Geno Auriemma, a Hall of Fame coach at UConn, shared his philosophy on what makes a great player. In a recent clip, he described the qualities he looks for in his team:

Talented – Auriemma’s program consistently attracts top players. People expect UConn to recruit All-Americans, and they do. But talent alone isn’t enough.

Unselfish – While he knows his players are talented, he looks for those who subordinate individual talent for the sake of others. Selflessness is a core trait in Auriemma’s players.

Great Teammate – A great teammate shows encouragement, support, and grace, even when facing challenges. Teams beat talent alone, but talented teams win championships.

Finally, “They have to be able to pass.” With a team full of All-Americans, someone will always be open. If a player can’t or won’t get the ball to the open teammate, it’s a problem.

Talent. Selflessness. Team spirit. Knowing every situation requires the “best” person for the job makes Auriemma’s UConn program stand out.

-Howe Q. Wallace Jr