A potential one-and-done rule in women’s college basketball could “ruin the game,” according to UConn coach Geno Auriemma.
“It depends whether you want the game to grow or you want to kill it,” Auriemma said Thursday during an interview on ESPN Radio’s “UnSportsmanLike.”
“If you want to kill it, then let the kids leave after freshman year,” Auriemma said. “On the men’s side, it’s become transactional. Everybody’s a free agent. Everybody’s a mercenary. It’s not the kids’ fault. …
To me, what helped the women’s game grow is the people in Iowa got to grow up with Caitlin Clark. The people of Connecticut got to grow up with all of my great players. There’s something to be said for that.”
Current WNBA rules stipulate that players are eligible to be selected in the WNBA draft upon graduating from college — or being within three months of doing so — or in the calendar year that they turn 22.
After being sidelined all of 2022-23 with an ACL tear, Bueckers returned to Storrs this past season in All-America form, and she is coming back next season for her fourth year of college basketball (fifth year of school).
Most players end up staying four years in college, although there are some notable exceptions, including 2015 No. 1 pick Jewell Loyd from Notre Dame, 2019 No. 1 pick Jackie Young from Notre Dame and 2020 No. 2 pick Satou Sabally from Oregon.
Most recently, Megan Walker suited up for the Huskies for just three years, taking advantage of being age-eligible for the WNBA by opting to go pro after the 2019-20 season.
Azura Stevens (a transfer from Duke) and Morgan Tuck (who redshirted her sophomore year due to injury) also left UConn despite having remaining college eligibility, but each had been in college four years.
Conversations about when college players should be allowed to go pro surface every so often in the women’s game, including Bueckers’ and Clark’s freshman years and this season with USC’s JuJu Watkins, the country’s second-leading scorer, having such a spectacular freshman campaign.
Since taking the game by storm in the 2020-21 season, Bueckers and Clark have further solidified themselves as household names in the sport, helping catalyze the college game’s surge in popularity.
With the NCAA now allowing players to profit off their name, image and likeness — of which Clark, Bueckers and Watkins have all been huge beneficiaries — college athletes no longer need to go pro to make money.
Eligibility rules are determined by the WNBA and WNBPA’s collective bargaining agreement; the current CBA was signed in 2020 and runs through 2027, although there is a mutual opt-out clause that can be exercised by Nov. 1, 2024, that would terminate the agreement after the 2025 season.
“I don’t know that our game can continue to move forward if all of a sudden our guys are gone,” Auriemma said. “So I like the rule, and the players decided the rule.
So if they change the rule, God bless ’em, but I think it’ll ruin the game.”
News
WNBA star Chennedy Carter, who shoved Caitlin Clark, SLAMS NBA 2K25 over her video game appearance: ‘They wrong for this’
WNBA star Chennedy Carter, who shoved Caitlin Clark, SLAMS NBA 2K25 over her video game appearance: ‘They wrong for this’ The impending release of NBA 2K25 is set to drop for video gamers around the world in over a week’s time, but…
Angel Reese Made a Post After Losing to Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Angel Reese Made a Post After Losing to Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever. On Friday night, Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky were defeated on their home court by Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, 100-81. The Sky have now lost five straight games but still hold the…
Cameras Catch Angel Reese’s Blunt Caitlin Clark Accusation During Fever-Sky
Cameras Catch Angel Reese’s Blunt Caitlin Clark Accusation During Fever-Sky. As expected, there was no shortage of action during Friday’s highly-anticipated showdown between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky. Ultimately, it was Caitlin Clark and Co. who secured a big win after blowing out the Sky…
Chicago Sky’s Diamond DeShields Facing SUSPENSION For Flagrant Foul on Caitlin Clark
“Absolutely filthy”- Fans lambast Diamond DeShields for flagrant foul on Caitlin Clark. Diamond DeShields starred in a controversial moment with Caitlin Clark during Friday night’s Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever game. With 3:52 seconds left on the clock in the fourth…
Postgame Interview: Caitlin Clark EXPLODES 31pt/12ast! Caitlin Clark discusses Indiana Fever’s surging confidence as playoffs loom
Postgame Interview: Caitlin Clark EXPLODES 31pt/12ast post game interview. “Coming in hot”: Caitlin Clark discusses Indiana Fever’s surging confidence as playoffs loom The Indiana Fever secured a morale-boosting 100-81 road victory over their Eastern Conference rivals Chicago Sky on Friday….
Angel Reese rocking her new exclusive kicks for her game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever
Angel Reese rocking her new exclusive kicks for her game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. The shoes are simply incredible. Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese warms up before a WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Friday, Aug. 30,…
End of content
No more pages to load