Getty Picture / Lance King
Earlier than there was Caitlin Clark main the highschool class of 2020, there was Paige Bueckers.
The UConn star burst onto the scene as a real freshman all the best way again within the 2020-2021 season. Whereas Caitlin Clark was taking part in distinctive basketball in Iowa Metropolis herself, Paige Bueckers was killing it in Storrs.
The Minneapolis-area native led UConn all the best way to the Closing 4 as a freshman, regardless of it being one of many least spectacular Husky rosters in current reminiscence. Not solely did Paige Bueckers make them the Closing 4, however she was named Nationwide Participant of the Yr by most of the prestigious retailers.
Merely put, she was an all-around drive. Bueckers averaged 20.0 factors, 5.8 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per sport with 52/46/87 splits. Yeah, that’s ridiculous.
However, ankle surgical procedure quickly after the tip of that freshman yr slowed her down as a sophomore. Nonetheless, she was an All-American and led UConn to the nationwide title sport with some really heroic performances within the NCAA Event to will the Huskies there.
After lacking all of final season with a torn ACL, Bueckers has as soon as once more been one of many nation’s finest gamers. She’s averaging practically an identical numbers to her freshman yr, whereas carrying a UConn workforce decimated by accidents. They’re presently 22-5, and within the prime 15. That’s lower than the usual of Geno Auriemma’s program, however that’s no fault of Bueckers.
Along with her COVID yr, in addition to a medical redshirt, she nonetheless has two years of eligibility if she needs them. However, she additionally may go professional and enter the WNBA Draft, the place she can be an extremely excessive decide.
She appears to have made up her thoughts, and shall be staying at UConn for subsequent yr.
I assume UConn will load up and make a run at a nationwide title subsequent yr, probably to ship Geno Auriemma off as a champion. Who is aware of, perhaps Paige Bueckers could lead on UConn on a miracle run and win all of it this yr. However, it really doesn’t appear as if UConn is nice sufficient this yr.
Iowa’ Caitlin Clark has an analogous option to make. She has one yr of eligibility left, and has not resolve if she needed to make use of it.
