In women’s college basketball, few names command as much attention as Paige Bueckers. As the 2025 WNBA Draft approaches, many analysts have penciled her in as the likely No. 1 overall pick. However, for Bueckers, one goal supersedes all others—winning a national championship before she bids farewell to her collegiate career.
Paige Bueckers’ Determination for a National Title
Last night, the UConn Huskies faced off against the Marquette Golden Eagles in Bueckers’s final home game. The Huskies star guard was honored before the game when she was inducted into the Huskies of Honor.
A video circulating on social media captured the emotional weight of this moment. A post on X (formerly Twitter) featured footage of Bueckers and her teammates.
Paige Bueckers is inducted into the Huskies of Honor on her Senior Day 💙 pic.twitter.com/QF27rQpAHE
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 2, 2025
The sentiment resonated with fans who have followed Bueckers’ journey, especially considering her setbacks.
When asked about her decision to delay entering the WNBA Draft last year and take another shot at the NCAA title, Bueckers did not hesitate to express the importance of this opportunity.
“Yeah, I don’t even think I can put into words what it would mean, but it would mean everything,” Bueckers said.
“Obviously, everything that I’ve been through, me coming back, a lot of my teammates coming back from injury, all the adversity, all the hardships—it would definitely mean everything to capitalize on what we came here for.”
The adversity she refers to is no exaggeration. Injuries have been a recurring theme throughout her collegiate career, sidelining her for the entirety of the 2022–23 season. This has also limited her availability in other stretches. But each time she has been knocked down, she has come back stronger, displaying a level of perseverance that has only solidified her legacy at UConn.
Bueckers’ Elite Play Keeps Her at the Top of Draft Boards
Despite the injuries, Bueckers has remained one of the most dominant players in the country. Currently, she is averaging 18.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting an impressive 53.3% from the field.
Since returning from a minor knee injury in January, she has elevated her game even further, particularly in her playmaking, where she now averages 6.4 assists per contest.
Her ability to dictate the game’s tempo, make critical decisions under pressure, and score efficiently has kept her firmly in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft. Bueckers has the rare ability to take over games single-handedly, making her an enticing prospect for any franchise looking for a cornerstone player.
KEEP READING: Paige Bueckers Reveals What Diana Taurasi Said After Breaking UConn Record
As the NCAA Tournament looms, Bueckers has one final chance to showcase her championship mettle on college basketball’s biggest stage. With UConn ranked No. 5 and other powerhouse programs like Notre Dame sitting at No. 3, the race for the national championship is wide open.
March Madness will provide the ultimate proving ground, and all eyes will be on Bueckers as she attempts to lead her team to glory. Whether or not she achieves her ultimate goal, one thing is certain—she has already solidified her place as one of the most electrifying players ever to grace the college basketball stage.
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