For months, there was a debate circulating within the women’s basketball world regarding whether UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers truly deserved to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
Some experts and fans questioned if her on-court performance this season left enough room for another name to enter the conversation — specifically, Notre Dame’s standout guard, Olivia Miles. However, as the season has progressed, any doubts about Bueckers’ status as the top prospect have all but disappeared.
Paige Bueckers’ Efficiency Sets Her Apart
Bueckers has firmly established herself as not just one of the most electrifying players in college basketball. One of the most impressive aspects of Bueckers’ game has been her remarkable efficiency. Basketball legend Rebecca Lobo provided context for just how historic Bueckers’ achievements have been.
“It’s remarkable what Paige Bueckers has done in her career. The most remarkable thing to me when it comes to her statistics, she has a 50/40/85 efficiency over the course of her career. Over the last 25 years, no other player has been a 50/40/85 for their career,” Lobo said during the broadcast of UConn’s March 22 NCAA Tournament game.
For those unfamiliar with the “50/40/85” standard, it refers to a player shooting at least 50% from the field, 40% from 3-point range, and 85% from the free-throw line. This level of efficiency is virtually unheard of in college basketball. That reinforces Bueckers’ reputation as an offensive force that makes the most of every opportunity on the court.
As one of the biggest stars in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Bueckers has embraced her leadership role with confidence. She did not deliver a jaw-dropping statistical performance in UConn’s opening-round matchup.
Leadership on the Biggest Stage
Nonetheless, her impact on the game extended far beyond the box score. In the Huskies’ dominant 103-34 victory over No. 15 seed Arkansas State, Bueckers played just 21 minutes. Well, she still managed to contribute 11 points, four assists, one rebound, two blocks, and two steals.
While these numbers may not jump off the page compared to some of her past performances, they highlight the way Bueckers affects the game in multiple ways. She does not need to be the top scorer every night to make her presence felt.
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As UConn continues its pursuit of a national title, all eyes will be on Bueckers to lead the charge. While the competition will be fierce, her ability to rise to the occasion and elevate her team could be the deciding factor in whether the Huskies cut down the nets in 2025.
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