Paige Bueckers announces her decision about her basketball future in the NCAA
As Paige Bueckers enters her fifth and final year with the UConn Huskies, expectations are at an all-time high for the standout athlete. Bueckers has garnered numerous accolades throughout her college career, including being the only freshman to win the AP Player of the Year in 2021, beating out now-Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. This year, Bueckers is also a nominee for the ESPY award in the “Best Comeback Athlete” category, alongside Simone Biles, Joe Flacco, and Zion Williamson.
In a recent interview after a training session, Bueckers expressed her excitement for the season, stating, “I’m enjoying it, being healthy in the offseason, just trying to get stronger.” Staying healthy will be crucial for her, especially given her history with injuries. She added, “I’m learning how to play with pace and use my strength.”
Nicknamed “Paige Buckets” for her scoring ability, Bueckers is set to become the face of college women’s basketball this upcoming season. She and the Huskies are aiming to match the success of their male counterparts, who are the reigning NCAA champions. At 22, with four seasons of college play behind her, Bueckers is determined to secure her first national championship before moving on to the WNBA.
Bueckers has been hampered by injuries from the start. As a freshman, she led UConn to the Final Four and set assist records. However, she missed most of her sophomore season due to a left knee injury but still managed to guide her team to the national championship game, where they lost to South Carolina. Her junior season was cut short by a torn ACL. Last season, Bueckers made a comeback, earning unanimous first-team All-American honors and leading the Huskies to the Final Four, where they narrowly lost to Caitlin Clark’s team, 71-69.
Assuming she remains injury-free, Bueckers is widely anticipated to be the top pick in the next WNBA draft, regardless of how the 2024-2025 season unfolds. While comparisons to Caitlin Clark are inevitable, Bueckers should concentrate on achieving as much success as possible this season and learning from Clark’s experiences in the spotlight. As Bueckers begins her final collegiate season, all eyes will be on her and the Huskies, with hopes that she can guide them to victory and solidify her legacy as one of the greatest players in UConn history.
