STARKVILLE — UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma has created a firestorm following comments directed to Mississippi State guard Lauren Park-Lane.

During his media availability after UConn's win at St. John's on Saturday, Auriemma was asked about the challenges of coaching in the NIL and transfer portal era.

"It's unfortunate because at a school like St. John's, maybe, in women's basketball where some of the teams in our league (Big East), you know, you've got a player that's really, really, really, really good that you coached the hell out of and you just made them who they are," Auriemma said. "It happened to Seton Hall last year. And that kid goes, 'Yeah, well I think I can make more money somewhere else.'

"OK, well you wouldn't have been this good if it wasn't for your coaching staff that you have right now. So, again, it becomes just a transaction. I don't think any coach that got into it, that's around anywhere around my age, completely buys into all that."

Park-Lane transferred from Seton Hall to Mississippi State after the 2022-23 season.

Park-Lane and strength coach Kaiti Jones have been among those to speak out against Auriemma's comments.

"Whewww," Park-Lane wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "... I still have eligibility left so (I'm going to) just save my comments."

"To say I left MY 4 year university for money is reckless," she later added.

"Keep my (point guard's) name out your mouth," Jones wrote. "She transferred as a grad transfer. Last I checked, dedicating 4 years of your eligibility to a university is a completion of the agreed upon commitment. She wants to compete for championships not a paycheck."

LOOKING BACK: How Mississippi State landed transfer Lauren Park-Lane and why her recruitment was a top priority

Fellow players, including LSU star forward Angel Reese, have also come to Park-Lane's defense, suggesting the MSU guard was loyal to Seton Hall.

"Been that girl, forever that girl & always will be that girl," Reese posted. "I remember jokingly asking you come play with me at (Maryland) and you always told me you loved Seton Hall and wanted to graduate there! keep being you CHEATCODE!"

Park-Lane averaged 15.9 points per game in her four seasons at Seton Hall. She was a unanimous All-Big East first team selection in the 2022-23 season and the 2021-2022 campaign. She also earned the honor in the 2020-2021 season in which she was voted the conference's most improved player.

At MSU, Park has started 19 of 20 games and is averaging 10.5 points and 6.2 assists per game.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Did Geno Auriemma take shot at Mississippi State's Lauren Park-Lane?