Biggest winner (player) in uconn basketball history? (Men or women)

[Jaydumo20]

Once again the hoops Cap is a valid moniker. So this is timely once again.

Who is the biggest winner in men's OR women's bball history? Let's focus on players over coaches.

The metrics are up to you

Is it most wins as a member of team?
Does it carry into the pros?
Is it individual accolades or attitude?

expound.

[If you dont want to talk about the women then ignore thread. thx @temery. for bringing that back)

 

[Marat]

Hands down is has to be Geno Auriemma. No debate from me.

Side note - Geno spoke at my high school graduation in '91. People didn't know he would become an all time winner as that was before he won anything. That was a long time ago !

 

[uh-no]

At 7'2, Kling Kong was pretty big. he was also a winner.

 

[BFieldHusky]

I would go with Shabazz for the men's side (player). My criteria is he won 2 titles, with 2 different coaches and essentially two different rosters. That team in 2011 doesn't win without his contributions off the bench. And 2014, he willed that team to a unlikely championship.

Overall on the mens side, it's Calhoun without a doubt. Hurley is making a run.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Hands down is has to be Geno Auriemma. No debate from me.

Side note - Geno spoke at my high school graduation in '91. People didn't know he would become an all time winner as that was before he won anything. That was a long time ago !

Good call. I wasnt thinking about coaches, so I had to amend it. Your post serves as a reminder (its hard to beat Geno)

 

[temery]

Geno is the only real answer, then Calhoun.

 

[JeannoCT]

Breanna Stewart

 

[Jaydumo20]

Geno is the only real answer, then Calhoun.

Yes. I had to change the metric

 

[boog204]

Has to be Breanna Stewart, right? I don't follow women's bball, but didn't she win 4 titles and like finals MVP each time? That's kinda unprecedented domination.

On the men's player side, it's either Bazz or Karaban. Both were major players on two nattys. Don't think we have anyone else who can say that.

 

[Huskybass]

On the Women’s side its Breanna Stewart. On the Men's side, here's to hoping Karaban gets NC #3 and settles that debate.

 

[Jaydumo20]

If you dont focus on longevity, this is tough to beat. Add ncaa ring

But it has to be Stewie

 

[boog204]

On the Women’s side its Breanna Stewart. On the Men's side, here's to hoping Karaban gets NC #3 and settles that debate. View attachment 114421

Has there been any other players to win 4 championships and 4 finals mops? One of the Tennessee women, maybe?

 

[thekollieman]

Has there been any other players to win 4 championships and 4 finals mops? One of the Tennessee women, maybe?

Nope, just Stewie (and her classmates were 4x champs, not MOPs). Even the UCLA guys from back in the day were only ever on 3 NCAA championship rosters because freshman weren’t eligible for “varsity” back then (as far as I understand).

 

[SoFla Steve]

Has there been any other players to win 4 championships and 4 finals mops? One of the Tennessee women, maybe?

No, only UConn has won four straight championships. Tennessee won three in a row.

 

[Lafayette]

Nope, just Stewie (and her classmates were 4x champs, not MOPs). Even the UCLA guys from back in the day were only ever on 3 NCAA championship rosters because freshman weren’t eligible for “varsity” back then (as far as I understand).

Some of those UCLA nattys were 8 teams in the tourney as well

 

[HuskyHawk]

Has to be Breanna Stewart, right? I don't follow women's bball, but didn't she win 4 titles and like finals MVP each time? That's kinda unprecedented domination.

On the men's player side, it's either Bazz or Karaban. Both were major players on two nattys. Don't think we have anyone else who can say that.

If you count Pros and Olympics it may be Sue Bird.

 

[TheChamps990411]

On the Women’s side its Breanna Stewart. On the Men's side, here's to hoping Karaban gets NC #3 and settles that debate. View attachment 114421

That is utterly ridiculous.

 

[OceanDoggie]

On the Women’s side its Breanna Stewart. On the Men's side, here's to hoping Karaban gets NC #3 and settles that debate. View attachment 114421

When you look at Her entire Basketball career you get dizzy...

