UConn's Breanna Stewart, left, answers a question as head coach Geno Auriemma listens, during a news conference at the NCAA Women's Final Four college basketball tournament, Monday, April 6, 2015, in Tampa, Fla.
John Raoux/Associated PressIt's no secret that the UConn women's basketball has dealt with an onslaught of injuries this season.
Even though Geno Auriemma had eight available players against Tennessee Thursday night, he used only seven and one (Amari DeBerry) was on the floor for just one minute. Yet the Huskies defeated the rival Lady Vols 84-67.
Auriemma was talking at his postgame press conference about Tennessee's Jordan Horston when he wondered what year she was in. Then he went off track.
"But wait, don't they all get a COVID year?" Auriemma said. "It's like everybody in America gets an extra year."
The NCAA granted players impacted by the COVID-19 interruptions an extra year of eligibility. Auriemma quickly mused about a former Husky he'd like to return for one more year.
"Call Stewie. Can we get ahold of Stewie?" Auriemma asked. "See if we can get that extra COVID year."
Yes, the Huskies could use Breanna Stewart , the four-time NCAA champion who was selected by the Seattle Storm with the No. 1 pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft and is one of the best players in her sport.
A video of Auriemma's comments on Stewie was posted to Twitter overnight. Stewart, currently a WNBA free agent, jokingly responded back to Auriemma's comment by alluding to an issue on her mind -- team travel.
Stewart recently advocated for WNBA teams to fly charter by tweeting, "I would love to be part of a deal that helps subsidize charter travel for the entire WNBA. I would contribute my NIL, posts + production hrs to ensure we all travel in a way that prioritizes player health + safety, which ultimately results in a better product. Who’s with me?"
So her response to her old college coach: "Atleast I’ll fly charter!! #BleedBlue"
Yes, UConn does fly charter to road games.