6 Louisville on Sunday and a rematch at No. [4], She is a Christian and attributes her confidence and success on the basketball court to God. [5][6][7] Bueckers became friends with future National Basketball Association (NBA) player Jalen Suggs while in elementary school. [87] Bueckers shared two major NCAA Division I freshman of the year awards with Caitlin Clark of Iowathe Tamika Catchings Award, presented by the USBWA,[88] and the WBCA Freshman of the Year award. In fact, UConn should have everyone except Bueckers available to play including Caroline Ducharme, who took a shot to the head late in the win over Creighton and didnt return for just the second time since November. Hopkins finished with a 283 record and a runner-up finish at the Class4A state tournament,[a] where Bueckers was named to the All-Tournament Team. The Huskies walked away with a 91-87 win after surviving double overtime -- the first time ever in an Elite Eight game -- against the No. UConn has been an established powerhouse for a long while now with 11 national championships, but until earlier this year, the Huskies hadn't reached the title game since 2016. "Its time we stopped blaming the injuries, stop blaming fatigue, stop blaming tired," Auriemma said after UConn beat Xavier by nine. [85][86] She was the first freshman to win the Nancy Lieberman Award as the top point guard in the nation. * Most laps led. She had 22 points, four rebounds and four assists in a win over Notre Dame. Schedule Baseball: Roster Baseball: News Basketball Basketball: Twitter Basketball: Instagram Basketball: Schedule Basketball: . No. [65][91][93][94], Bueckers was named to the university's dean's list her freshman year, which required a GPA of at least 3.72, and was involved in social justice causes. [138] An adept passer and ball handler,[139] Bueckers has described herself as a "pass-first" player. In other injury news, Dorka Juhsz will return from a foot injury and Geno Auriemma explained why he missed the Creighton game. [6] The first practice for the race had rained out and she had one 90 minute practice to find speed. She also ranks third in the Big East with 2.5 steals per game. [7] She qualified 33rd fastest, about 1/10 second behind the 32nd final spot. UConn had to beat Creighton on Wednesday without its head coach after Auriemma stayed back in the locker room due to a non-COVID illness. Still, UConn will be without its best player for a long stretch of the season. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. "I like our chances," Auriemma said after the game. UConn star Paige Bueckers appeared to suffer a scary non-contact injury on Sunday during the Huskies' win over Notre Dame. [99] Bueckers entered her sophomore season as a unanimous selection for both Big East Preseason Player of the Year and the AP preseason All-America team. [72] In her next game, Bueckers recorded 31 points, six steals and five assists, scoring her team's final 13 points, in a 6359 overtime win over South Carolina, the number one team in the AP Poll. [74] After leading UConn to the Big East regular-season title, she was named Big East Player of the Year and unanimous Big East Freshman of the Year, joining Maya Moore as the only players to win both awards in the same season. Every decision made will prioritize whats best for Paige and her career. A lot has happened over the past year things that could bring people down, Bueckers said. Name one player that has taken a team this young to where we are today, UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. Connecticut - Northeast 10 Athletics Paige Decker #21 G So. [29], As a junior on February 1, 2019, Bueckers scored a career-high 43 points in a 6966 win over Wayzata High School and surpassed 2,000 career points. To get a reward and find something positive in these times, you cherish them. In March 2021, analyst Monica McNutt touted Bueckers as "arguably one of the best playmakers in the game". [68] On January 21, 2021, she made a three-pointer with 25 seconds left to help defeat rival Tennessee, 6761, despite shooting 3-of-14 from the field for a season-low nine points. [49] She was named Gatorade Female High School Athlete of the Year,[18] Gatorade National Player of the Year,[50] Naismith Prep Player of the Year,[51] Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year,[52] and Minnesota Miss Basketball. I mean, that could happen anytime. Connecticut gp 29 pts/g 3.6 fg % 37.5 3pt % 28.0 ft % 75.0 reb/g 3.6 a/g 1.6 Player Profile Game Log Split Stats 25 Tennessee", "Paige Bueckers to miss UConn women's game vs. Georgetown with ankle injury; Anna Makurat out indefinitely", "Paige Bueckers' career-high 32 points carry UConn women over St. John's with Christyn Williams sidelined", "Bueckers Scores 30 and Williams Adds 18 as Huskies Win at Marquette, 8758", "Paige Bueckers takes over to deliver No. Check out Paige Decker's high school sports timeline including game updates while playing basketball at Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot High School from 2022 through this year. UConn star Paige Bueckers appeared to suffer a scary non-contact injury on Sunday during the Huskies win over Notre Dame. Bueckers was averaging 21.2 points, 6.