Paige Bueckers Plans to Enter WNBA After UConn Season
Paige Bueckers plans for her next season with Connecticut to be her last. The Huskies star guard met with the media in Storrs and stated it is her intention this will be her final year in college. Bueckers did make sure to add that one can never account for what may happen when addressing her likely move to the WNBA.
“I’ve learned to not speak on the future, you never know what could happen. But as of now, that’s the plan.”
Paige also spoke on her leadership role with the team given former teammates Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl have already moved on to pros.
Paige Bueckers on how she’s been leading the UConn women during summer training in the absence of Nika Muhl and Aaliyah Edwards pic.twitter.com/2cra43Skp1
— Lori Riley (@lrileysports) June 28, 2024
"I feel like I don't have Nika, I don't have Aaliyah, so it's really all on me. So it's mostly my responsibility." Bueckers emphasized that she is taking on the extra burden with pride and plans to teach, communicate, and lead by example out on the floor.
UConn made the Final Four a season ago falling to Caitlin Clark and Iowa. Of course Geno Auriemma's program has plenty of pedigree and the expectations will be for Paige and company to be looking to cut down the nets.
Bueckers averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists for the Huskies last year. She is considered a favorite to be the top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Though, just like it will be for the National Championship, the competition for that selection could be fierce. Especially with Kiki Iriafen now playing alongside JuJu Watkins at USC.
ROBIN LUNDBERG
Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!