Basketball Hall of Famer, Olympic gold medalist, and UConn legend Rebecca Lobo joins Justin Kutcher for a heartfelt, hilarious, and history-rich conversation about her extraordinary journey through the game.

We relive the wild stories from her WNBA playing days — including going to Whitney Houston’s birthday party and riding in a convertible with Shaq. Rebecca also opens up about what it was really like playing for Geno Auriemma, how she nearly didn’t choose UConn, and why that decision changed her life. She shares powerful insights about accountability, growth, and mentorship in elite athletics.

We also dive into the evolution of the WNBA — from its early days playing in front of 16,000 at Madison Square Garden to the explosion of popularity driven by Caitlin Clark. Plus, Rebecca reflects on Olympic gold, coaching AAU with Jen Rizzotti, and what it means to be part of a 30-year dynasty.

(00:00:00) Intro & Rebecca’s hilarious “Pimp of DeVille” story
(00:04:00) Why she chose UConn — against her parents’ wishes
(00:08:45) What it was like playing for Geno Auriemma
(00:13:00) The tough love that built a championship team
(00:17:45) Behind the scenes at UConn practices
(00:20:40) 1995 undefeated season and the pressure
(00:26:30) Coaching boys’ AAU with Jen Rizzotti
(00:34:00) What made Geno and UConn special
(00:37:10) Winning Olympic gold in 1996 with Team USA
(00:44:00) Riding in a convertible with Shaq & life after gold
(00:48:00) Birth of the WNBA and New York Liberty years
(00:54:00) The Caitlin Clark effect and the W’s growth
(01:01:00) How she met husband Steve Rushin (great story!)
(01:08:00) Pinch-me moments: National titles, Whitney’s party, and broadcasting today
(01:13:00) Rebecca’s all-time UConn starting five

📌 Playing for Geno Auriemma — mental toughness & accountability
📌 The rise of UConn Women’s Basketball and 1995 championship
📌 Rebecca’s role in the 1996 Olympic gold medal team
📌 The founding years of the WNBA and the New York Liberty
📌 Caitlin Clark’s impact on WNBA viewership and growth
📌 Coaching AAU with Jen Rizzotti and influencing young athletes
📌 Life behind the scenes: Whitney’s party, Destiny’s Child, and NY in the 90s

Rebecca Lobo is a Basketball Hall of Famer, Olympic gold medalist, and 1995 NCAA Champion with UConn. A WNBA pioneer with the New York Liberty, she’s now one of the leading voices in women’s basketball as an ESPN analyst. Her impact spans generations — as a player, broadcaster, and advocate for the game.

The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.