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds a game before her injury. Media at the game described the crowd as going silent. She started 29 games and averaged 20 points and 4.9 rebounds, shooting 52.4% from the field and 46.4% from 3-point range. But. [21] That year, she assumed a more important role than in her eighth-grade season and became one of the team's leading scorers and passers. [106] On December 13, Bueckers underwent surgery to repair the fracture and a previously undisclosed lateral meniscus tear. [109][110], Bueckers was cleared to return against St. John's on February 25, 2022. Unless, of course, her Century volleyball team finishes as state champion, which she acknowledges is a long shot. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. ", "Hopkins 8th grader Paige Bueckers attracts attention from colleges and Lynx coach", "Timeout! UConn was up 18 points with about 39 seconds remaining in the game when her leg appeared to buckle while she was bringing up the ball. Without Nelson-Odada, a 6-foot-5 forward, the team loses its leader in shooting percentage (59.5%) and rebounding (7.5 per game) from a season ago. The sophomore could potentially return by late January or early February. Women's College Basketball Paige Bueckers injury updates Paige Bueckers meeting with doctors to determine next steps in recovery In other injury news, Dorka Juhsz will return from a foot. 24 Notre Dame, and Bueckers' 22-point performance led the way. [90] Bueckers recorded 168 assists, the most by a freshman in program history, despite a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bueckers had her sights set on a national championship this coming season, telling Bleacher Report that it was the only thing that would make it a success. [133] Bueckers averaged 6.5 points per game, second-highest on the team, as the United States lost to Brazil in the quarterfinals and finished in fifth place. [120] As a sophomore, she averaged 14.6 points, four rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Supreme Court offers mixed response in NCAA compensation c Knicks-Celtics game shows what NBA is missing, NHL, players union failing in this important area, MLB's rule changes will only bring needless new degree of confusion, The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast, The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast, Gangs All Here: A NY Jets Football Podcast, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval have awkward moment amid cheating scandal, Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave. [123] While sidelined, she remained closely involved with the team, providing leadership and support for players. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Bueckers was informed she won the award by coach Geno Auriemma during a team video session on Monday. Market data provided by Factset. [172] On July 13, 2021, she filed for a trademark on the nickname for use on athletic apparel, such as shirts, pants, jackets, footwear, hats and uniforms. What does that mean in terms of going forward?, Not like shell play in the Villanova game Wednesday night, he added later. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Chasing Perfection: Is it time to be worried about UConn? Were all devastated for Paige, head coach Geno Auriemma said in a statement. She would later collapse in front of the Huskies bench and she had to be helped off the court. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Auriemma hinted that the sophomore could still be weeks away. UConn will likely not cruise through next season, but Auriemma's record speaks for itself, so the Huskies shouldn't be counted out any time soon. So I didnt want to be carried out on a stretcher, Auriemma quipped. She has raced in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Xfinity Series and was a 2014 NASCAR Drive for Diversity participant. [170][171], Bueckers' scoring success has earned her the nickname "Paige Buckets". It wasn't how UConn wanted to wrap up its campaign, but the sky was the limit for the program because of what Bueckers accomplished as a freshman and what she could be capable of with another year of experience under her belt. [4] Then she moved up to racing in Super Late Models. 