Uconn Star Paige Bueckers to enter 2025 Wnba Draft after the NCAA tournament
By Ben Pickman, Jelani Scott and Chantel Jennings
The Star of Connecticut Paige Bueckers, long considered the alleged choice n. 1 In the Wnba draft next month, he will really enter that draft after the NCAA tournament, said a spokesman for the program on Friday.
Bueckers, 23, is in his fifth season a Uconn But it remains a year of admissibility to college. Espn commentator Rebecca Lobo He reported the news for the first time.
The news comes as Bueckers and Huskies n. 2 They prepare to play Oklahoma n. 3 in the Sweet 16 Saturday at 5:30 pm (et) in Spokane, Wash. The winner will play on Sunday against the USC n. 1 or the Kansas State.
Bueckers had been opened on the fact that this could be his last season at college.
“This is my last year to get what I came here, which is a national championship,” he said Atletico in June.
Recently, he has remained consistent in his messaging. At the beginning of this week, the Huskies and their fans celebrated Bueckers after their last game this season at Gamel Pavilion, a victory of the NCAA tournament of 91-57 in the second round on the state of the South Dakota in which Bueckers linked his high career with 34 points.
“It was a dream to play here, a dream to wear this uniform, a dream to play in this environment,” he said to the crowd. “Take only every single possibility you have and you never take it for granted.”
Dallas Wings hold choice n. 1 in the draft, which will take place on April 14, eight days after the final of the female NCAA tournament.
In theory, Bueckers has an unprecedented quantity of leverage. He could have returned to Uconn for a sixth season due to the eligibility rules of Covid-19. She is too A share partner in rivals. Although he could still use his profile to land with a favorite destination, he did not give any public indication that he would not have liked to play for wings. The way you prepare for what your neighbor is in his career is the question that is worth watching, not necessarily if it becomes a professional.
For now, Bueckers is still trying to win his first national championship with the Huskies (33-3), who have won 12 consecutive games.
Bueckers’ game in his last season in Storrs has only added to the probability that he will go to number 1. The player of the year of the year 2021 Associated Press and a three-time All-American, Bueckers has an average of 19.2 points and 4.8 assists while shooting 41.1 percent from 3 points. He also remained healthy for the second consecutive season after knee injuries limited it to 17 total games in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
While some managers have raised concerns that it may remain healthy, it is considered very much among the decision makers of the League.
“Great leader. It is incredibly in the balance. It is prepared, ready and so impressive, inside and off the pitch. A basic franchising player,” said a general manager, who was granted anonymity to share their opinion on the next class draft, Atletico.
Added another: “If it can remain healthy, I think it is an all-star level talent. It can play with or without the ball, which makes it super precious. It marks all three levels. It is large and high and long enough to survive on the defensive.
(Photo: Joe Bugley / Getty Images)
