Candace Parker told Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks about her bad blood with UConn's Geno Auriemma.- Though the conflict came via USA Basketball, she trolled him for his record against her in college.
Candace Parker spoke at length about her relationship with USA Basketball and former national team head coach
And while lambasting Auriemma for his role in her 2016 Olympics snub, she couldn't resist the urge to mention her college record against his
"They ain't ever beat us," Parker told Rooks. "But I don't know. That may be a soft spot! I don't know."
Parker played for late
Their first meeting, in January 2006, took place on Parker's home court in Knoxville. The Volunteers won 89-80, with the soon-to-be No. 1 WNBA Draft pick contributing 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the floor.
When they tipped off exactly a year later, an entirely different Parker came to play. The 6-foot-4 sophomore took over the Hartford Civic Center, dropping 30 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to beat the Huskies by six and ruin their hopes at an undefeated season.
What's more, Parker did what few others ever have; she dunked on UConn.
"I wanted to have a chance to dunk on Connecticut's court," Parker had said after her second game in the historic rivalry. "And I did."
Still, in her conversation with Rooks, Parker took a moment to acknowledge the Huskies' prolonged greatness under Auriemma. She noted that the program consistently attracts top high school talent and turns those players into dominant collegiate and, later, WNBA stars.
But she still fit in one more jab after that concession.
"Listen, respect to Connecticut," Parker said. "Connecticut continues to crank out player of the year after player of the year. At the same time, though, when I was there — my four years at Tennessee — they didn't win no national championships."
Parker won a pair in back-to-back seasons. Mic drop.