UConn star Paige Bueckers is flourishing greater than ever, this time main the Huskies to the NCAA Ladies’s Candy 16.
“We now have the perfect participant in America.”
These have been assured phrases from Geno Auriemma on Monday night time. And whom may he be referring to? Paige Bueckers, no. 5 for the Connecticut Huskies.
In terms of sports activities, the tales behind the athletes on the courtroom are sometimes transferring and emotional. For Paige Bueckers, she’s been nothing wanting inspiring. Whereas girls’s basketball is crammed to the brim with unbelievable storylines, we merely can’t neglect UConn’s brightest star and her journey again to the hardwood.
Discuss Paige Bueckers resilience and keenness for basketball. That is her comeback narrative, pushed by her religion and dedication to return to the sport. It is oftentimes not in regards to the setback, however in regards to the comeback.
Paige “Buckets” is again, and so are the UConn Huskies.
Bueckers, now technically in her third season with the Connecticut Huskies, is undoubtedly one of the crucial prevalent gamers within the nation. Whereas she’s an elite scorer and tenacious defender, the Minnesota native’s been tormented by unfortunate accidents. The previous McDonald’s All-American suffered a tibial plateau fracture in late December 2021 by which surgical procedure was carried out. Together with the fracture, Bueckers suffered a meniscus tear.
Whereas many anticipated No. 5 to overlook the majority of the season, she made a miraculous, but restricted comeback in Feb. of 2022. Regardless of being restricted on the courtroom, Bueckers fueled the Huskies by way of the 2022 NCAA Match. A crew that after fell out of the AP prime ten was destined to face the South Carolina Gamecocks within the 2022 NCAA Championship recreation.
Though South Carolina barreled by way of UConn 64-49 for the championship title, it was the story of no. 5 and her persistence to return to the courtroom. Whereas the end result did not sway within the Huskies favor, Bueckers was the one participant on the UConn roster to place up factors in double figures.
What number of gamers can declare they led their crew to the championship recreation regardless of not being absolutely wholesome? That is what units Bueckers aside and makes her distinctive among the many pack.
Paige Bueckers missed the whole 2022-2023 season
Sadly, that was the final time Bueckers would hit the ground for fairly a while. Heading into her junior season, the guard suffered a torn ACL within the low season. Having missed the entire 2022-2023 season, the Minnesota native spent nearly all of the season cheering on her teammates from the sidelines.
Paige Bueckers’ IG put up about her torn ACL:
“It is gonna be one hell of a comeback…I’ve labored too onerous for the little child in these photos to maintain going for the desires I’ve had since I first picked up the ball, so why would I cease now?” pic.twitter.com/f7lsyYQCiN
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 3, 2022
Regardless of lacking Bueckers from the lineup, the Huskies managed to make the 2023 NCAA Match. Nonetheless, for no. 5 it was a punch to the intestine, particularly since she wasn’t accessible to play. After conceding to Ohio State 73-61 within the Candy 16, the Huskies have been as soon as once more eradicated from the match.
However for Bueckers, she was exceptionally emotional after their 77-58 victory over Baylor within the second spherical. Though UConn pulled off the victory, it pained her to look at from the sidelines. Bueckers wished greater than something to contribute on the ground together with her teammates. Not solely does she love the sport of basketball, however she bleeds blue. Her loyalty to UConn and coach Auriemma is unwavering.
“Final yr towards Baylor within the second spherical at house, I simply keep in mind going again in my automotive and simply being very emotional,” Bueckers informed ESPN. “Not having the ability to play on this environment, on this surroundings, and this excessive stakes recreation. I prayed about it.”
Whereas the journey again to the courtroom hasn’t been a straightforward activity, Bueckers closely leaned on her religion throughout onerous instances. Over a yr of rehabbing her damage, the guard made her season debut towards Dayton in late 2023.
Not solely did no. 5 overcome such a tragic damage, however she elevated her recreation in a method that is turned heads throughout the basketball world. Regardless of the Huskies dealing with a number of accidents, together with Azzi Fudd, it was Bueckers’ second to face out.
And certainly, she did so. Bueckers, who was just lately named AP All-American, averaged a career-high 21 factors per recreation, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks. In 36 whole video games, the UConn star shot an environment friendly 54 p.c from the ground, and 41.8 p.c from deep. The UConn star was just lately named Naismith Participant of the Yr finalist.
It has been almost two years since Bueckers appeared in a March Insanity recreation
And 720 days later, Bueckers would participate in her first March Insanity recreation because the South Carolina matchup. This comes after Bueckers sensation efficiency that led UConn to their fourth straight Large East Championship. Within the blowout over Georgetown, the guard put up 27 factors, 4 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and 5 blocks.
Within the Huskies first-round matchup towards Jackson State, the guard completed with 28 factors, 11 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and one block. From there, UConn confronted off towards Syracuse within the spherical of 32. In entrance of an electrical crowd at Gampel Pavilion, Bueckers was certainly a bucket. Stepping up when it mattered essentially the most, she matched a season-high 32 factors, 10 rebounds, six assists, 4 steals, and one block.
Paige Buckets final 2 video games 🔥
32 PTS, 11 REB, 6 AST, 4 STL (56% FG)
28 PTS, 11 REB, 7 AST, 3 STL (58% FG)pic.twitter.com/sXDxzpENsV— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 26, 2024
Whereas Syracuse minimize the deficit to 2 factors, Bueckers knew the second was all hers. With 1:30 remaining within the fourth quarter, with out hesitation, no. 5 sunk a contested mid-range jumper. At this second, her shot put the Huskies within the lead, 67-63. From there, Bueckers was seen firing up the gang at Gampel.
Not solely did she lead the Huskies to their thirtieth straight Candy 16, however it was additionally a certain signal of a dominant comeback. Paige Bueckers, a five-star recruit in 2020 was formally again. It was seen in her eyes, her physique language, and in her tone. It is unbelievable transferring to see the return of a participant who was closely tormented by accidents.
Bueckers has been lights out on this yr’s match
Following her first two matchups of the match, Buecker’s vitality is unmatched. With 60 factors within the first two video games, Bueckers is now the primary participant in almost 25 years to place up a cumulative 60 factors, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists. Whereas she introduced her return to UConn subsequent season, she’s laid all the things out on the courtroom for the Huskies. Amid questions if she may return to her freshman kind, she by no means overlooked her desires and objectives. For certain, optimism has gone a good distance for Paige Bueckers, and the entire onerous work that is been poured into her craft.
Bueckers had an inspirational journey again, and one which speaks to many. While you come to Storrs, Connecticut, you come to play for coach Auriemma, and also you come to win. Within the small city of Tolland County, Connecticut, Bueckers and the Connecticut Huskies will goal for his or her first championship of the 2016 season and nothing extra.
Bueckers and firm will face the Kara Lawson and the Duke Blue Devils within the Candy 16. Scheduled for Mar. 30, tip-off will start at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content material Creator and Social Media Supervisor for Ballislife Bets. She has a deal with the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane at the moment resides within the Connecticut/NYC space together with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.