athlon Sports. At 71 years old, there aren't many awards Geno Auriemma hasn't won in his legendary career. But after capturing his 12th NCAA Tournament title this spring, the longtime UConn head coach is up for another prestigious honor, one he's never claimed before. Advertisement Auriemma, who has led the Huskies since 1985 and recorded 1,250 wins, is a finalist for the Best Record-Breaking Performance at the 2025 ESPYs. He's also an eight-time Naismith Coach of the Year, but this nomination marks a new recognition for his legacy. And he's not the only one from the UConn program to receive a nod. The UConn Women's Basketball account on X proudly shared the news on social media: 'We have some Huskies nominated for @ESPYS! Best Team: UConn Women's Basketball Best Record-Breaking Performance: Geno Auriemma Best WNBA Player: Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart' Last year's Best Record-Breaking Performance award went to Caitlin Clark, who broke Pete Maravich's all-time NCAA scoring record with 3,951 career points. Clark, now in her second WNBA season, is nominated again after becoming the league's single-game and single-season assist leader. Advertisement Other notable nominees for record-breaking feats include Kevin Durant, who became the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team, and Alexander Ovechkin, who passed Wayne Gretzky for first place on the NHL's all-time goals list. Connecticut Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma hugs guard Paige Bueckers (5).Kirby Lee-Imagn Images In 2023, LeBron James took home the honor after surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's all-time leading scorer. The Huskies are also finalists for Best Team, joining a stacked list of champions that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Liberty, Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Panthers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Two former UConn stars, Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and Stewart of the Liberty, are up for Best WNBA Player. Both helped lead their teams to the WNBA Finals last season and are joined by fellow finalists A'ja Wilson and Clark. Advertisement The 2025 ESPY Awards will air on July 16 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. The annual event, hosted by ESPN, honors the most outstanding achievements and performances across the sports world. Related: Stephanie White Sounds Alarm for Indiana Fever Ahead of Key Player's Absence Related: Ranking the 25 Best WNBA Players of All Time This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Major Caitlin Clark News Emerges After Upsetting Injury Update
Major Caitlin Clark News Emerges After Upsetting Injury Update originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It's been a frantic start to the 2025 WNBA season for Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. With the spotlight on her every night, Clark has experienced her share of highs and lows. Advertisement So has Indiana. The Fever sit at 7-7, navigating through injuries, roster changes, big wins and frustrating losses. Despite it all, Clark and the Fever continue to push forward. The former Iowa Hawkeyes standout was ruled out for Thursday's home game against the Los Angeles Sparks due to injury concerns, but then came some major news: "Caitlin is nominated for 2 ESPY Awards: Best Record-Breaking Performance and Best WNBA Player." For Best Record-Breaking Performance, Clark is competing against Alexander Ovechkin, Kevin Durant and Geno Auriemma. Her standout achievements include a 19-assist performance on July 17, against Dallas, followed by breaking the WNBA single-season assist record for rookies in August against the Seattle Storm. She later shattered the all-time single-season assist record in September against the Las Vegas Aces. Advertisement Her second nomination, for Best WNBA Player, puts her in elite company in women's basketball. Clark will go up against A'ja Wilson, the reigning MVP and last year's ESPY winner. Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier are also nominated; both led their teams to the WNBA Finals, with Stewart and the New York Liberty claiming the title over Collier and the Minnesota Lynx. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22).Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images So far in her second season, Clark has played nine games and is averaging 18.2 points per game. The Fever have five players averaging double figures, including Kelsey Mitchell (17.9 points per game) and Aliyah Boston (15.9). Aari McDonald, back in the lineup, is contributing 11 points per game while Natasha Howard is at 10.8. Clark's injury status will continue to be monitored, but her impact on the league is undeniable. The ESPY nominations are just the latest recognition of her rapid rise and continued dominance in the WNBA. Advertisement The 2025 ESPYs will air at 8 p.m. July 16 on ABC. Related: Ranking the 25 Best WNBA Players of All Time Related: Aliyah Boston Sends Clear Dawn Staley Message Amid WNBA Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Big UConn News Turns Heads on Wednesday