3× WNBA champion (2018, 2020, 2024) 2× WNBA Finals MVP (2018, 2020) 2× WNBA MVP (2018, 2023) 7× WNBA All-Star (2017, 2018, 2021–2025) 6× All-WNBA First Team (2018, 2020–2024) All-WNBA Second Team (2016) 3× WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2022–2024) 4× WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2016, 2020–2021, 2025) WNBA Rookie of the Year (2016) WNBA All-Rookie Team (2016) 2× WNBA Commissioner's Cup champion (2021, 2023) WNBA Commissioner's Cup MVP (2021) WNBA scoring leader (2022) WNBA 25th Anniversary Team (2021) FIBA Women's World Cup MVP (2018) Olympics MVP (2021)[1] 2× EuroLeague champion (2021, 2023) EuroLeague Regular Season MVP (2019) 2× EuroLeague Final Four MVP (2021, 2023) All-EuroLeague First Team (2023) Turkish Super League champion (2023) Russian Premier League champion (2021) Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2020) 4× NCAA champion (2013–2016) 4× NCAA Tournament MOP (2013–2016) Senior CLASS Award (2016) 3× Naismith College Player of the Year (2014–2016) 3× Honda Sports Award (2014–2016) Honda-Broderick Cup (2016) 3× USBWA National Player of the Year (2014–2016) 3× AP Player of the Year (2014–2016) 2× John R. Wooden Award (2015, 2016) 2× Wade Trophy (2015, 2016) James E. Sullivan Award (2015) 3× WBCA Coaches' All-American (2014–2016) 3× First-team All-American – AP (2014–2016) 3× All-American – USBWA (2014–2016) 3× AAC Player of the Year (2014–2016) 2× AAC Tournament MVP (2014, 2016) 3× First-team All-AAC (2014–2016) Big East All-Freshman Team (2013) FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP (2013) Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year (2012) Gatorade National Player of the Year (2012) Naismith Prep Player of the Year (2012) USA Basketball Athlete of the Year (2011, 2013, 2018) Morgan Wootten Player of the Year (2012) McDonald's All-American (2012) MaxPreps National Player of the Year (2012)

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Career highlights​

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[NJHusky]

Breanna Stewart

This is the correct answer and it’s not close

Coaches not eligible based on the initial post

 

[Waquoit]

This is the correct answer and it’s not close

Coaches not eligible based on the initial post

Taurasi, she was the better pro.

 

[OceanDoggie]

Taurasi, she was the better pro.

History will most likely tell a different story:

https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/qZWca

Stewart is still in the midst of an active career, playing at a top 10 mvp level.

 

[HuskyNan]

History will most likely tell a different story:

https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/qZWca

Stewart is still in the midst of an active career, playing at a top 10 mvp level.

Love Stewie but I’m with @Waquoit . She and Diana were different generations, with different teams, and responsibilities. Dee has 3 NCAA championships and would have 4 but in her freshman year the team lost Svet Abrosimova mid-year to injury then Shea Ralph in the Elite 8. In her last 2 seasons she carried the team while Stewie played with a bunch of future WNBA stars. Stewie didn’t have to go through any Pat Summitt teams, either. To me, Dee is the best UConn player.

For the men, gotta go with Ray Allen

 

[BGesus4]

Taurasi’s number might not support her being the best winner but she’s the closest thing I’ve seen to Jordan/Kobe in terms of mentality and will to win.

And I’m generally not a women’s basketball fan

 

[OceanDoggie]

Love Stewie but I’m with @Waquoit . She and Diana were different generations, with different teams, and responsibilities. Dee has 3 NCAA championships and would have 4 but in her freshman year the team lost Svet Abrosimova mid-year to injury then Shea Ralph in the Elite 8. In her last 2 seasons she carried the team while Stewie played with a bunch of future WNBA stars. Stewie didn’t have to go through any Pat Summitt teams, either. To me, Dee is the best UConn player.

For the men, gotta go with Ray Allen

View attachment 114449

Waquoit said Professional and nothing about College, which should tell you something.

OK, stories and nuances are cool, but never truly hold up to statistics and facts in the long run, at least not in the world of sports. The reality is, as you stated, different generations and Stewie played her prime years in a more competitive college and professional landscape than did Taurasi. 1A & 1B in my opinion.

 

[Tyler2Rings]

Breanna Stewart

/thread