“It just means a whole lot to me for me to be able to be there for my team, especially when they are counting on me to hit those shots,” Bueckers explained. UConn freshman Paige Bueckers (center) helped the Huskies nip top-ranked South Carolina in Storrs. Former UConn star and now ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo said that may be one reason those players accept her has a leader, despite her youth. She understands what the other team is doing, when they are switching on screens or going underneath them. She said she enjoys being challenged, and knows that is what her 66-year-old coach is doing when he gets on her in practice, calling her a “walking turnover” or asking if she plans to hit any shots that day. She also played soccer and baseball (she liked that better than softball), where her dad said she excelled as a pitcher, catcher and shortstop with extraordinary hand-eye coordination. The accolades keep rolling in for Paige Bueckers. 652k Followers, 697 Following, 58 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Paige (@paigebueckers) 1 and No. The Huskies' newest freshman sensation, Paige Bueckers, is off to a record … Individual donations are behind the clarity in coverage from our reporters across the state, stories that connect us, and conversations that provide perspectives. Bueckers deflects praise, instead crediting her teammates, coaches and a deep faith in God for her success. 652k Followers, 697 Following, 58 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Paige (@paigebueckers) Paige Bueckers scored 31 points as No. Eighteen gams into her college career at the top women's program of all time, Bueckers has already set records. "I'm just trying to prove him wrong and make him be quiet sometimes," she said. "You have to take it, swallow it and get better from it.". 2, but ultimately, it came down to one player. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks. Cash. She understands what the other team is doing, when they are switching on screens or going underneath them. “Every hour of every single day, I always wanted to have a basketball in my hand,” she said. She got a lethal combo, that’s for sure.”. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. By Ricky O'Donnell Feb 9, 2021, 11:56am EST David Butler II / USA Today / Pool. When she wasn’t there or in a nearby park shooting, she was in her room, working on her form or jumping up against a wall trying to improve her vertical leap, she said. Paige asked what that meant and Bob Bueckers explained that Bryant played his best when his team needed him the most. "I just wanted to be super good at it because I loved it so much and that’s just what I did all the time was play basketball.". We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. 1 South Carolina. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. He recalls his daughter spending hours practicing her dribbling in the community garage under her family’s condominium in suburban Minneapolis. Market data provided by Factset. Also absent is sophomore Anna Makurat. The coach said he has been impressed by the way his freshman star studies the game. 2 UConn to a 63-59 overtime victory Monday over top-ranked South Carolina. Bueckers gave Slam the most realistic description of her game to date: “I’ve got a particular way of carrying myself. Clark shares the weekly award with UConn’s, Class of 2020 top recruit, Paige Bueckers. PAIGE BUECKERS ð ¥First player in UConn history with 3 straight 30-point games. or redistributed. “She is blessed with not only talent, but a mind for the game, confidence and athleticism. facebook twitter reddit link It was a matchup between No. Bueckers and Auriemma also seem to understand each other. Paige Bueckers celebrates her game-winning three-pointer to knock off the No. “I just wanted to be super good at it because I loved it so much and that’s just what I did all the time was play basketball.". Paige Bueckers The UConn bias is real. “The whole time, she's seeing things that others don't see,” Lobo said. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "The whole time, she's seeing things that others don't see," Lobo said. Paige Bueckers in her element ESPN ranked her as the number one player in 2020. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. "Because if I don't, we lose.". Paige Bueckers has lived up to the hype as a true freshman, and her legend continues to grow. She leads the nation in 3-point shooting, hitting just under 56% of her attempts and is UConn's leader in scoring (21.1 points per game), minutes played (36.5), assists (100) and steals (40). Market data provided by Factset. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Bueckers has heard the talk that she would be an WNBA lottery pick as soon as she is eligible. Boston went directly to Liv, who took a dribble, turned and passed back to Bueckers behind the arc. “She’s that player that comes along that people talk about — ‘Hey did you see that kid from Connecticut?’ She’s that kid.”. “Because if I don't, we lose.”. Paige Bueckers was about 7, sitting on a couch watching the Los Angeles Lakers, when her dad told her to pay close attention to … She was asked recently by assistant coach Jamelle Elliott about one day becoming a coach. She hit a 3-pointer, stole the inbounds pass and laid it in. One of her best friends, 2018-19 high school player of the year Azzi Fudd, has been recruited to join her at UConn next season and she's looking forward to that partnership and to playing in front of UConn fans once the pandemic is over. The 19-year-old freshman has already hit 3-pointers that sealed wins against rival Tennessee and then-No. Twitter Facebook Email. “Most of the iconic freshman who’ve come in here have been surrounded by kids that had already been All-Americans,” he said. I’m not that cocky, so if anyone talks to me about garbage, I’ll talk about trash.” Eighteen gams into her college career at the top women's program of all time, Bueckers has already set records. To Auriemma, she plays with a calmness that reminds him of NFL great Jim Brown setting up his blocks before exploding through a hole. Lobo said she has been impressed by Bueckers' confidence and ability to get her teammates to listen to her, something Lobo and other stars at Connecticut weren't asked to do until they were upperclassmen. Bueckers drops 30 in UConn's rout of Marquette on the road (1:21) Paige Bueckers puts up a monster 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting as UConn handles Marquette on the road 87-58. Legal Statement. FILE - Connecticut guard Nika Muhl (10) hugs guard Paige Bueckers (5) after defeating South Carolina in overtime of an NCAA college basketball game in Storrs, Conn., in this Monday, Feb. 8, … facebook twitter reddit link It was a matchup between No. But Geno Auriemma said he has asked her to do more than star players such as Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore or Breanna Stewart needed to do in their first years. She got a lethal combo, that’s for sure.". In Storrs, Connecticut, the legend of freshman Paige Bueckers … She was asked recently by assistant coach Jamelle Elliott about one day becoming a coach. By Ricky O'Donnell Feb 9, 2021, 11:56am EST "Every hour of every single day, I always wanted to have a basketball in my hand," she said. As if she had made 11 of her first 12 shots and not missed 11 of 12. "You have to take it, swallow it and get better from it.". The coach said he has been impressed by the way his freshman star studies the game. She hit a 3-pointer, stole the inbounds pass and laid it in. Connecticut is a modern powerhouse that brings No. He recalls his daughter spending hours practicing her dribbling in the community garage under her family’s condominium in suburban Minneapolis. Paige Bueckers (5), who had 19 points Friday night, is a star in the classroom too. UConn freshman Paige Bueckers will miss Saturday’s game against Georgetown because of an ankle injury, the program said. "It just means a whole lot to me for me to be able to be there for my team, especially when they are counting on me to hit those shots," Bueckers explained. Paige Bueckers was about 7, sitting on a couch watching the Los Angeles Lakers, when her dad told her to pay close attention to Kobe Bryant because he was such a clutch player. Her 31-point effort against the Gamecocks was the her third straight game scoring at least 30, something no other UConn player — including Taurasi, Moore or Stewart — has ever done. 1 draft picks. She is the fourth straight Gatorade high school player of the year to join UConn and the 11th since 1997. The UConn star swept the Big East’s weekly awards Monday, winning both player of the week and freshman of the week. It wasn't luck, Bob Bueckers said. ©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. Paige Bueckers was about 7, sitting on a couch watching the Los Angeles Lakers, when her dad told her to pay close attention to Kobe Bryant because he was such a clutch player. "So for her to grow and feel comfortable to say to a junior, ‘This is what you need to do or this is what they are doing and this is how we counter it,' to be that voice in the huddle is important.". We don’t know if there’s another term for swaggy, but we think that’s what people mean. With the shot clock about to expire and her team ahead by a single point in overtime, Paige Bueckers threw up a long 3-pointer that hit the back of the rim and bounced high into the air. But she said she plans to earn her degree at UConn before moving on to fulfill her dream of playing professionally. When she wasn’t there or in a nearby park shooting, she was in her room, working on her form or jumping up against a wall trying to improve her vertical leap, she said. MINNEAPOLIS - Just when you think Paige Bueckers has done it all, she keeps making more big shots in big moments. The 19-year-old freshman has already hit 3-pointers that sealed wins against rival Tennessee and then-No. It wasn't luck, Bob Beuckers said. Help ensure MPR remains a resource that brings Minnesotans together. Facebook Twitter Email Comments MILWAUKEE (AP) — Freshman Paige Bueckers scored 30 points to lead No. She’s been named the Big East’s player and freshman of the week for two consecutive weeks. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; Paige Bueckers is still more than a month away from playing her first game for … Paige Bueckers was about 7, sitting on a couch watching the Los Angeles Lakers, when her dad told her to pay close attention to Kobe Bryant because he was such a clutch player. Paige Bueckers was about 7, sitting on a couch watching the Los Angeles Lakers, when her dad told her to pay close attention to Kobe Bryant because he was such a clutch player. Twitter Facebook Email. But she said she plans to earn her degree at UConn before moving on to fulfill her dream of playing professionally. 3 UConn to an 87-58 win on Friday night over Marquette in a … 1 South Carolina. The Hopkins High School graduate is the fourth straight Gatorade high school player of the year to join UConn and the 11th since 1997. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Lobo said she has been impressed by Bueckers' confidence and ability to get her teammates to listen to her, something Lobo and other stars at Connecticut weren't asked to do until they were upperclassmen. But Geno Auriemma said he has asked her to do more than star players such as Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore or Breanna Stewart needed to do in their first years. Paige asked what that meant and Bob Bueckers explained that Bryant played his best when his team needed him the most. "That will always be in the back of my head, because I never want to get away from basketball," she said. Paige Bueckers is living up to the hype and rewriting the UConn record books The UConn freshman is special. Paige Bueckers was about 7, sitting on a couch watching the Los Angeles Lakers, when her dad told her to pay close attention to Kobe Bryant because he was such a clutch player. 1 South Carolina 63-59 in overtime Monday night in a battle of nonconference women's … Her 31-point effort against the Gamecocks was the her third straight game scoring at least 30, something no other UConn player — including Taurasi, Moore or Stewart — has ever done. 1 high school recruits to campus and sends them off as No. “So for her to grow and feel comfortable to say to a junior, ‘This is what you need to do or this is what they are doing and this is how we counter it,' to be that voice in the huddle is important.". Money. "She celebrates her teammates more than she ever celebrates herself and that is the kind of teammate that is really, really easy to like," she said. STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Paige Bueckers scored 31 points, including her team’s final 13, to lead No. Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers, right, shoots against Seton Hall guard Mya Jackson (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Feb. 10 in Storrs, Conn. She can remember a game when she was a third grader, playing on a fifth-grade team that was losing by five points with about seven seconds to go. 2, but ultimately, it came down to one player. She’s been named the Big East’s player and freshman of the week for two consecutive weeks. One of her best friends, 2018-19 high school player of the year Azzi Fudd, has been recruited to join her at UConn next season and she's looking forward to that partnership and to playing in front of UConn fans once the pandemic is over. Bueckers has heard the talk that she would be an WNBA lottery pick as soon as she is eligible. “But I told (Elliott) that kids don't listen well enough and I don't have the patience.”. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. She can remember a game when she was a third grader, playing on a fifth-grade team that was losing by five points with about seven seconds to go. Bueckers became a leader early. "She is blessed with not only talent, but a mind for the game, confidence and athleticism. "She’s that player that comes along that people talk about — ‘Hey did you see that kid from Connecticut?’ She’s that kid.". “I'm just trying to prove him wrong and make him be quiet sometimes,” she said. 2 Connecticut knocked off visiting No. Paige Bueckers Twitter: Instagram: Paige Bueckers Instagram: View more / View less Facts of Paige Bueckers: Paige Bueckers (20 th October 2001 in Edina, Minnesota, the United States) is an American college basketball player for the UConn Huskies of the Big East Conference. A gift of $17 makes a difference. Paige Bueckers was about 7, sitting on a couch watching the Los Angeles Lakers, when her dad told her to pay close attention to Kobe Bryant because he was such a clutch player. No, Paige Bueckers’ mind stayed straight and when the moment mattered most, with the UConn lead down to two and the shot clock down to one, so was the freshman’s shot. "She’s that player," he said. “That will always be in the back of my head, because I never want to get away from basketball,” she said. She said she enjoys being challenged, and knows that is what her 66-year-old coach is doing when he gets on her in practice, calling her a "walking turnover" or asking if she plans to hit any shots that day. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; Editor's note: Paige Bueckers was named the Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year on Friday. ©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. She also played soccer and baseball (she liked that better than softball), where her dad said she excelled as a pitcher, catcher and shortstop with extraordinary hand-eye coordination. Bueckers bounced a pass over to Olivia Nelson-Ododa. The Huskies’ current freshman class - led by Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards, Mir McLean, and Nika Muhl - has shown through 13 games that they get it. "But I told (Elliott) that kids don't listen well enough and I don't have the patience.". They had what is their finest two hours as a group Wednesday in a 94-62 Big East home win over St. John’s. She's also thought about her future after basketball and is considering a degree in communications and sports broadcasting. UConn announced she … Paige Bueckers is living up to the hype and rewriting the UConn record books The UConn freshman is special. Also absent is sophomore Anna Makurat. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; Editor's note: Paige Bueckers was named the Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year on Friday. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM. Fox News Flash top headlines for February 18. David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports As with most things Paige Bueckers, there was some sorcery involved. All rights reserved. 1 and No. 2 Connecticut knocked off visiting No. Paige Bueckers scored 31 points as No. “She celebrates her teammates more than she ever celebrates herself and that is the kind of teammate that is really, really easy to like,” she said. “She’s that player,” he said. With the shot clock about to expire and her team ahead by a single point in overtime, Paige Bueckers threw up a long 3-pointer that hit the back of the rim and bounced high into the air. To Auriemma, she plays with a calmness that reminds him of NFL great Jim Brown setting up his blocks before exploding through a hole. "Most of the iconic freshman who’ve come in here have been surrounded by kids that had already been All-Americans," he said. Former UConn star and now ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo said that may be one reason those players accept her has a leader, despite her youth. She's also thought about her future after basketball and is considering a degree in communications and sports broadcasting. Donate today. UConn freshman Paige Bueckers will miss Saturday’s game against Georgetown because of an ankle injury, the program said. “It’s in her DNA for sure, being able to do what she does,” Bob Bueckers said. “You just want to get Paige the ball,” Nelson-Ododa said. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Bueckers deflects praise, instead crediting her teammates, coaches and a deep faith in God for her success. “She was carrying us.” Beal dashed out to Bueckers, got a hand in her face. The UConn women's basketball program never lacks for talent or star power. Bueckers became a leader early. "It’s in her DNA for sure, being able to do what she does," Bob Bueckers said. Monday night, she did it on the national stage as No. She made Dean’s List her first semester at UConn. You make MPR News possible. (Rafael Suanes / Georgetown Athletics) She leads the nation in 3-point shooting, hitting just under 56 percent of her attempts and is UConn's leader in scoring (21.1 points per game), minutes played (36.5), assists (100) and steals (40). Bueckers and Auriemma also seem to understand each other. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. He said Every single day, I always wanted to have a basketball in my hand, ” Lobo.... They had what is their finest two hours as a group Wednesday in a Big! Boston went directly to Liv, who took a dribble, turned and back! Like to show You a description here but the site won ’ t us. Lose. `` scored 31 points as No by the way his freshman star studies the game confidence... 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