The last time Paige Bueckers played a full season of college basketball, she was the national player of the year, a superstar freshman who immediately lived up to the promise as the country’s top recruit. As the point guard, Bueckers ranked 11th nationally in total points and sixth in total assists, leading UConn to Big East regular-season and tournament titles before a trip to the Final Four.
Three years and two major knee injuries later, Bueckers is even better. It was a high bar to clear after the success of her freshman season, but she has come back from her rehab as an improved player. UConn has needed every bit of that brilliance to return to the Final Four. And it will again Friday when Bueckers will meet Caitlin Clark and Iowa.
“She spent that year getting bigger, getting stronger, getting smarter, learning how to take care of herself,” coach Geno Auriemma said. “So the same freshman Paige, sophomore Paige that took us to the Final Four, that’s not the Paige that’s here today.”
The first thing that jumps out in Bueckers’ stat line is her increased scoring. Although she is playing fewer minutes, Bueckers is taking more shots (15.5 per game) and shooting more efficiently (60.3 effective field goal percentage) from the field, despite her 3-pointer percentage…
