PAIGE Bueckers is breaking NCAA records on her way to becoming the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft.
Bueckers has never lost a Big East game in her basketball career, and continued that trend this season.
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The women’s basketball star helped the No. 1-ranked UConn Huskies destroy the Creighton Bluejays in the Big East tournament championship game.
That win gave UConn its 30th conference tournament title, the most in Division I history.
It was also the school’s 12th straight tournament win.
Buckers was fantastic during the game, finishing with 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals.
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Her performance led to her becoming the first player to win Big East Tournament MVP three times.
“It’s very cool,” Bueckers said.
“It’s hard to do something that’s never been done at UConn before.
“I feel like everything’s been accomplished, so I’m grateful and blessed.
“But it’s really a team achievement, a team award, a testament to the coaching staff, my teammates, who do a whole bunch for me so I’m able to go out there and perform alongside of them.”
Bueckers has one more year of NCAA eligibility, but has already said she won’t use it.
She is almost a guarantee to be picked at No. 1 overall when the draft rolls around in April.
Bueckers averaged 19 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game this season.
“For her to be able to constantly come up with these kind of performances, time and time again, she just has that thing that those kinds of players have,” coach Geno Auriemma said of Buckers.
Bueckers’ first goal before going to the draft is taking on March Madness though.
All-WNBA first and second team
THE 10 best players in the WNBA have been selected and named to the All-WNBA first and second team.
First team:
- Caitlin Clark – Indiana Fever
- Napheesa Collier – Minnesota Lynx
- Breanna Stewart – New York Liberty
- Alyssa Thomas – Connecticut Sun
- A’ja Wilson – Las Vegas Aces
Second team:
- Kahleah Copper – Phoenix Mercury
- Sabrina Ionescu – New York Liberty
- Jonquel Jones – New York Liberty
- Arike Ogunbowale – Dallas Wings
- Nneka Ogwumike – Seattle Storm
UConn has made the final four in five of the last eight tournaments, but haven’t won the national championship since the 2015-16 season.
“There’s an emphasis on me having fun during this last postseason run, just enjoying it, just embracing it,” Bueckers said.
“I love playing with this team. I love playing at UConn. I love playing in these environments.
“So I wanted to show it more and enjoy it more, and not feel the pressure, not play with pressure, but just play with joy.”
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