1 UConn", "Auriemma: UConn women's players are 'smart,' 'socially conscious', "For UConn's Paige Bueckers, racism is personal", "UConn's Bueckers marches for her little brother's future", "Star UConn guard Paige Bueckers uses ESPYS speech to honor Black women", "UConn women's basketball star Paige Bueckers signs with Wasserman Media Group as NIL client", "A six-figure payday? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, It was nothing to be ashamed of because the Gamecocks were -- and still are -- an outstanding team. [92] Analysts have considered Bueckers' freshman season to be among the best in UConn and NCAA history. The UConn women's basketball team was dealt a sizable blow on Wednesday. 7 in the Associated Press poll, has 16 games before Feb. 9, including dates with No. [114] On March 28, at the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, Bueckers led her team to a 9187 double-overtime win over top-seeded NC State, as UConn reached its 14th consecutive Final Four. SAN ANTONIO - UConn women's basketball freshman Paige Bueckers was selected as the 2021 AP Player of the Year, as announced by the Associated Press Wednesday. We dont have anybody for the first time other than Paige in a long time thats not available, Auriemma said. [5][11] She grew up supporting the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA. 20 Providence. "We have Paige Bueckers and they don't," she said. [163] The second deal was with Gatorade, who signed her as its first college athlete. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. The Huskies are already shorthanded with Aubrey Griffin (ankle, leg, back) and Azzi Fudd (foot) out. [136], Bueckers stands 5feet 11inches (1.80m) and plays the point guard position. Nevertheless, it was a good learning experience for UConn. Odds & lines subject to change. She signed with Wasserman as a name, image and likeness (NIL) client in August 2021, about one month after the NCAA allowed student-athletes to be compensated for the use of their NIL. She's Paving Its Future", "Even UConn legends awed by Paige Bueckers' 'ridiculous' freshman season", "UConn's Williams Named Big East Preseason Player of the Year", "Behind dazzling debut from Paige Bueckers, UConn women dominate UMass Lowell, 79-23, in season opener", "Bueckers steps up in the clutch, No. For other uses, see, USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year, Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year, USBWA Women's National Player of the Year, 2017 FIBA Under-16 Women's Americas Championship, 2019 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup, allowed student-athletes to be compensated, FIBA Under-19 World Cup All-Tournament Team, "Paige Bueckers (USA)'s profile FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2019", "Something special from the get-go: Paige Bueckers, Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year", "For Hopkins' basketball phenom Paige Bueckers, 'The sky is the limit', "Paige Bueckers Is the Future of Basketball", "Gonzaga's Jalen Suggs, UConn's Paige Bueckers and the friendship that fuels March Madness", "Paige Bueckers, Chet Holmgren pulled up to watch Jalen Suggs in Las Vegas", "Hopkins star Paige Bueckers can go anywhere maybe even to the Gophers", "Bueckers: Balling before social media, the UConn legacy, learning from Taurasi and Irving", "UConn's Paige Bueckers facing an idol in Battle 4 Atlantis opener, Minnesota coach Lindsay Whalen", "Can this one super-prospect revive the greatest dynasty in sports? ET, FOX. Italics Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. 3 UConn holds off No. [27] Bueckers was also recognized as Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year for athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character. competed in sixmeets with nine top 10 finishes. Connecticut's Paige Bueckers steals the ball from Notre Dame's Sonia Citron on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Storrs, Connecticut. National championship, thats it, she said. [3] Sue Decker, Paige's aunt, introduced Danica Patrick's parents. "Provided we don't have to navigate a season like we did this year knock on wood if we stay healthy, I expect to be back here next year.". [22] As a freshman, Bueckers averaged 20.