Paige Bueckers got candid about her relationship with UConn coach Geno Auriemma following the Huskies’ national championship win earlier this year.
Bueckers secured her first national title on April 6 when her UConn squad defeated reigning national champion South Carolina. In a postgame interview with ESPN, the star guard opened up about what Auriemma said to her following the win.
“He told me he loved me and I told him I hated him. … Nah, I love that man like more than words can describe,” Bueckers said.
“He told me he loved me and I told him I hated him. … Nah, I love that man like more than words can describe.”
—Paige Bueckers on what Geno Auriemma means to her 😅 pic.twitter.com/p6Y56P2qEP
— ESPN (@espn) April 6, 2025
Bueckers spent the entirety of her college career playing under Auriemma, who molded her into a star. In her senior season, Bueckers led the Huskies in scoring (19.9 ppg) and assists (4.6 apg). Further, with 4.4 rpg and 2.1 spg, she helped lead her team to its first national championship in a decade.
Bueckers achieved significant success in her college career and highlighted her gratitude toward Auriemma for helping make it happen.
Paige Bueckers praised by former UConn teammate
Paige Bueckers’ days at UConn may be behind her, but she continues to have the support of her former teammates as she makes her mark on the WNBA. Huskies guard Caroline Ducharme hyped up Bueckers during a recent Dallas Wings game.
Ducharme appeared on an episode of the documentary series, “Husky Life” posted to YouTube on Saturday. She watched Bueckers on the court for Dallas and reflected on her friendship with the former UConn star, their time as teammates and Bueckers’ success on the professional stage.
“I was teammates with Paige for four years … my freshman year all the way up to last year,” Ducharme said. “It’s really cool to see her at this level. I mean, we’ve been friends since high school. So to be able to see all the success she’s having — there’s nobody more deserving.” (3:48)
Ducharme made it clear that her fellow Huskies teammates are also rooting for Bueckers.
“We’re just glad we can come, we can support her,” Ducharme said. “We’re so proud of her, but we miss her.”
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