Morgan Tuck candidly discussed during her uber-successful time at UConn that she didn’t know how long her balky knees would allow her to play basketball.

Nonetheless, Tuck had no plans on retiring this past WNBA season when her knees finally said, “no mas”, causing her to call it a career last March with no job lined up or clear-cut path of what to do next.

“I had no idea what I was going to be doing, so that panic set in a little bit,” Tuck said. “‘Okay, now what?”

It didn’t take Tuck long to find a new opportunity as the Connecticut Sun hired her to be their Director of Franchise Development in May.

“It’s been very different,” Tuck said during a video call with the media on Thursday. “I tell everyone that I’m not used to sitting in an office and at a desk.

“It’s been really positive. It’s been good. Everyone has been super helpful.”

Tuck’s basketball life was shorter than she would’ve liked but she managed to squeeze a lot into it. She, Moriah Jefferson and Breanna Stewart became the only players in NCAA basketball history to win four national championships during their time at UConn.

The trio quickly made WNBA history as they were the top three picks in the 2016 draft, the first time in league history that one school produced the first three picks.

The Sun drafted Tuck third overall and she played four seasons with them before being traded to the Seattle Storm in 2020.

“Looking back, it was a great career and I’m very, very blessed and appreciative,” Tuck said, “but, no, I wish I could’ve played longer. I wanted to be an All-Star and do a lot of different things that I didn’t do.

“It’s a career that I’m proud of. Even though it was tough at times, it was amazing. I’ve had some of the best moments of my life during my basketball career. I know that I’m not that old. Hopefully I’ll have some other great moments.”

Tuck was fortunate to go out with a bang and earn a championship ring as Seattle won last season’s WNBA title.

“That was the perfect ending, so I’ll take it,” Tuck smiled.

Tuck talked to current and former players after she retired for career advice and encouragement. UConn head coach Geno Auriemma and long-time assistant Chris Daley also provided help.

“They were awesome,” Tuck said, “especially CD sending me different opportunities and different things to think about; just being a helpful person because they know it’s a big transition when you’re going into the regular working world.”

Tuck’s new gig is multi-faceted. “Change Can’t Wait”, the team’s social reform platform, is a key part of her job. Connecticut formed the platform in June 2020 to, “create year-round programming, messaging and activation via team and player outlets to eradicate racism and reverse systemic oppression in Black and Brown communities in Connecticut and throughout New England.”

“I’m trying to make it a little more inclusive and expand it and get it to where it can be and make a bigger impact,” Tuck said.

Tuck is also tasked with helping grow the fan base as well as getting out into the community to both build relationships and give back.

Longtime Sun starting point guard Jasmine Thomas has partnered up with Sharing Shoes, a charity which collects “new and gently-worn basketball shoes for under-served athletes.” Fans can donate shoes at Sunday’s home game against the Chicago Sky and on July 9 when Connecticut hosts the Atlanta Dream.

“It’s a lot of different things, but the biggest thing is getting out into the community.”

n.griffen@theday.com