Paige Bueckers’ journey to a national championship was anything but easy. When head coach Geno Auriemma first recruited her, he told her he could get her a ring. That statement stuck with Bueckers and ultimately sealed her decision to choose UConn over several other top Division I programs. But what was the road to that championship really like?
Paige Bueckers’ Journey to a National Championship
Bueckers arrived at UConn as one of the most hyped prospects in years. For Auriemma, it was familiar territory. UConn’s women’s basketball program has long been the gold standard, producing legends like Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, and Breanna Stewart.
As a freshman, Bueckers lived up to every bit of the hype. She averaged 20 points and nearly six assists per game, leading UConn to a Final Four appearance. Her stellar play earned her the Naismith College Player of the Year award, making her the first freshman in history to win it. She also took home AP Player of the Year honors.
But things got tougher in her sophomore season. Bueckers suffered an injury that kept her out for most of the year. Still, UConn held strong without their star and remained a threat in the tournament.
Her junior year brought even more adversity. A torn ACL during a pickup game forced Bueckers to take a redshirt season. Without her, UConn fell in the Sweet 16 to Ohio State, marking the program’s first time missing the Final Four since 2008.
Then came her senior season — and Bueckers came back with a vengeance. She averaged nearly 22 points, tallied a career-best 53 blocks, and added over two steals per game. UConn went undefeated in conference play and stormed into the Final Four, setting up a clash with Caitlin Clark and Iowa. The game was tight, but the Huskies fell just short, 71-69.
After that heartbreak, Bueckers announced she’d return for one more season.
In her final year as a Husky, she once again led UConn to an undefeated conference run. But a key loss to longtime rival Tennessee stood out. Many fans pointed to that game as the turning point in UConn’s season — and maybe even its motivation.
This title meant everything for UConn.
“This was one of the more emotional Final Fours and emotional national championships that I’ve been a part of since that very first time,” said UConn’s coach, Auriemma.
After back-to-back seasons riddled with brutal injuries, people started to question if the dynasty was still intact. Some fans even called for coaching changes, but the Huskies stayed the course and pushed through the chaos.
Now, they’ve added yet another championship trophy to the cabinet. And Paige Bueckers leaves UConn a national champion — and the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.