The University of Connecticut’s women’s basketball team has always been a powerhouse on the court, with a long history of incredible players and impressive national championships. This year, the team can add another accomplishment to their list: their star player has been named the National Player of the Year.
Paige Bueckers, a freshman guard for UConn, was announced as the winner of the prestigious award on April 2nd. She is the first freshman to ever win the award, and did so with an impressive season that included leading the team to a record of 28-2 and a spot in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.
Bueckers’ stats from the season are certainly impressive. She averaged 20 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game. Additionally, she had an incredible 67 steals on the season, showcasing her defensive prowess as well. Even more impressively, she did all of this as a true freshman, meaning this could just be the beginning of a long and illustrious career for her.
But statistics alone don’t make an award-winning player. Bueckers’ coaches and teammates are quick to sing her praises for her attitude, work ethic, and leadership on and off the court. UConn head coach Geno Auriemma has called her a “once-in-a-generation type player,” noting that “the way she plays the game, the way she leads, the way she competes, it’s hard to compare her to anyone.”
Bueckers’ own words and actions throughout the season also showcase her humble and team-focused mentality. Following a tough loss to Arkansas in the postseason, she tweeted, “I want to say thank you to all UConn fans for your unwavering support this season. We truly couldn’t have done it without you. Still hurts right now but will find a way to get better and come back stronger next year for our seniors.”
All of these qualities make Bueckers not only a great player, but a great representative of UConn’s women’s basketball program. The fact that she accomplished all of this as a freshman only sets the stage for what could be an even more impressive career to come.
Bueckers joins a long list of UConn players who have been named National Player of the Year, including legends like Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart. But this win is especially sweet as it comes during a season that has been so tumultuous due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all of the challenges and uncertainties, Bueckers and her fellow student-athletes were able to persevere and bring pride to their school.
As UConn fans and women’s basketball enthusiasts look towards next season, there is no doubt that Paige Bueckers will be a force to be reckoned with once again. But for now, we can celebrate her incredible achievement as the National Player of the Year and look forward to watching her continue to make history on the court.