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 4.1 assists per game, earning All-Metro first team honors from the Star Tribune. The national player of the year in womens basketball last season as a freshman, she had an anterior tibial plateau fracture and lateral meniscus tear repaired. Preview: No. [2] When Natalie was 9 years old, Chuck bought her a kart and he bought one for Paige too. Star guard and former National Player of the Year Paige Bueckers will miss the entire 2022-23 season due to a torn ACL in . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. [148], She has hosted a charity basketball clinic called "Buckets with Bueckers" for young athletes in Minnesota and Montana. [173], "Bueckers" redirects here. Paige DeckerSprints / Jumps - Career Summary | Career Results 2021-22: Outdoor: competed in four meets with three top 10 finishes. Working with the nonprofit branch of Chegg, she partnered with hunger relief company Goodr to host a free pop-up grocery market in Minneapolis to address food insecurity among college students. That usually comes a bit later for most players, but she's got it at such a young age. [5] She joined the TUNDRA Super Late Model Tour in 2013. With just seconds left in the game, Bueckers was dribbling up the court, stumbled and took an awkward fall. [37] Toward the end of the season, she suffered from a stress reaction in her right leg due to overuse. UConns star guard became the first freshman ever to win The Associated Press womens basketball player of the year award Wednesday. UConns regular season ends Feb. 27, with the Big East and N.C.A.A. Chasing Perfection: Is it time to be worried about UConn? Join Facebook to connect with Paige Decker and others you may know. [108] The team's winning streaks of 240 games against unranked teams and 169 games against conference opponents ended in losses to Georgia Tech and Villanova, respectively. 1 South Carolina on February 8, 2021[67], On December 12, 2020, Bueckers made her collegiate debut for UConn, recording 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists and five steals in a 7923 win over UMass Lowell. [16] On April 1, 2019, Bueckers announced her commitment to University of Connecticut. UConn earned its 14th consecutive Final Four trip and eventually made it to the 2022 women's national championship game against South Carolina. Bracketology: Huskies stock rising after dispatching Providence, UConn mens hockey survives Alaska Anchorage in overtime, 4-3, Takeaways: Huskies offense shines in beatdown of No. Getty Images Former UConn greats Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart both won the award as sophomores. [69] Late in the game, Bueckers sprained her ankle, causing her to miss the next contest against Georgetown. 74 Chevrolet for owner/driver Mike Harmon, but was one of four teams that failed to qualify. Bueckers went down with 38.5 seconds left in UConns 73-54 win over Notre Dame on Sunday. In her first season at UConn, Bueckers was a unanimous first-team All-American and became the first freshman to earn a major national women's college player of the year award, winning all four for which she was eligible. She passed peacefully in bed at home in Spokan [155][156][157] On April 4, 2022, her Instagram account reached one million followers,[158] making her reportedly the first women's college basketball player to achieve the mark. "The first thing that goes through your mind is the worst thing," Auriemma said. 2 team in the nation and improved to 5-1 with the win over No. Decker started her racing career in snowmobiles as a 3-year-old. Her strong play helped propel UConn to the Final Four, but it wasnt enough to defeat Arizona. BRIDGEPORT For weeks before Paige Bueckers pulled the Huskies further into a historic run and back to where everything began her program's dynasty, her own legacy all anyone orbiting the UConn women's basketball world grew to understand was that she wasn't quite right and that was OK.. 2 at the time, grabbed a 73-54 victory against No. 5 . [6] She has NASCAR certification to run short tracks in the Truck Series only; her goal is to race in the Xfinity Series. [27] Bueckers helped Hopkins to a 284 record but suffered her third straight loss at the Class4A state title game, despite leading all scorers with 37 points. This incoming class includes Ayanna Patterson and Ice Brady, who rank fourth and fifth, respectively, among ESPN's 2022 prospects. Bueckers initially suffered the non-contact injury in the final minute of UConns win over Notre Dame on Dec. 5. She came off the bench for the first time in her career and scored eight points, playing only 13 minutes due to a minutes restriction, in a 9338 victory.