STORRS, Conn. — Paige Bueckers looked on as her younger teammates claimed victory, finishing off an undefeated Big East season. Following UConn’s emphatic 92-57 triumph over Marquette, fans and players alike gathered around Bueckers as she was honored with her jersey number added to the Huskies of Honor. Bueckers’ No. 5 now stands among the illustrious names of past UConn greats like Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Rebecca Lobo, Sue Bird, and Kerry Bascom.
Reflecting on her journey and legacy at UConn during her final regular-season game, Bueckers expressed how she hopes to be remembered. “A person who wore the jersey with pride, loved her teammates, loved her coaching staff, and enjoyed the journey,” Bueckers shared. “I just want to be remembered for being a great teammate and a great leader.”
In the match against Marquette, Bueckers recorded 19 points, seven assists, and three steals. Her presence on the court is profound; with Bueckers in action, UConn boasts a stellar 31-1 record at Gampel Pavilion. Over her 32 games at this venue, she has averaged 18.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 steals.
Though the regular season is over, UConn prepares to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The Big East tournament will also take place at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Arena, which means this event was not a final farewell for the distinguished All-American guard.
Ahead of Bueckers’ jersey unveiling, UConn celebrated her alongside seniors Kaitlyn Chen, Azzi Fudd, and Aubrey Griffin during a heartfelt ceremony. Fudd remains undecided on whether she will enter the upcoming WNBA draft or return for another season at UConn, having only played two games in the 2023-24 season due to an injury. The talented 5-foot-11 guard is projected as a potential first-round pick in the draft.
“I need to discuss with my family and those close to me about my choices,” Fudd shared. “I believe in making a thorough pros and cons list to objectively look at the facts and clear away emotional bias.”
UConn has a history of players like Bueckers who opt to return despite being eligible for the WNBA Draft, while others choose to pursue professional careers early.
“I always believe players should be absolutely confident in their decision to leave,” UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma remarked. “I want them to be sure they’ve challenged themselves enough and feel 100% prepared for the next step. While I might offer my opinion, the decision is ultimately theirs.”
Auriemma anticipates discovering Fudd’s plans within the coming weeks. Chen boasts a solid background as a three-year starter from Princeton who transferred to UConn for her final collegiate year. Alongside freshman Sarah Strong, she was one of only two Huskies to start every game this season. Griffin, meanwhile, made her 41st career start in this game, her first for the season. In the game, Fudd contributed 12 points, Griffin added 11, and Chen scored two.
