After leading Russian powerhouse Spartak Moscow Region to four straight EuroLeague titles, former UConn star Diana Taurasi will be playing in Turkey next winter.

Spartak did announce for former UConn star Sue Bird and the Connecticut Sun's Anete Jekabsone-Zogota are among the key players coming back while Taurasi, the MVP of the Final Four and leading scorer in the EuroLeague, and Sylvia Fowles will not be with the squad in its quest for a fifth straight title.


Also, I have it on good authority that Geno Auriemma will be making an appearance in Branford on May 17 for a charity basketball event to raise money for cancer research. The event is being organized by former Branford High girls' basketball coach and long-time CIAC girls' basketball state tournament director Dave Maloney, who has been working with Auriemma on various events in a partnership between the CIAC and Geno's Cancer Team. The format is similar to last year's event with team with representatives from WTNH News 8, the Branford Police and fire departments as well as squads of teachers and students at Branford High.

When more details become available, I will pass them on.