Big UConn News Turns Heads on Wednesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The UConn Huskies have widely been regarded as one of the best women's basketball programs in the country and they proved that case last season. Advertisement UConn, led by head coach Geno Auriemma, won the national championship last season, defeating none other than the South Carolina Gamecocks and Dawn Staley in the national title game. The Huskies were led by current Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers as well as Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, both of whom will return to UConn next season. As the Huskies continue to gain hype, especially coming off a national title season, they announced a recent deal with Apple TV+. UConn will be the focus of a three-part series from Apple TV+, documenting the women's basketball program. "Geno Auriemma and the UConn women's basketball program will be the focus of a three-part series from Apple TV+!" posted the official social media account of the UConn Huskies. Upon the release of the announcement, some fans took to social media, sharing their thoughts on the decision from the UConn Huskies. Advertisement "Someone will give me their Apple TV log in or there will be consequences for the whole class," said one fan. "OHHHHH YESSSS," said another fan. "Oh you are making me get my subscription back," mentioned one fan. "Oh we won," commented one fan. "SEATED," said one fan. "This is awesome," said another fan. UConn Huskies head coach Geno Lee-Imagn Images The initial press release, posted by the UConn Huskies, revealed the details behind the series, which documents Geno Auriemma and his program. "This documentary reveals the epic narrative of UConn's roller coaster path to becoming the greatest dynasty in women's sports history, with each episode featuring a blend of unique archival footage, incisive interviews and exclusive access with UConn's 2024-25 championship squad," per release. Advertisement Related: UConn's Azzi Fudd Makes Major Personal Announcement on Friday Related: Big UConn Announcement Turns Heads on Monday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
South China Morning Post
25-06-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Meet Kaitlyn Chen, who just got a standing ovation for her debut in the WNBA: the Princeton alum is the first Taiwanese-American drafted by the league, and collaborates with Stanley and Skinletics
Kaitlyn Chen made history this week as she debuted for the Golden State Valkyries in their inaugural pre-season game in San Francisco, as the first Taiwanese-American basketball player to be drafted by the WNBA. Fans cheered on her performance and many gave her a standing ovation, as she scored two points on 1-for-3 shooting and grabbed three rebounds in eight minutes. The Golden State Valkyries' Kaitlyn Chen celebrates with Monique Billings after their team's win over the Connecticut Sun in a WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco. Photo: San Francisco Chronicle via AP Chen was waived by the Valkyries before the start of the season, but later re-signed to bolster the team as several players left to participate in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 tournament. Advertisement The Taiwanese-American, 23, was once Paige Bueckers ' teammate in the UConn Huskies women's team. Her former UConn coach Geno Auriemma lauded her for her competitiveness as well as her shooting abilities. 'Kaitlyn Chen is the kind of player that every really, really good team has,' he said, per The UConn Daily YouTube account. 'She's going to make it in that league.' Kaitlyn Chen defends against Aneesah Morrow of the Connecticut Sun in a WNBA game in San Francisco on June 22. Photo: San Francisco Chronicle via AP She could be the next Angel Reese or Caitlin Clark – some netizens have also taken to calling her the female Jeremy Lin. Here's everything to know about Kaitlyn Chen. She's the first Taiwanese-American to win a women's college basketball title Kaitlyn Chen in action during a NCAA game. Photo: @ In April, Chen and then-teammate Bueckers helped the Huskies end a nine-year championship drought, winning the 12th NCAA women's basketball championship. Chen contributed two points, one rebound and four assists – the second highest on the team. Chen was born in San Marino, California, to Taiwanese immigrants. She has credited her parents with playing a crucial role in her basketball career, per The Sporting News. They regularly globe-trot to attend her games and support her wherever she travels. Kaitlyn Chen, flanked by her parents, holds up her UConn Huskies jersey during Senior Day celebrations after a NCAA women's game. Photo: @ 'I love when I get to look up in the stands and see them there,' she said, according to CT Insider. 'I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them and their support. So, I'm just very grateful for that.' Her career began at Princeton University
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Azzi Fudd Addresses New UConn Role After Paige Bueckers Exit
Azzi Fudd Addresses New UConn Role After Paige Bueckers Exit originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The UConn Huskies are looking for a new player to step up and lead their roster. Paige Bueckers moved over to the WNBA in April, and her close friend and fellow guard Azzi Fudd is up for the challenge. Advertisement Fudd, 22, was regarded by some as the Huskies second or third option last season as Bueckers led them on both ends of the court under longtime head coach Geno Auriemma. However, during a recent interview, Fudd seemed eager to make necessary adjustments to her play style as the team's presumed focal point. 'I think taking it progressively and one step at a time and saying the things I see, whether it's starting with my stuff on defense or offense when I see a screen,' Fudd told reporters. 'And taking it progressively to act when I see to tell them to do this or you should do that when we call huddles.' The Huskies are preparing for this upcoming season by consistently training together throughout the summer to learn each other's skill sets. 'We've been playing a lot more pickup, and I think that's been really helpful for me at least to have my team, and then we have our teammates before and after during the game, and let's do this and cut here,' Fudd added. Advertisement As training continues and the start of the season approaches in the fall, Fudd is expected to play a more significant role as one of UConn's more experienced guards. But it could take her a little while to adjust, especially without Bueckers, who now plays in the WNBA for the Dallas Wings. 'It's a learning process,' Fudd concluded. 'I'm going to get better.' Related: Azzi Fudd's Gesture During Paige Bueckers Game Is Catching Attention This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
