WNBA star and Connecticut Sun General Manager Morgan Tuck participated in a Q&A session with a group of student panelists at Kirkwood High School on Nov. 6.
Shown from left are: Nipher Middle School student Niah Brooks; Kirkwood High sophomore basketball player Cruz Wise; Morgan Tuck; Kirkwood High senior basketball player Brooke Rose; Kirkwood High junior basketball player Noah Taylor; and Kirkwood High student Janell Burgett, a representative of the Black Achievement Culture Club. | photo courtesy of the Kirkwood School District
During a recent trip to the St. Louis area, Women’s National Basketball Association star Morgan Tuck, who serves as general manager of the Connecticut Sun team, made a stop at Kirkwood High School to speak with students in the boys and girls basketball programs. She also spoke to student members of the Black Achievement Culture Club.
Students heard about Tuck’s experiences as a student athlete, her transition to executive leadership and her journey of perseverance, teamwork and resilience. The visit was coordinated by Nelson Taylor, Kirkwood High School’s head basketball coach.
“Morgan Tuck has seen the world and has a massive impact on women’s sports,” Taylor told students during Tuck’s visit. “Bringing a championship culture to Kirkwood High School is something I am aspiring to do. Morgan Tuck has experience in that culture, both as an athlete and businesswoman, and I want to invite all of you to learn from her today.”
Tuck grew up in a family of basketball fans. A standout on the court and now in the office, Tuck was a key player for the University of Connecticut from 2013 to 2016, winning four NCAA National Championships. As a player, she amassed a 151-5 record, the most victories for a college basketball player.
Tuck attended the University of Connecticut due to “how much they respected women’s basketball,” and shared with students the importance of education, staying in school and being part of a team.
“Get that degree. It doesn’t matter what it is,” Tuck told students. “Working in the real world is a lot harder than you think. Enjoy where you are right now and don’t wish it away. You have a lot of life ahead.”
After college, Tuck played in the WNBA, spending four seasons with the Connecticut Sun and finishing her professional career with a championship with the Seattle Storm in 2020.
Tuck said the culture she’s trying to build for the Connecticut Sun is one that makes a positive impact.
“Integrity is important. Don’t lose the human element of what we’re doing,” she said. “We are taking care of people.”