Diana Taurasi Reveals Her All-Time UConn Starting Five

The basketball legend's surprising lineup choice sparks debate about the program's rich history and talent depth.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:05am

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A fractured, geometric painting in bold colors depicting a UConn women's basketball game, with overlapping planes and shapes representing the program's enduring legacy of excellence.A cubist interpretation of the rich history and talent depth of the UConn women's basketball program.Storrs Today

Basketball legend Diana Taurasi recently shared her picks for an all-time UConn women's basketball starting five, which included Sue Bird, Nykesha Sales, Maya Moore, Tina Charles, and Breanna Stewart. Her surprising exclusion of rising star Paige Bueckers has sparked discussions about the program's sustained excellence and the challenge of evaluating talent across different eras.

Why it matters

Taurasi's lineup selection highlights the depth of talent that has come through the UConn women's basketball program, honoring both pioneers and modern-day icons. The debate over the starting five also sheds light on the program's culture, coaching, and ability to attract and nurture exceptional talent, which has led to its sustained dominance in the sport.

The details

Taurasi's all-time UConn starting five includes point guard Sue Bird, scorer Nykesha Sales, two-time undefeated national champion Maya Moore, dominant center Tina Charles, and modern-day superstar Breanna Stewart. The exclusion of rising star Paige Bueckers, who led UConn to a national title and earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors, has sparked discussions about the balance between individual brilliance and team success. Taurasi also praised the shooting prowess of Azzi Fudd, comparing her to the best pure shooters she's seen, which invites comparisons to Bueckers' all-around game.

  • Taurasi recently shared her all-time UConn starting five.

The players

Diana Taurasi

A basketball legend and former UConn star who recently shared her picks for an all-time UConn women's basketball starting five.

Sue Bird

A former UConn point guard and one of the players Taurasi selected for her all-time starting five, known for her leadership and playmaking abilities.

Nykesha Sales

A former UConn scorer who Taurasi included in her all-time starting five, known for her scoring prowess.

Maya Moore

A former UConn star who led the team to two undefeated national championship seasons, and was selected by Taurasi for her all-time starting five.

Tina Charles

A dominant UConn center who Taurasi chose for her all-time starting five, known for her dominant play in the paint.

Breanna Stewart

A modern-day UConn superstar who Taurasi included in her all-time starting five, known for her all-around game and success at the professional level.

Paige Bueckers

A rising UConn star who was surprisingly excluded from Taurasi's all-time starting five, despite leading the team to a national title and earning WNBA Rookie of the Year honors.

Azzi Fudd

A UConn player who Taurasi praised for her shooting prowess, comparing her to the best pure shooters she's seen.

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What they’re saying

“Taurasi's selection of Sue Bird, Nykesha Sales, Maya Moore, Tina Charles, and Breanna Stewart is a testament to the program's depth. Each player has left an indelible mark, whether it's Bird's leadership, Sales' scoring prowess, or Moore's back-to-back undefeated seasons.”

— Author

“Taurasi's comments about Azzi Fudd's shooting prowess are noteworthy. She believes Fudd to be the best pure shooter she's seen, which is high praise considering the caliber of players UConn has produced.”

— Author

The takeaway

This exercise goes beyond mere player comparisons. It's a celebration of UConn's sustained excellence and the impact these players have had on the game. It also highlights the challenge of evaluating talent across different eras, where the context of team success and individual achievements intertwine.