--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I first arrived at UConn, I told…" description: "\"When I first arrived at UConn, I told myself I was going to dedicate my life to basketball. And when you do something like that, you alienate a lot of ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/diana-taurasi-5019_basketball_when-i-first-arrived-at-uconn-i-told-mys_489245.jpg" --- # When I first arrived at UConn, I told myself I was going… ![“When I first arrived at UConn, I told myself I was going to dedicate my life to basketball. And when you do something like that, you alienate a lot of other things in your life that most people think are normal things to do.” quote by Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/diana-taurasi-5019_basketball_when-i-first-arrived-at-uconn-i-told-mys_489245.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/diana-taurasi-5019_basketball_when-i-first-arrived-at-uconn-i-told-mys_489245.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/diana-taurasi-5019_basketball_when-i-first-arrived-at-uconn-i-told-mys_489245.jpg) > “When I first arrived at UConn, I told myself I was going to dedicate my life to basketball. And when you do something like that, you alienate a lot of other things in your life that most people think are normal things to do.” [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She reflects on the sacrifices of single‑minded dedication to sport, noting other life areas are neglected. **In simple terms:** Focusing on basketball cost her other normal experiences. Key Takeaway Balance passion with broader life goals. Themes dedication trade‑offs career focus Mood reflective determined Type personal motivational When to use this quote - college athletics - career planning - personal relationships Key Concepts opportunity cost identity formation Questions to Reflect On - What are you willing to give up for your goal? - How can you integrate other interests? A Different Perspective Neglecting other aspects can harm long‑term wellbeing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arrived Uconn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrived-uconn-4189805/) [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Basketball Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball-like-264077/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-basketball-664101/) [My life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-life/) [Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myself/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/something/) [Uconn Told](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uconn-told-4189804/) ## Related quotes > [A big part of what kept me focused on the music was already failing with basketball. I played basketball all of my life. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-east/a-big-part-of-what-kept-me-focused-on-the-music-was-already-failing/) [Dave East](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-east/) > [I try to envision what life is after basketball, but I just see myself working out and just being a basketball player still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/i-try-to-envision-what-life-is-after-basketball-but-i-just-see-myself/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [Every time I see my life without basketball, I get a little scared, and I try to put a little more into it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/every-time-i-see-my-life-without-basketball-i-get-a-little-scared-and/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [Basketball, like all sports, is predicated on the execution of fundamentals. The coach is a teacher. His subject: fundamentals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ramsay/basketball-like-all-sports-is-predicated-on-the-execution-of/) [Jack Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ramsay/) > [There's more to life than basketball. The most important thing is your family and taking care of each other and loving each other no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-curry/there-s-more-to-life-than-basketball-the-most-important-thing-is-your/) [Stephen Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-curry/) > [I have two definitions of success - one on the basketball court and one in my personal life. In basketball, success means making my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwyane-wade/i-have-two-definitions-of-success-one-on-the-basketball-court-and-one/) [Dwyane Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwyane-wade/) > [Basketball is like Religion. Many attend but few understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-skiles/basketball-is-like-religion-many-attend-but-few-understand/) [Scott Skiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-skiles/) > [Playing basketball for me is like breathing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becky-hammon/playing-basketball-for-me-is-like-breathing/) [Becky Hammon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becky-hammon/) > [I look at basketball as like a storm. But it's the eye of the storm. The calmest place of it is to be right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-smart/i-look-at-basketball-as-like-a-storm-but-it-s-the-eye-of-the-storm/) [Marcus Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-smart/) > [Basketball's so much like life: if something's going great, you wait a minute, it will change. If something's going bad, you wait a minute,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-duncan/basketball-s-so-much-like-life-if-something-s-going-great-you-wait-a/) [Tim Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-duncan/) > [Basketball is not like football: It's not a car accident happening every play. Over the nine months, you can rest in practice and take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jalen-rose/basketball-is-not-like-football-it-s-not-a-car-accident-happening/) [Jalen Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jalen-rose/) > [Basketball is like society - you're going to have good and bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/basketball-is-like-society-you-re-going-to-have-good-and-bad/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [Frankie Muniz is amazing at everything he does. Many people don't know that he can play the piano like you wouldn't believe, and he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samaire-armstrong/frankie-muniz-is-amazing-at-everything-he-does-many-people-don-t-know/) [Samaire Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samaire-armstrong/) > [It's always fun. It's basketball. It's like the most fun thing we do. If you take it away from us, we're upset. It's like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaren-jackson-jr/it-s-always-fun-it-s-basketball-it-s-like-the-most-fun-thing-we-do-if/) [Jaren Jackson, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaren-jackson-jr/) > [Everybody was pressuring me to play basketball, so I was like, 'OK, I'll do it.