Paige Bueckers Shines as UConn Eyes National Title in Final Four

TAMPA, Fla. — In a pivotal moment of her college basketball career, Paige Bueckers and the second-seeded UConn Huskies are poised to capture their first national championship in nearly a decade. Having reached the Final Four, they will face top-seeded UCLA in a highly anticipated semifinal matchup on Friday night.

Despite being dubbed underdogs, UConn (35-3) is known for their historical success, having not won the national title since 2016. Bueckers, the All-American senior guard and expected No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft, is eager to leave her mark on the program known for its storied legacy.

“Obviously, there are expectations here, and anything less than a national championship is really a disappointment,” Bueckers stated, highlighting the immense pressure that comes with playing for UConn. “It’s a privilege to play under the best coaching staff and in the best program, and I’m just extremely grateful.”

In their journey to the Final Four, the Huskies delivered an impressive performance against USC, where Bueckers scored 31 points, solidifying her reputation as one of the most formidable players in women’s college basketball.

“When you have all that attention, there’s a tendency to wonder, ‘What if I can’t live up to it?’” said UConn coach Geno Auriemma. “But Paige? She never does. She thrives under pressure.”

Bueckers has amassed a following of 2.2 million Instagram followers, further accentuating her status as a celebrity athlete. Her integral role includes not just scoring but also leading her teammates with poise and resilience. According to her teammate and friend, Azzi Fudd, “You never see her waver; she convinces herself she’s still the best even after tough games.”

Her high school coach, Brian Cosgriff, and others have recognized Bueckers’ remarkable talent since her middle school days, indicating that her potential was evident from an early age. “She came off the bench and hit eight 3s in a row for us to win the game,” Cosgriff recalled, emphasizing her relentless determination and command on the court.

As the tournament progresses, Bueckers is aware of the expectations surrounding her performance. “This is exactly what I wanted my basketball career to be,” she said, reflecting on the culminative pressures of performing at this level.

Off the court, she utilizes various tactics to manage stress, which include reading fiction, enjoying popular word games like Wordle, and occasionally taking a break from social media. “For every 500 people that love you, there’s going to be five that hate you,” Bueckers said, emphasizing the importance of focusing on supportive voices.

Auriemma noted that Bueckers stands out among other collegiate athletes for her ability to navigate the intersection of talent and fame, especially in today’s social media landscape. He draws parallels between her and former UConn great Diana Taurasi, highlighting shared traits of leadership and resilience.

With the stakes higher than ever, Bueckers is determined to solidify her legacy within UConn basketball. “I want to be remembered as a great teammate, a great leader, and someone who gave everything every time I stepped on the floor,” she concluded.