SPOKANE, Wash. — Fifth-year senior Paige Bueckers (BECK-ers) is leading the UConn Huskies to their 24th Final Four appearance while also preparing for the WNBA. As she continues her final season with the Huskies, her focus has been to complete her college career with a national championship. Although her journey hasn’t been perfect, Bueckers has overcome any obstacle thrown her way. It is through her hard work, competitive spirit, and exceptional talent that she is demonstrating her star potential.
Bueckers is known as an elite two-way player, making an impact with her tremendous scoring and lockdown defense. Her skill on the court has earned the utmost respect from her teammates and captured national attention over her career. Sophomore guard Ashlynn Shade commented on Bueckers’ ability to excel on both sides of the court and do anything asked of her.
“(Bueckers) does just about everything for us,” Shade said. “She knows where to be in any plays and gets in the passing lane, gets rebounds, and does it all.”
As a do-it-all player, Bueckers has brought success to the UConn program during her entire college career. Along with her skill on the court, she often shows her competitive nature and willingness to do anything for a win. Senior guard and longtime teammate of Bueckers, Azzi Fudd (a-zee fuhd), commented on how her competitive spirit motivates the rest of the team to perform well.
“It’s incredible to play with someone who has such a high motor, and she lives for those moments,” Fudd said after UConn's 82-59 Sweet 16 win against Oklahoma. “To be a part of (her performances) is so much fun and it raises your level of play as well from being one of (Bueckers’) teammates.”
She takes her competitiveness to another level when the season is on the line, and both Bueckers and her teammates benefit from it. She spoke about how she’s always demonstrated that characteristic, even at a young age.
“I feel like I’ve always been pretty competitive,” Bueckers said. “It started when I was little with board games and recess games and gym class games. You want to be the best at everything, but you can’t do it alone.”
Bueckers’ talent and competitive fire have helped shape her memorable college career, bringing lots of success to the program. She spoke about being remembered for her impact with the Huskies, while being a selfless teammate and wearing her jersey with pride.
“(I want to be remembered as) somebody that gave their all to the program, wore their jersey with great pride, was a great teammate, and never took (the opportunity) for granted.”
While Bueckers is wrapping up an unforgettable career, some of her hardest moments happened as a Husky. She suffered two long-term knee injuries that cost her a year and a half of her career. Bueckers reflected on her unique journey and what she would tell her younger self if she had the chance.
“The way you think about and frame whatever is happening to you in life, you’ll get the most out of it,” she said. “Not everything you think is bad will be bad. Attack everything with a great mentality of working hard, never letting anything stop you.”
Bueckers helped UConn reach the Final Four for the fourth time during her career, adding to her long list of accomplishments. She reflected on everything she went through in college and how it’s taught her to never take any accomplishment for granted.
“The journey life has brought me on has taught me to never take anything for granted,” Bueckers said after UConn's 78-64 Elite Eight win against USC. “On any given day, things can be taken away from you, so to be (in the Final Four) is the UConn standard, but it doesn’t make it any easier getting here.”
As Bueckers guides the Huskies towards a national championship this season, she has shown she has what it takes to succeed at the next level.
