Some wins are bigger than trophies. Some moments feel like destiny. After leading the University of Connecticut Huskies to their 12th national title with a dominant 82-59 beatdown of the South Carolina Gamecocks, All-American Paige Bueckers stepped off the court and into a deeply emotional space.
It was a lot to take in for Bueckers. And what she shared afterward? Well, it hit like a dagger—in the best, most beautiful way.
Paige Bueckers: “I Felt Their Presence”
In the postgame presser, Bueckers didn’t just talk buckets and boards—she opened her heart. And when asked about Gianna Bryant, the late daughter of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, she gave an answer that stopped the room.
“I felt their presence for sure,” she said. And you could feel that she meant every word.
This would’ve been Gianna Bryant’s first year eligible to play for the Huskies—a dream she made no secret of. The basketball world knew she was “hellbent on UConn,” following in the footsteps of legends under coach Geno Auriemma.
But after she and Kobe tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2020, the dream became a tribute. And that tribute hit a new emotional peak on Sunday night.
In the presser, Bueckers revealed something straight out of a movie script—her mom was staying in room 824. Yep. 8 and 24. Kobe’s numbers. And when she heard that? “God really showed himself,” she said. It was like the stars lined up just for this.
A Win for UConn and a Win for Mambacita
Let’s not forget what this UConn team just pulled off. Dismantling the two-time defending champions from South Carolina? That wasn’t just a win. That was a statement. Sarah Strong was cold-blooded. Azzi Fudd lit it up. And Bueckers? She delivered once again, adding yet another chapter to her wild ride of a college career.
But it wasn’t just about stats. Or banners. Or confetti. This one had meaning. This one had soul.
The UConn bench still remembers Gigi. Back in 2020, they draped her No. 2 jersey across the chair, flowers included. “Forever a Husky,” they called her. And after Sunday’s dub, Vanessa Bryant, the rock behind the Mamba legacy, posted a powerful tribute. She reminded the world that this moment was for Gigi too. And, you just know Kobe was somewhere up there nodding with that classic Mamba smirk.
With the WNBA Draft coming soon, Bueckers is almost certainly heading to the big leagues as the No. 1 overall pick. But before she laces up for the pros, she left one last memory in Storrs, one soaked in greatness, gratitude, and a little bit of heaven.
Because some wins are about more than basketball.