The University of Connecticut proudly announces the 10 members of the inaugural class for the Huskies of Honor. Eight of the 10 will be in attendance for the unveiling of the banners representing each of UConn's Kodak All-Americans on Thursday, December 21st at the Colorado St. game.

The Connecticut women's basketball "Huskies of Honor" inaugural class honorees include:

Coach Geno Auriemma: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 2006); Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 2006); Five-time National Coach of the Year (1994-95, 1996-97; 1999-00; 2001-02; 2002-03).

Kerry Bascom (1987-1991): 1990-91 First Team All-American; 1991 NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player; Three-Time Big East Conference Player of the Year (1988-89, 1989-90, 1990-91; 1989 Big East Championship Most Outstanding Player; Led UConn to first appearance in the NCAA "Final Four" (1991).

Rebecca Lobo (1991-1995): 1994-95 National Collegiate Player of the Year; Two-time First Team All-American (1993-94, 1994-95); 1995 NCAA "Final Four" Most Outstanding Player; Two-time Big East Conference Player of the Year (1993-94, 1994-95); Led UConn to 1995 NCAA National Championship with perfect 35-0 record; 1996 USA Olympic Gold Medalist.

Jennifer Rizzotti (1992-1996): 1995-96 National Collegiate Player of the Year; Two-time First Team All-American (1994-95, 1995-96); Two-time NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player (1995, 1996); 1995-96 Big East Conference Player of the Year.

Kara Wolters (1993-1997): 1996-97 National Collegiate Player of the Year; Two-time First Team All-American (1995-96, 1996-97); Two-time Big East Championship Most Outstanding Player (1995, 1996); 1996-97 Big East Conference Player of the Year; 2000 USA Olympic Gold Medalist.

Nykesha Sales (1994-1998): Two-time First Team All-American (1996-97, 1997-98); 1997 Big East Championship Most Outstanding Player; 1997-98 Big East Conference Player of the Year; UConn Career Scoring Leader (2,178 points).

Svetlana Abrosimova (1997-2001): Three-time First Team All-American (1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01); 2000 NCAA "Final Four" All-Tournament Team; 2000 NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player; 1998-99 Big East Conference Player of the Year.

Shea Ralph (1996-2001): 1999-2000 First Team All-American; 2000 NCAA "Final Four" Most Outstanding Player; 1999 Big East Championship Most Outstanding Player; 1999-2000 Big East Conference Player of the Year.

Sue Bird (1998-2002): 2001-02 National Collegiate Player of the Year; 2001-02 First Team All-American; 2002 NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player; 2001-02 Big East Conference Player of the Year; 2004 USA Olympic Gold Medalist.

Swin Cash (1998-2002): 2001-02 First Team All-American; 2002 NCAA "Final Four" Most Outstanding Player; Three-time Big East Championship All-Tournament Team (1999, 2000, 2002); 2004 USA Olympic Gold Medalist.

Diana Taurasi (2000-2004): Two-time National Collegiate Player of the Year (2002-03, 2003-04); Three-time First Team All-American (2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04); Two-time NCAA "Final Four" Most Outstanding Player (2003, 2004); Two-time Big East Conference Player of the Year (2002-03, 2003-04); 2004 USA Olympic Gold Medalist.

Of Note:
Bird and Taurasi will fly home (4,600+ miles) from Russia and arrive the morning of the game after playing a game for their offseason Russian team Spartak Wednesday, Dec. 20th (talk about world travelers). "It is obvious how much this ceremony means to Sue and Diana based on the tremendous efforts they are taking to get here for the event," says UConn Director of Athletics Jeff Hathaway. "We always knew that a ceremony like this would mean a great deal to our basketball programs, the people that are being honored and UConn fans around the world. Sue and Diana's ambitous plans to get to Storrs are a testament to that."

The only two not in attendance will be Abrosimova and Ralph who have prior commitments. Abrosimova, a St. Petersburg, Russia native, plays on the same team as Bird and Taurasi, but will be unable to attend due to a commitment for an event in St. Petersburg, Russia that will celebrate the 100th anniversary of women's basketball in Russia. Ralph, an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh women's basketball team, will be with the Panthers as they participate in the Caribbean Classic in Cancun, Mexico. "We believe this will be a very special night with eight of our ten former student-athletes and Coach Auriemma attending in person. Svet and Shea will be part of our inaugural class unveiling and we will also pay special honor to (them) when their schedules permit them to be her in person," says Hathaway.