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deandre-ayton/everybody-was-pressuring-me-to-play-basketball-so-i-was-like-ok-i-ll/) [Deandre Ayton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deandre-ayton/) ## More by Diana Taurasi > [You work for the WNBA. Obviously, they want us to prioritize the WNBA as being No. 1 on our list, but the reality is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/you-work-for-the-wnba-obviously-they-want-us-to-prioritize-the-wnba/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [I now know I can live without basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/i-now-know-i-can-live-without-basketball/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [As long as I'm playing at a high level, and I deserve to be out there, then I'll always put that U.S.A. jersey on.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/as-long-as-i-m-playing-at-a-high-level-and-i-deserve-to-be-out-there/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [I never complain when I foul, ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/i-never-complain-when-i-foul-ever/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [Whether it's college or WNBA, its basketball and the more you play the less you need to adjust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/whether-it-s-college-or-wnba-its-basketball-and-the-more-you-play-the/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [Being loyal through thick and thin, ups and downs, it makes the special moments that much more special.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/being-loyal-through-thick-and-thin-ups-and-downs-it-makes-the-special/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [I'm not a Russian sympathizer, but after being in Russia for that long many years... like, look... they way they think isn't wrong, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/i-m-not-a-russian-sympathizer-but-after-being-in-russia-for-that-long/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [My dad woke up at 5:30 every morning - every single day - and drove an hour-and-a-half to work. My mom was constantly working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/my-dad-woke-up-at-5-30-every-morning-every-single-day-and-drove-an/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [I've always loved passing the basketball, making other people better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/i-ve-always-loved-passing-the-basketball-making-other-people-better/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [Being a mom makes me prioritize the game of basketball for what it is - a game. For so long I was so addicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/being-a-mom-makes-me-prioritize-the-game-of-basketball-for-what-it-is/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [I've gone left 90% of my career, guess what, I still go left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/i-ve-gone-left-90-of-my-career-guess-what-i-still-go-left/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [I can say I want to be known as the prettiest player ever but I don't control that, the people control that. So all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/i-can-say-i-want-to-be-known-as-the-prettiest-player-ever-but-i-don-t/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [It's one thing to have a lot of talent together. It's another to have everyone play at their highest level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/it-s-one-thing-to-have-a-lot-of-talent-together-it-s-another-to-have/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [If you like basketball, you enjoy watching good basketball. And if you don't like watching good basketball, go watch rowing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/if-you-like-basketball-you-enjoy-watching-good-basketball-and-if-you/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) > [I didn't set out to win Olympic medals, to play at UConn, to play in the WNBA. I just loved to play basketball. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-taurasi/i-didn-t-set-out-to-win-olympic-medals-to-play-at-uconn-to-play-in/) [Diana Taurasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) [Explore all 104 Diana Taurasi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-taurasi/) ## More Basketball quotes > [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [I learned so much from Sue about the Xs and Os of the game of basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-learned-so-much-from-sue-about-the-xs-and-os-of-the-game-of/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Basketball isn't just a sport to me ; it's my ecstasy !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamira-robinson/basketball-isn-t-just-a-sport-to-me-it-s-my-ecstasy/) [Jamira Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamira-robinson/) > [It's similar to basketball: when you go to different gyms and win or lose, you learn something new. So when kids get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-similar-to-basketball-when-you-go-to-different-gyms-and-win-or/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) > [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/) [Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/) > [Practice to beat the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/practice-to-beat-the-best/) [Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/) > [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) > [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [What I've talked about the entire series and throughout this playoffs is about intensity and effort, desire and will of our players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/what-i-ve-talked-about-the-entire-series-and-throughout-this-playoffs/) [Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/) [Browse all 5,387 Basketball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I first arrived at UConn, I told myself I was going to dedicate my life to basketball. 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