PHOENIX – UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma would not be a fan of any potential WNBA rule change that would allow players to join the league sooner.
NBA players must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft. However, the WNBA requires any player drafted to be at least 22 years old in the year the WNBA draft takes place. The player must also have no remaining college eligibility or renounce any remaining eligibility. International players must be at least 20 years old on the year the draft takes place. Auriemma says changing the WNBA’s rule would not be good for the league or college basketball.
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“I think it would be a really bad rule. I’m not saying they need to stay four years. I’ve coached players, (who) after their freshman year, they would be able to handle it,” Auriemma told the media Thursday ahead of the Final Four.
More: Geno Auriemma blasts NCAA over ‘frustrating’ Sweet 16, Elite Eight setup
“I do think women’s basketball would suffer in that you wouldn’t get the recognition around the country that Azzi Fudd has if you’re in college one year, okay? If Sarah (Strong) would have left after last year, you wouldn’t have that continued (chance to watch) her grow, and she would go to the WNBA. Great for her. Great opportunity for her. But a bad opportunity ’cause you’re not going to replace her with somebody equal.”
Auriemma says women’s basketball would be “diminished” if players only completed one year of college play before moving on to the pro level. He also said very few players would be able to do as some baseball players do and be a pro right out of high school.
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Auriemma even joked he likes the way football requires players to wait, saying you wouldn’t send a college freshman or sophomore to play against “grown men” who would “break you in half.” The UConn coach eventually said if a change was going to be made, the “baseball model” would be his preference.
“I do think there’s benefits for them to grow,” Auriemma said. “Now with the money they’re making, you got pros wanting to come back to college.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UConn coach Geno Auriemma against potential WNBA draft age rule change
