The University of Connecticut women’s basketball team has a long-standing reputation for producing some of the best players in the game. Over the years, the team has won numerous national championships and has been home to some of the most talented athletes to ever play college basketball. However, this season, UConn sophomore Paige Bueckers has made history by breaking an NCAA record that has stood for more than two decades.
On February 27, 2021, Bueckers became the first player in NCAA history to record three consecutive games with at least 30 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. She accomplished this feat in a game against the Georgetown Hoyas, where she finished with 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. In the two previous games, Bueckers tallied 31 points, 6 rebounds, and 11 assists against the Villanova Wildcats, and 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists against the St. John’s Red Storm.
Bueckers’ record-breaking performances have garnered attention from basketball fans and media outlets across the country. The 5-foot-11 guard from Minnesota has been a standout player since high school, earning numerous accolades and awards, including the Naismith High School Player of the Year and Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year awards in 2020.
Despite her impressive high school career, Bueckers’ transition to college basketball has been seamless. In her first season at UConn, she has quickly become a force to be reckoned with, averaging 20.3 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. Her dynamic playmaking abilities have helped lead the Huskies to a 21-1 record and a No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25 poll.
Bueckers’ record-breaking performances are a testament to her talent and hard work, but they also reflect the dominance of UConn’s women’s basketball program. Head coach Geno Auriemma has built a winning culture at UConn, consistently recruiting some of the best players in the country and molding them into champions. Bueckers is just the latest in a long line of talented Huskies players who have gone on to have successful careers in the WNBA and beyond.
As UConn continues its march towards another national championship this season, Bueckers will undoubtedly be a key player to watch. Her record-breaking performances have already cemented her place in NCAA history, and fans can expect to see more great things from her in the years to come.