The UConn Huskies have been much more than just a program that produces good basketball players; UConn has become the factory for WNBA legends. They win championships and rewrite history books, and former Huskies like Sue Bird and Maya Moore have taken over the league with their unparalleled leadership.
These players made it to the professional level and revolutionized the game after their promising careers at the University of Connecticut.
Sue Bird (4 WNBA Championships)
From her incredible skills and leadership on the basketball court to her outstanding career, Bird has to be given top billing. Before being selected first overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2002 WNBA Draft, she led UConn to two national championships. She enjoyed a successful career with the Storm, winning four WNBA titles (2004, 2010, 2018, and 2020), putting her among the most successful players in the league.
Maya Moore (4 WNBA Championships)
Moore’s contribution to the WNBA truly is unbelievable. Still making an impact on the league, she has been selected as the first pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx and showed her scoring ability and defensive strength while leading the team to four championship titles (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017).
Diana Taurasi (3 WNBA Championships)
Immediately after being drafted by the Phoenix Mercury first overall in 2004, Diana Taurasi made her brand as a competitor and a scoring talent. She led the team to three WNBA championships in 2007, 2009, and 2014. Taurasi earned the nickname “White Mamba” for her relentless drive and clutch performances, a mark of one of the greatest players in WNBA history.
Swin Cash (3 WNBA Championships)
Swin Cash’s diverse skill set and leadership qualities were instrumental in her teams’ victories. After a remarkable career at UConn, she was a major factor in the Detroit Shock’s championship wins in 2003 and 2006, and she also played a significant role in the Seattle Storm’s title run in 2010.
Breanna Stewart (3 WNBA Championships)
Breanna Stewart’s transition from college basketball to the pros has been nothing short of remarkable. She was drafted first overall by the Seattle Storm in 2016 after a fantastic stint at UConn.
In 2018 and in 2020, Stewart was a key piece in the Storm winning championships and earned Finals MVP honors on both occasions. She further added to her impressive résumé in 2024, helping the New York Liberty win its first WNBA championship and ensuring she would be considered one of the top players in the sport.
Kiah Stokes (2 WNBA Championships)
Kiah Stokes has been a force to be reckoned with in the paint since she set foot at UConn. She played a significant role in the Las Vegas Aces’ back-to-back championships of 2022 and 2023 after signing with them following her stint with the Liberty. Her contributions on the offensive end, her rebounding talent, and added defensive skills have been essential to the team’s success as the club seeks to bring home a championship.
Renee Montgomery (2 WNBA Championships)
Renee Montgomery’s basketball journey is infused through her key role in the Minnesota Lynx’s championship wins. She had an impressive stint at UConn before joining the Lynx, where she displayed her elite shooting and nose for offense. Contributing to clinching WNBA championships in 2015 and 2017, her skill to energize the team on the bench was an integral part of its winning formula.
Kelly Schumacher (2 WNBA Championships)
With her work and her role on championship teams, Kelly Schumacher had a major impact on the WNBA. She had a key role in the Phoenix Mercury’s first title in 2007, chipping in with key minutes from the bench. The very next year, with the Detroit Shock, she helped clinch the championship in 2008 by proving her versatility and her commitment to the team.
Jennifer Rizzotti (2 WNBA Championships)
Jennifer Rizzotti showed strong leadership qualities at UConn that she took with her into her career as a professional. In 1999 and 2000, she won championships with the Houston Comets. In leading the Comets, she had sharp court vision and a high basketball IQ.
It looks like UConn ran into a bit of a dry spell since 2016. A lot of players like Caitlin Clark, JuJu Watkins, and 2025 top high school recruit from Texas stayed close to home and is playing for Oklahoma University!