UConn coach Geno Auriemma pushed back Thursday on any potential WNBA rule change that would allow players to enter the league before age 22, arguing it would hurt women's basketball.
UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma said Thursday the WNBA should not lower its age eligibility requirements — a change he believes would damage both the league and the college game.
The WNBA currently requires any drafted player to be at least 22 years old in the calendar year the draft takes place and to have exhausted or renounced remaining college eligibility. International players must be at least 20. The NBA sets its minimum age at 19.
Auriemma spoke on the topic ahead of the Final Four. He conceded some players could handle the pro game earlier, but said the years players spend in college do something for women's basketball that an early exit simply cannot.
"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 said. "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," he explained. "Great for her. Great opportunity for her. But a bad opportunity 'cause you're not going to replace her with somebody equal."
The veteran coach said the sport would be "diminished" if players routinely departed after a single college season. He also dismissed the notion of allowing players to turn pro directly out of high school, the way some baseball prospects do, as largely impractical for women's basketball.
Auriemma drew a sardonic comparison to football's development model, joking that you would not send a college freshman or sophomore to compete against professionals who would "break you in half."
If a rule change were coming regardless, Auriemma said the baseball framework — which allows players to enter the draft out of high school or after their junior year of college — would be his preferred model. Auriemma also noted the salary growth in the WNBA has flipped part of the equation, with some pros now considering a return to college.
"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."