Paige Bueckers is one of the most famous players in women’s college basketball. On Friday, the Connecticut Huskies superstar told a sold-out crowd inside Gampel Pavilion that he will be back next season.
The Buccaneers’ announcement has significant implications for the entire women’s college basketball world. Buccaneer is averaging 20 points per game through 27 games, matching his career best. She was expected to be a lottery pick in this year’s WNBA Draft.
The 22-year-old Huskies guard put an end to speculation about his future during a postgame ceremony on UW’s Senior Night.
“I know everyone wants me to address the elephant in the room. Unfortunately, this will not be my last commencement night at the university. I will be back,” she said.
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Connecticut’s Paige Bueckers, 5, walks to the basket during the first half of a first-round game against Mercer in the NCAA Tournament on March 19, 2022 in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Backers also thanked fans and students for their support during his time in Storrs, Conn.
“Words cannot express what this program means to me and what you, the best student section in this country, mean to me,” Bakkers said.
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“Thank you everyone. Of course, the last four years didn’t go as I planned or hoped, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Without the world, I wouldn’t… You can never get over what you went through.” Everyone here. So, thank you to the best fans in this country. ”
Bookers has received numerous awards during his storied career with the Huskies. In 2021, she was unanimously selected to the All-American First Team.
Paige Bueckers of the Yukon Huskies controls the ball during the first half of the 2021 NCAA Tournament first-round game against the High Point Panthers. (Carmen Mandert/Getty Images)
She also won virtually every top college basketball award that year, including the John R. Wooden Award, the Naismith College Player of the Year Award, and the Associated Press Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year Award.
That season, the Huskies advanced to the Final Four. But since then, the Buccaneers have faced multiple setbacks. She underwent surgery on her ankle after a stellar freshman campaign. She then missed 19 games in her second season as she underwent surgery to repair her anterior tibial plateau fracture and torn meniscus in her leg.
Paige Bueckers of the Connecticut Huskies watches warm-ups before their game against the Louisville Cardinals during the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena on December 19, 2021 in Uncasville, CT. (G. Fiume/Getty Images)
She returned to the lineup in 2022 and helped lift UW to a national championship game appearance, but tore her ACL the following summer and missed her junior year.
Bueckers’ return is one of the few pieces of good news for the Huskies on the injury front, as they have lost Azzie Fudd and Aubrey Griffin to injury this season. University competition: 22 wins and 5 losses.
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The Buccaneers had the option of returning to Connecticut for a medical redshirt season in 2022-23. She could also enter a sixth season with the Huskies if she chooses to take advantage of her extended eligibility due to COVID-19.
Longtime Huskies coach Geno Auriemma also sought to end speculation that he would retire, saying he would return next season.
“Yes, I will be back,” Auriemma told reporters.
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