USA – Obama hands UConn women first defeat

WASHINGTON D.C. (NCAA) – United States President Barack Obama has added a new dimension to the visits of championship-winning teams to the White House.

Obama, a basketball player and a huge fan of the game, now takes teams outside to shoot hoops on the make-shift court he’s had constructed at his residence on Pennyslvania Avenue.

And home-court advantage, the all-conquering University of Connecticut women’s team discovered, means that Obama is tough to beat.

UConn went undefeated this season in the women’s game on their way to a sixth national title under Auriemma.

But Obama started and won a light-hearted game of PIG, using his silky-smooth left-handed set shot, during the UCONN visit.

During their visit, Obama spoke to every member off the UConn contingent – including coach Geno Auriemma - who was recently named as the new boss of the USA women’s national team.

“I want to just say it is a thrill,” Obama said.

“This is one of my favorite things about the job".

“I am a big fan".

“I want to congratulate everybody who runs the UCONN program - from the assistants to the trainers, to the students to the ticket-takers, and of course, the UCONN fans everywhere - you should all be extraordinarily proud.”

Obama praised the UConn women for their academic excellence.

They were recently recognized by the NCAA for top academic performance as a team. Over the course of 24 seasons, Auriemma's teams have a phenomenal 100% graduation rate.

Obama also remarked on their charity work.

“They also spend time off the court in service to others,” Obama said.

"Geno's Cancer Team" - and I'm wearing a bracelet that I just got, right here, I want to show it off - raises money to fight cancer.

“And these young women visit pediatric patients, mentor at-risk youth to show they can make something of themselves, and give their time to folks in the communities who need it most.”

FIBA