After years of setbacks, injuries, and heartbreaks – the UConn Huskies Women’s Basketball has finally won the NCAA title. This past Sunday, UConn demolished South Carolina 82 – 59. An impressive feat considering South Carolina was the previous champion. It was gratifying, as UConn has not reached a title game since 2016, so to see the prestige program win its 12th national title was incredible. Happiness and relief pervaded among the organization, but a sense of sadness lingered.
Paige Bueckers, the former USBWA National Player of the Year, had an incredible performance in the finals. With 17 points, 3 assists, and 6 rebounds, the star guard capped off her final moment. She ended UConn’s 9 year title drought and still had a lengthy resume of achievements to her name. Slowed by the injuries, Paige Buckets was fortunately healthy this year and continued her prolific scoring ability during that championship season. That being said, after the long yet amazing college basketball journey – where does she go next?
In good news, Bueckers has declared for the WNBA Draft, which will be happening on April 14th, Monday at 7:30 PM ET, ESPN. It is said by many pundits that she’ll go No. 1 in the draft. Not surprising given her championship performance and elite college career.
Paige is a selective, efficient scorer. She can be reserved, but she can also dial it up when the game calls for it. She can score all 3 levels, but her greatest aspect is her role as the pick and roll operator. She can distribute the ball and play with defenders’ schemes of stopping, allowing her teammates to be open. She is also a great defender, specifically in the paint, as she at one point led the league with 3.5 steals and blocked 3% of opponents 2-point attempts, very impressive for a guard at 5”11.
Despite the qualities, it’s highly possible that the WNBA will utilize her offensive abilities more, so she won’t be able to commit to defense as consistently.
Overall, the one team that is linked to her in the draft is the Dallas Wings. A team that desperately needs a sense of direction and franchise upside. Paige Bueckers is filled with that potential and freshness. Although the Connecticut Suns would be a better team personally for UConn, this is all about and fit at the end of the day. And if the Wings can properly attend to Paige Buckers’ excellence, then the sky’s the limit.
