Caitlin Clark prediction proved correct as former rival Paige Bueckers’ makes her potential clear on First Night
UConn’s annual First Night event was a raucous celebration of the upcoming season, as the student body welcomed the women’s basketball team, with Paige Bueckers the clear star of the show
Caitlin Clark spoke highly of Paige last season
Like much of the basketball world, WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark – who has recently suggested a foray into a second sporting career – predicted that Paige Bueckers is set to step into superstardom and make a significant impact this season at UConn. Already a standout, Bueckers’ star power continues to rise, particularly as those unfamiliar with her game start to take notice due to the massive surge in women’s basketball viewership this season.
At UConn’s First Night event at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion, where the team is introduced to an enthusiastic crowd of students, Bueckers received the loudest reception of the night.
This year’s UConn roster is brimming with talent, featuring four promising incoming freshmen: Morgan Cheli, Jana El Alfy, Sarah Strong, and Allie Ziebell. However, the senior guard stole the show, as the entire student body stood up and cheered for the future projected No. 1 WNBA draft pick. Last season, Bueckers led the Huskies in scoring, averaging 21.9 points per game and leading the team in blocks with 1.4.
Her versatility, coupled with her senior leadership, makes her the heartbeat of this year’s UConn squad, which, according to several sportsbooks, has the third-best odds of winning the national title, reports the Mirror US.
Caitlin Clark knows just how good Paige Bueckers is (Image: Getty)
Standing at 6 feet tall, Bueckers was a celebrated five-star recruit straight from high school and crowned the top player in the 2020 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings, surpassing WNBA newcomers Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, and Clark. As these rising stars gear up for their second professional season, Bueckers is intent on extending her impressive collection of basketball honors.
Prior to Clark’s maiden success as rookie of the year and making the All-WNBA first team, she praised Bueckers ahead of a college matchup. The ex-Iowa record holder shared how “smooth” Bueckers is on the court, praising her resilience as a standout quality.
Over a difficult four-year span marred by injuries such as an ACL tear which ruled her out for the 2022-23 season, Bueckers has shown remarkable tenacity. “Her game is just so smooth. She’s fun to watch. She moves effortlessly out there like it’s just so natural,” Clark observed.
“Then she additionally works really hard at it. Paige has always been one of the most dominant players, that has never changed. She’s always been able to go up against the best.”
“The coolest thing about Paige is how resilient she is. Obviously she’s kind of been dealt a tough hand. The way she carries herself on and off the court, the way she works hard,” Clark elaborated. “None of that has changed since I’ve known her since she was in middle school, she’s always worked that same way. She’s always had that fire, she’s always been a great leader.”
