The Best UConn Women’s Basketball Players of the 2000s

Queens of the Court

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Quarter Zip Sports
September 15, 2025

If the 1990s were about building the brand, the 2000s were the decade that turned the University of Connecticut women’s basketball program into an unstoppable dynasty. By the time the calendar flipped into the new millennium, Geno Auriemma’s Huskies weren’t just winning—they were redefining what excellence looked like in college basketball. National championships, undefeated seasons, and a conveyor belt of All-Americans made Storrs the epicenter of women’s hoops.

Looking back now, it’s impossible to tell that story without spotlighting the players who carried the torch. The 2000s gave us transcendent stars, gritty role players who became legends, and once-in-a-generation talents who not only dominated in college but also left their mark on the professional game. Let’s revisit the icons who turned the Huskies into queens of the court during that golden era.

Shea Ralph: The What-If Superstar

Sometimes greatness is measured not just in championships but in resilience. Shea Ralph’s career was defined by overcoming injuries—five ACL tears in all—and still managing to etch her name into UConn history.

At her peak, Ralph was unstoppable. She played a pivotal role in the 2000 championship run, providing scoring punch and on-ball defense that gave UConn an edge in every matchup. Injuries may have robbed her of even bigger numbers, but they never robbed her of her impact.

Today, Ralph is known as a rising star in coaching, but her story as a player remains one of inspiration: a reminder that toughness isn’t just about physical play, but also about refusing to let setbacks define you.

Sue Bird: The Gold Standard of Point Guards

When you talk about leaders who set the tone, Sue Bird sits at the top of the conversation. Arriving in Storrs in the late ’90s and flourishing in the early 2000s, Bird orchestrated the game like a maestro with a baton. Her poise under pressure and her ability to control the tempo made her indispensable.

She helped guide UConn to national championships in 2000 and 2002, both of which solidified the Huskies’ reputation as perennial favorites. Beyond the hardware, Bird brought an air of inevitability: if she had the ball in her hands, UConn had the edge.

Fast-forward to her WNBA and Olympic career, and Bird didn’t just maintain that standard—she became the gold standard. But the roots of her legacy were planted at Gampel Pavilion, where she set the blueprint for what a UConn point guard should be: smart, clutch, and fiercely competitive.

Diana Taurasi: “We’ll See You at the Finish Line”

If Bird was the steady hand, Diana Taurasi was the storm. Nicknamed “White Mamba” by Kobe Bryant, Taurasi came to UConn in 2000 and immediately changed the program’s DNA. She wasn’t just a scorer—though her three-point shooting and fearless drives made her unstoppable. She was an attitude, a swagger, the kind of player who could look across the court and convince teammates, coaches, and fans that everything was under control.

Taurasi’s back-to-back-to-back national championships (2002–2004) are part of UConn lore, and her iconic quote before the 2004 title game—“We’ll see you at the finish line”—still resonates. She backed it up, too, dropping 17 points and sealing her third straight crown.

In many ways, Taurasi became the face of UConn’s national dominance in the 2000s. Every dynasty needs its alpha, and Taurasi wasn’t just the alpha—she was the whole pack.

Swin Cash: Versatility and Heart

Not every player is defined by gaudy stats. Swin Cash’s value came from her versatility, toughness, and ability to shine in big moments. As a key member of the 2000 and 2002 national championship teams, Cash played with a relentless motor.

Her breakout came during the 2002 title run, when she led a Huskies team that finished the season undefeated at 39–0. Cash’s ability to rebound, defend, and score when needed made her one of the most well-rounded forwards of her era.

She would later enjoy a stellar WNBA career and multiple Olympic gold medals, but her UConn legacy is anchored in how she set the tone for an undefeated juggernaut. Cash wasn’t flashy—she was fundamental. And in Storrs, that was exactly what Geno demanded.

Asjha Jones: The Unsung Hero

For every Taurasi, there needs to be an Asjha Jones. The 6’2” forward was a steady force who often did the dirty work while still posting big numbers. She’s one of the few Huskies to score over 2,000 career points and pull down more than 1,000 rebounds, a testament to her consistency and durability.

Jones was a two-time national champion (2000, 2002) and an All-American, yet she often flew under the radar compared to flashier teammates. But ask anyone in the program, and they’ll tell you Jones was the glue—an interior presence who gave UConn balance on both ends of the floor.

Her professional career added to her legacy, but in the context of the 2000s Huskies, Jones was the kind of player who made dominance look routine.

The 2002 Undefeated Team: A Collection of Legends

It’s hard to single out individuals without mentioning the 2002 team as a whole. That group—Bird, Taurasi, Cash, Jones, and role players like Tamika Williams and Jessica Moore—didn’t just win, they steamrolled everyone in their path. Going 39–0, they posted double-digit wins in nearly every game and capped it off with a national championship that felt preordained.

In hindsight, that squad wasn’t just the best of the 2000s. They might have been the best team in the history of women’s college basketball. And they proved that UConn wasn’t a one-hit wonder; it was a dynasty in full bloom.

The Geno Factor

Of course, no article about the 2000s would be complete without acknowledging Geno Auriemma. His ability to recruit, motivate, and manage egos was just as critical as the players themselves. What stands out about the 2000s is how many stars came through the program and still managed to sacrifice for the team. That doesn’t happen without Geno’s fingerprints on everything.

The 2000s cemented him not just as a great coach but as the architect of women’s basketball’s most enduring empire.

Legacy of the 2000s

Looking back from September 2025, the 2000s feel like the moment UConn shifted from “great program” to “immortal brand.” The players of that decade didn’t just win games—they created a culture of winning that future generations, from Maya Moore to Breanna Stewart to Paige Bueckers, inherited.

Bird’s leadership, Taurasi’s fire, Cash’s versatility, Jones’s steadiness, and Ralph’s resilience all combined to make UConn more than a team. They became the standard by which all others are measured.

The 2000s Huskies were more than just dominant; they were transformational. They proved that women’s basketball could command national attention, draw sellout crowds, and create household names. They didn’t just win—they inspired.

When you watch UConn now, whether it’s Paige Bueckers dazzling fans or Geno still prowling the sideline, you’re seeing echoes of that 2000s foundation. Those players didn’t just play the game. They changed it.

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