Paige Bueckers is one of the most well-known stars in women’s college basketball. The UConn guard has already won the Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy, AP Player of the Year, USBWA player, and Freshman of the Year.
From ACL Tear to Now, Here is Paige Bueckers Injury Timeline
After a successful Freshman campaign, Bueckers had already earned national notoriety, raising expectations for her Sophomore year. However, just six games into the season, she suffered a tibial plateau fracture and lateral meniscus tear. Needing to be surgically repaired, she would be out for an extended period of time.
When she returned three months later, Bueckers made strides in rediscovering her form and comfortability on the court. She averaged 11.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. During the Huskies’ NCAA tournament run to the National Championship, she progressed even further, dropping 15.2 points per game.
Back to full health for her Junior season, the star guard had high expectations for herself and UConn, which was coming off a loss in the National Championship game. However, before the season even started, she suffered a torn ACL while playing pickup basketball at the Werth Champions Center.
“I felt a pop. I’m not really sure if I heard it, but I felt it for sure — I knew something was wrong.”
Coach Geno Auriemma reflected on the injury to his star after UConn announced Buecker would miss the entire 2022-2023 season;
“We’re all devastated for Paige. She’s worked really hard to get stronger and healthier this offseason — Paige is obviously an amazing basketball player, but she’s a better person and teammate, and it’s really unfortunate that this has happened to her. We’ll miss her presence on the court, but she’ll do everything she can to still lead and help her teammates this season. Our program will support Paige through her healing process to help her come back better and stronger.”
With this roadblock and a long journey ahead, Bueckers continued to keep the faith, refusing to allow her injury to define her; “I want to be the type of player that I was before, pre-injury, but better — I have those expectations for myself, so that’s where I want to be.”
After 369 days of hard work and patience, she was officially cleared.
With a drive and motivation to be better, Coach Auriemma was impressed at how committed and improved Bueckers was.
“This is the most time she has spent working on her body, her mind, you know, just taking care of herself — I think she’s way ahead and maybe that’s what the year off did. It showed her if you want a long career, this is how you’re going to have to go about it from here on out. Injuries or no injuries, it doesn’t matter.”
In her first game back from injury, she recorded 8 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 21 minutes against Dayton.
“In my opinion it was a bad game for me… but I’m grateful to have a bad game right now — Last year, sitting on the bench, I would have done anything just to be out there and get yelled at.”
The 2024-2025 season has been a ride for Bueckers. So far, she’s averaged 18.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. She was nominated for an ESPY for Best Comeback Athlete and won Big East Player of the Year.
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Bueckers just played in her final home game at UConn. In a standout performance, she tied her career high of 34 points on 14 of 21 shooting, while adding 4 assists, 4 steals and 3 boards. She became the first player in college basketball, WNBA and NBA history to shoot 50-40-90 while leading the country in assist to turnover ratio.
“I’m just grateful for it all… The support here is second to none. I just love playing here, I love wearing this jersey, we all love wearing this jersey, and it’s just an honor to play here.”
The Huskies face Oklahoma on Saturday in the Sweet Sixteen.
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